Jackson Free Press

Each time I see activists gnashing their teeth and praying outside the abortion clinic in Fondren, I feel an intense sadness. Neglecting to explore the reasons why a woman would choose to terminate her pregnancy is to forsake our responsibility to create an environment suitable for future generations.

A pregnant women cannot count on child care or maternity leave in our society. How can a single woman make the decision to conceive a baby knowing that she cannot afford to miss work? How can people yell at women while providing zero support for community programs? How can people justify spending so much time planting little crosses in the lawn at the Capitol rather than walking inside and demanding that these issues be addressed? Part of nurturing children is to make provision for independent mothers.

Propagating ignorance about our sexuality can only ensure that people will continue to have sex irresponsibly. There is no honest discourse from the state about sexuality and its relationship with self-respect and control. Sex has become more a product of advertising than a sacred human relationship. What are we doing to address this cultural mystification and exploitation of our most intimate contact? Absolutely nothing. Schools should facilitate inter-gender discussions on sex and its implications, because most people never even have this conversation with their partners. Our fear to speak of these things has created a truly frightening situation.

We need some peace in this discussion. We must first respect each others' decisions. We must be willing to ask and answer questions honestly. Making abortion illegal won't make this world any safer for potentially viable human beings. It only makes abortions more expensive for affluent women and more dangerous for the poor. It also sets quite a precedent. What penalties should there be for consuming potentially dangerous substances while pregnant, such as aspirin or pesticide-laden fruit? We must respect the rights of human beings over their bodies.

Attempting to force women to birth a child does nothing for the livelihood of this growing individual. Social provisions are minimal, as reflected in the scant resources we provide our dedicated public school teachers, the amount of control we allow commercial entities to exercise over growing minds and the way we teach through fear and reward. Concentrating on bringing every last conception into this world rather than ensuring love and respect to each individual in our community is backward. To end the cycle, we must create better ways to prevent unwanted pregnancy from occurring through education, research and honest, respectful discussion. We must empower individuals with knowledge rather than legislating behavior.

I'm not sure if I should take time out of my day to go and stand at the abortion clinic to give support to these women. Am I even wanted, or would it just make it that much more of a battle? Would I even be safe as a supporter outside the fence? If abortion became illegal, would the activists go home, mission accomplished? Or would they become even more vigilante, taking law enforcement into their own hands? How can we come together in dialogue rather than wrangle over a series of legal rulings?
— Daniel Johnson, Jackson

Juneteenth Matters

The signing of the Declaration of Emancipation is an American national celebration. The historical significance of this important event marks the American character, where we pass on our passion for justice as an integral heritage of the democratic project.

Community celebrations of Juneteenth (to commemorate the end of slavery) display our passion in festive modalities. Jackson Juneteenth organizers made a grave mistake in requesting an entrance fee of $5 and $10 for the June 16-18 Juneteenth events held at the City Zoo. All citizens should be urged to participate in these celebrations as they are nation- and community-building activities.

The event was poorly attended, unpatriotic and badly organized. What were they thinking? Could they not see that it would be inappropriate to charge an entrance fee to Fourth of July celebrations? It is time for the Jackson city government to correct these wrongs, take action, and foster and build these important heritage events in the dignified manner that they deserve.
— Dr. BJ Luchion, Camden

She Is a Lawyer, After All

I disagree with your assessment of Ann Coulter and your comparison of her with Molly Ivins ("Clinton, Coulter and Me," June 28). You obviously have read none of Ann's books that contain extensive references and to say otherwise is baseless. But to say Ivins is a "hardnosed journalist who does heavy research and bases her opinion on fact," and to somehow twist Coulter's writings into the opposite is disgusting. Is the wonderful Ms. Ivins a lawyer as well?

There's your difference. Coulter is a trained lawyer and knows how to tie a fact to an outcome. Journalists take a fact and then project what they think or hope the outcome could or hopefully should be in a perfect world. This is why news and info junkies are turning away in droves from the "mainstream" media.
— John Walker, Brandon

See the online version of this editorial at jacksonfreepress.com for links to details about Coulter's plagiarism and factual "errors." — Ed.

The Jackson Free Press welcomes letters to the editor—so much so that every month, another lucky gadfly will win a free JFP T-shirt. Send letters to the editor to [e-mail missing], fax us at 601-510-9019 or send snail mail to P.O. Box 2047, Jackson, MS 39225.

Previous Comments

ID

73146

Comment

I was confused about the Juneteenth thing until I realized it's now July. Anyway...

Author

Ironghost

Date

2006-07-12T17:22:54-06:00