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Pro: Reclaiming Abortion Rights
Pro: Reclaiming Abortion Rights | Katha Pollitt
27 posts | 22 read | 83 to read
A POWERFUL ARGUMENT FOR ABORTION AS A MORAL RIGHT AND SOCIAL GOOD BY A NOTED FEMINIST AND LONGTIME COLUMNIST FOR THE NATION Forty years after the landmark Roe v. Wade ruling, "abortion" is still a word that is said with outright hostility by many, despite the fact that one in three American women will have terminated at least one pregnancy by menopause. Even those who support a woman's right to an abortion often qualify their support by saying abortion is a "bad thing," an "agonizing decision," making the medical procedure so remote and radioactive that it takes it out of the world of the everyday, turning an act that is normal and necessary into something shameful and secretive. Meanwhile, with each passing day, the rights upheld by the Supreme Court are being systematically eroded by state laws designed to end abortion outright. In this urgent, controversial book, Katha Pollitt reframes abortion as a common part of a woman's reproductive life, one that should be accepted as a moral right with positive social implications. In Pro, Pollitt takes on the personhood argument, reaffirms the priority of a woman's life and health, and discusses why terminating a pregnancy can be a force for good for women, families, and society. It is time, Pollitt argues, that we reclaim the lives and the rights of women and mothers.
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Amiable
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Through sun, sleet, snow and rain —lots and LOTS of rain—Planned Parenthood is here to provide healthcare for all who need it regardless of income level. And volunteer escorts are here to help you navigate access past the protesters who want to take those rights away from you. (Did I mention all the rain? 😖)

TrishB 😘😘 4y
squirrelbrain 👍 Go you! I don‘t think you mentioned the rain, but I love the umbrella anyway...! 4y
Karisa 💗 4y
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Amiable @squirrelbrain On the other panels there is a picture of a black cat face just staring at you. My favorite umbrella ever. 😀 4y
Hollie ♥️♥️♥️ 4y
AmyG 🙌🏻❤️ 4y
ljuliel ♥️♥️♥️ 4y
Tamra 👏🏾 4y
Eggbeater Thank you ❤ 4y
Branwen Thank you so much for doing this. You're an angel, my friend. 💕 4y
LauraJ 🖤🖤🖤 4y
sprainedbrain Thank you! 💖 4y
readordierachel ❤❤❤ 4y
62 likes13 comments
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Amiable
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Stopped at a local library‘s book sale on my way home from volunteering this morning.
Tiny elderly woman at the cash register: “I like your hat.”
Me, surprised and not really sure why I am: “Thank you! I volunteer as an escort at the clinic on the weekends.”
Tiny elderly woman: “Good for you, dear!”
(Silence)
Tiny elderly woman: “Can you believe we‘re still fighting this shit after all these years?”
Me: “No. No, ma‘am, I can‘t.”
😢

sprainedbrain That‘s wonderful! ❤️ 🙌🏻 5y
Kayla.Adriena What an awesome conversation!! 5y
Hollie That‘s awesome! Keep up the good work! 💪🏻 5y
See All 9 Comments
Theaelizabet 👏👏👏👏👏 5y
JacqMac ❤️ 💕 5y
RvnclawWhovian Thank you for doing what you do!! 5y
CarolynM I can't believe it either☹️ 5y
JanuarieTimewalker13 ✊🏽❤️ 5y
77 likes9 comments
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Owlizabeth
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Current armchair situation, because I‘m a fickle one... #currentlyreading

JSW So many times my couch looks like this 😂😂😂 5y
59 likes1 comment
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Amiable
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Spending the holiday weekend doing my small part to make sure women in the U.S. still have access to safe, affordable health care. What are YOU doing to make a difference in the world today?

#MakeADifference #TakeAction #BeTheChange

CarolynM Well done, you👏👍✊ 5y
Samplergal ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️ 5y
Theaelizabet 👏👏👏👏👏 5y
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Rachel.Rencher I love it! 👏❤❤ 5y
OrangeMooseReads 👏🏽👍🏼🙌🏽 5y
Emilymdxn This is great! Well done! Gives me life to see people doing this stuff 5y
AmyG 👊🏻❤️ 5y
Aimeesue Thank you. ❤️ 5y
JennyM So much love for this - thankyou for making a difference 😘😘😘 5y
Leftcoastzen ❤️👏👏👏👏 5y
Bklover Thank you!!!! ❤️👍 5y
73 likes12 comments
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Weaponxgirl
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https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/may/26/ireland-votes-by-landslide-to-lega...
I just want to take a moment to say congratulations Ireland! A landslide vote to legalise abortion! I'm proud and happy for you all. You have restored some of my faith in humanity in what has been rocky times politically recently
#womensrights #prochoice

Bibliogeekery ✊✊🏼✊🏾✊🏿🎉🎉🎉💖 6y
Weaponxgirl @Bibliogeekery I've been so happy since 6y
Bibliogeekery @Weaponxgirl me too! And the #hometovote thread on Twitter had me in tears multiple times yesterday! 6y
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Weaponxgirl @Bibliogeekery I'm not on Twitter but I bet that was inspirational! 6y
Bibliogeekery It really was! 6y
batsy 💚💚 6y
43 likes6 comments
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saguarosally
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Back to #laundroreading. I am so getting a washer.

