My brother, the youngest in our family of seven, and I are separated by some 20 years. We have had several conversations about abortion. I sensed during these discussions that he felt I didn't understand his commitment to the less fortunate because of my singular focus on the injustice of abortion. His love for me was obvious, and his disappointment with my rigid position on abortion was accepted with a patronizing nod of the head. It seemed to me that my brother attempted to convince me that his efforts were a bit more important than mine. On reflection, I, too, was trying to make a "convert":
"Can't you see that acceptance of abortion is a new violence? It is different from poverty, bigotry, and other human exploitations because it is all of them wrapped up in one very convenient package. The poor, the despised, the 'less than perfect' will not even survive long enough to be visible if abortion is accepted as a 'solution' to problems that society won't face." I thought my case was strong.
My brother responded, "Sure, abortion isn't a 'solution'; but why don't you care for those you can see as much as you do for those you can't?"
Now that stopped me. Could it be true that I didn't care about the born as much as the unborn? Why haven't I spent the time, energy, and money fighting other injustices in any manner that compares to my investment in fighting abortion? The answer came with no comfort. I had been dulled to those violences. They were a part of "life." They had always been there--a part of the "human condition." I began to realize my responsibilities in a broader sense.
I have noticed the quiet evolution taking place in the minds and hearts of pro-life people. Polls indicate that the pro-life movement is in large part composed of working people, somewhat apolitical, family-oriented, church-going--in other words, people who have given their share to sustain their lives and this country. They are a mighty force when they decide to do something. They have decided to do something about abortion. I believe they will succeed. But, they will not stop with the Human Life Amendment. A new force is being built. It will coalesce around the other issues of social justice and human dignity. The synergistic effect of this coalition will produce a power for good that few of us appreciate now.
Ann O'Donnell headed the Political Action Committee of Missouri Citizens For Life in Kansas City when this article appeared.
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