April 27, 2012

By Sean Nahlik

Yes, I want to talk about what transpired on Lowry Mall this week. No, not the freedom people. No, not Sustain Mizzou’s non-threatening educational events. You know what I’m talking about.

Preface: I do not have a vagina, so I feel less entitled to an opinion regarding abortion than those endowed with them. That being said, I consider myself pro-choice and will not pretend I can write this column without my own biases filtering in. I am not interested in having a for/against abortion debate in 600 words. I am taking one stance today: The [Genocide Awareness Project](www.abortionno.org/gap.html) brought psychological turmoil to Mizzou, creating unnecessary tension in what could have been a beautiful week on campus.

Those graphic images on Lowry Mall on Monday and Tuesday were not random productions. The ORG-recognized campus organization, Mizzou Students for Life (a chapter of [Students for Life of America](< http://studentsforlife.org/>)), facilitated the setup of GAP in the center of campus.

Normally, I’m all about people who are concerned with human rights, injustice and the betterment of the planet. Mizzou Students for Life, in its mission to “end abortion by educating students,” jumped past the realm of activism into the pit of propaganda and extremism.

People—not just Mizzou students, but faculty and staff as well—were triggered by the crude displays. Not triggered as in epiphany, i.e. “Oh, this was an educational, rational communication of your opinion, I have been swayed into believing what you believe.” Triggered as in there was psychological damage done to many who encountered the GAP.

Who could possibly be triggered by photos of mutilated babies, miscarriages, abortions, lynching and Nazi/Holocaust depictions? Oh, I don’t know, maybe women who have had abortions or miscarriages? Maybe people with connections to historical (and current) lynching? Maybe those who lost their families to genocide, such as the one in Rwanda or the Holocaust? I want to know who possesses the gall to interpret their right to free speech as the right to harm those with difficult experiences. Apparently, Mizzou Students for Life, that’s who.

I am not denying this student organization their opinion. You think abortion is genocide? Okay. I may disagree, but you are allowed to organize around that belief and to express it. What pissed me the hell off is how derisive the method for “education” was. Showing bloody babies in the center of campus delivers a polarizing message. The last time I checked, alienating your target market, i.e. casual voters and established pro-choicers, is not exactly an effective marketing strategy.

One positive note on all of this: I am thoroughly pleased with the campus administrators, departments (I see you, Student Life), etc., who were worried about students’ reactions to GAP’s presence at Mizzou. It was such a concern that counselors were stationed in Speaker’s Circle to help anyone who was upset. That display of responsibility for the Mizzou family gives me hope.

So, Mizzou Students for Life, you want people to understand your message? Here are some ideas. Host a forum on abortion, bringing both sides to the table. If you provide a balanced approach to discussion, your agenda will be less terrifying. Utilize less propaganda (graphic depictions of dead babies and incorrect/offensive comparisons to genocide) and more constructive information. Casual opinion-holders appreciate non-militant marketing strategies, so consider dropping phrases like “We need to build our army!” from your ORGSync.

Currently, your organization is nothing but a polarizing collective bent on further dividing this campus. The recent GAP demonstration only created an unsafe atmosphere for discussion, encouraged the shaming of women and painted an awful portrait of Mizzou to prospective students.