Many of us have already walked by the giant posters put up on our campus about every year about anti abortion propaganda. I wanted to bring up a conversation about the tactics used to get provoked attitudes toward the issue. The genocide Awareness Project is the project currently displaying what many consider crude and horrific visuals of genocide from the Holocaust and comparing it to the amount of abortions that happen today. The prolife website says that the college campus is the most opportune place to teach college students about what they see as the truth about abortion. “The college campus is an incredible place to educate our nation's young people about abortion. Throughout history, our centers of learning have been seen as a "marketplace of ideas," where students are taught to think freely. What better place than this to encourage our young people to look beyond what culture tells them about abortion? What better place to show them the truth?” I am not going to write about my stance on the subject, I just think it is interesting that this group is promoting “the truth”. What I believe defines the truth is an individual’s ideals and values that they develop through education. There are many sides to truth and with one group promoting their side of the truth there should be the other side to contradict next to them, so that our students can determine truth for themselves. As I walked around campus today I heard multiple conversations about the project on campus. In this effect the project is doing its job, it is getting people talking and developing their truth in themselves. I have heard multiple sides argue as I pass by and although the murals are gruesome it is promoting thought process, which is what college is about. The pictures displayed are practically unavoidable. For many, abortion is a term avoided or unknown and this project as extreme as it is, is making the effects of abortion know, but what about the other side? Is there a voice for those who are pro choice to have a display? Another thing that I wanted to bring up is, is the depiction of Holocaust genocide really necessary for anti-abortion propaganda? I think that the pictures of the unborn fetus are enough for my understanding, although many do compare the numbers of abortions to other historical genocide of human life. The posters provide for an educational moment to define their own truth, but how can true truth be determined if all angles of the subject are not provided for discussion?
http://www.prolifeoncampus.com/home
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I have not yet seen these posters, but have heard much about them. I honestly hope not to see them. I agree with Jared in that colleges are optimal forums for people to express a broad range of ideas, and feel comfortable doing so under the protection of free speech and academic freedom. Colleges are also targeted for these sorts of protests because they are public spaces with a relatively large population. Many other public spaces do not have the traffic college campuses have. And, there is no way these protesters can set up shop on many private properties.
ReplyDeleteCreating discourse and discussion is good, and that is what the collegiate experience is about. Unfortunately, people who sponsor events like this, with egregious visuals have other intentions. They want to stir controversy on sensitive subjects. Rarely does setting up huge posters of aborted fetuses bring rational discussion, but rather heated and angry arguments.
Walking through campus yesterday I saw this exhibit and was horrified that campus administrators would allow this display without having a counter voice present. The display is a shameless attempt to propagandize students and alter their thinking. And it is extremely effective. I saw students going up to the exhibit yet I saw far more standing around within view, clustered and in conversation. When one opinion is so openly favored it is of course going to influence perceptions. Would I feel this way if it were a prochoice exhibit? Yes--even news stations are required to give balanced coverage to both sides of political issues. Our campus should adhere to the same maxim. I agree with Chris that the ultimate outcome of this exhibit is anger, anger, and more anger.
ReplyDeleteThis is exhibit has made an appearance on campus every year since I have been here and every year it absolutely disgusts me. I agree with Laura that if this is allowed to be on campus, there should be a counter voice.
ReplyDeleteThis exhibit did cause a lot of discussion among the students I work with, both in person and online. Many students had written things on facebook about how they felt about what was going on and how they were disappointed in the campus that allowed this to take place. Every year, we give our staff a heads up that this is going to be on campus, so that we can warn our students to avoid this exhibit if they don't want to see the graphic pictures. However, not everyone has the luxury of knowing what is going on before they get there.
I agree that free speech is important, however, I don't think something like this should be allowed on campus.