cherinium Been there. The only advantage of laundromats is getting all of the laundry done at once. 6y
RebL That takes me back to when we went to Free-dry Wednesday.” We tend to call places by the deal, such as “Let‘s go to Kids Eat Free Tuesday.” @cherinium is right; at least it‘s done all at once. 6y
Reggie I was doing this today because there was a leak in our house getting fixed. Good times. Lol. 6y
50 likes3 comments
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AEBowenPhD
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Oh my gosh, we're close to raising one million dollars nationwide for abortion access! Can you help us get there with a donation to the D.C. abortion fund? Let's keep choice accessible, not just theoretically available. https://bowl.nnaf.org/fundraiser/920487

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Manieschaef
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Pickpick

Just one example of some of the gems in this book. Pollitt has gotten me all fired up about choice. Well researched and thought-provoking. Only criticism - not a fan of the chapter that is addressed entirely to "you in the muddled middle." Does the author honestly think the reader is likely to be on the fence? I'm on your side, Katha.

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sherrynuts
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😳 I did not realize the Catholic Church owned one-sixth of all American hospitals. Wow.

catieohjoy The podcast CHOICE/LESS has been talking a lot about the role of Catholic hospitals in limiting access to reproductive healthcare, if you're interested in learning more. Fascinating stuff! 7y
sherrynuts @catieohjoy I am interested, thank you! I'll check it out this weekend. 7y
16 likes2 comments
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maximoffs
Pickpick

My first book for my Progressive Postal Book Club. Wonderful pick. It was really interesting without being preachy, and I honestly learned a whole lot about how to be a better advocate. Excited to get my next book!

8little_paws Progressive postal book club sounds great! 7y
maximoffs @8little_paws I started it post election on Facebook. It's so cool! 7y
Chrissyreadit What an awesome idea! 7y
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EKonrad This sounds really cool. Is there a way to join? 7y
maximoffs @Chrissyreadit thank you! @Ekonrad I'm sorry :( we're a closed group. Because we send a book each month to the next person in line we had to make it a closed circle. 7y
EKonrad Oh that makes sense. Sounds awesome though! 😊 7y
maximoffs @Ekonrad if I do another round I will for sure let you know! And I'll be posting my reviews here. My pick for the club was 7y
emilyesears This sounds fascinating--my library has it so I'll have to check it out!! 7y
Yellowpigeon I'm glad you're posting the books here so I can join the book club from the sidelines. Definitely would job the next one 7y
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review
kristenmcquinn
Pickpick

I thought this book was exceptionally well written and researched and ought to be required reading for all, especially those who claim to be pro life. Pollitt breaks down each and every one of the arguments people try to use against abortion with actual facts and logic. Highly recommended.

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DyAnne
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Paula3
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Every page so far has highlights. 💜💛💙👧💪

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maximoffs
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This whole paragraph is fire.

BookishFeminist 🙌🏼🙌🏼🙌🏼 7y
OrangeMooseReads 👏🙌🏽👏🙌🏽👏🙌🏽🙌🏽👏👏 7y
TheNextBook 😳 So much in that paragraph just really needed to be said! 👏🏽 7y
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Suet624 ❤️ 7y
drokka That is a brilliantly thought out statement. 7y
Chris That's great 7y
saresmoore 🙌 This is almost the exact same argument I made to a friend today. It's about so much more! 7y
Laura317 And sometimes we mean that abortion is a bad thing. It's cruel and inhuman to kill a fetus. 7y
LeahsBookNest 👏🏾👏🏾 7y
EllanaRose Their body, their choice 7y
WarpedSweetness That is an awesome paragraph. I'm so glad I read this. 7y
Paula3 Awesome 7y
Loretta 👏🏻👏🏻🙌🏻 7y
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BookishFeminist
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Post 1/3. Today is the anniversary of Roe v. Wade, which is particularly apt after yesterday's #WomensMarch. Women's healthcare & reproductive choice are stigmatized even when access to healthcare leads to decrease in abortions. Well-meaning pro-choice women often add to stigma. To honor Roe v. Wade, here are books that discuss reproductive choice to #AborttheStigma. No matter where you stand, these books are a great place to expand your mind. 🚺

DyAnne Love Pro. Got to see Pollitt in Seattle. 7y
Laura317 I'm a pro-life. I am sorry, but I just can't see calling the termination of a pregnancy a human right. 7y
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literarymermaid Thanks for the list! This is one of those subjects I am woefully behind on. 7y
BookishFeminist @laura317 Reproductive choice is a human right. This encompasses far more than abortion. Have you read up on circumstances where women's lives are physically endangered by carrying a pregnancy to term or where the baby would not survive birth? This is why choice is important & it isn't a choice women take lightly. I don't agree with regulating what women should do with their bodies bc they will be the ones to undergo bodily & emotional harm. 7y
BookishFeminist @Laura317 I am only trying to open up discussion here not attack your viewpoints. There are many levels to this discussion and I do not agree with equating "pro-choice" with "pro abortion," and that's what it sounds like you're saying, and while access to abortion is part of it, choice is the crux here. Letting women decide what is best for their lives and bodies. I also believe access to quality adoption/foster services needs to be part of it. 7y
BookishFeminist @DyAnne Politt is wonderful. I would love to see her in person and keep having my eyes open for events. I have a copy of the book @beaniebankbeth got for me when I see her next! 7y
BookishFeminist @StoredFeminism Of course! I need to do more reading on it too because it's incredibly complicated. 7y
Laura317 @BookishFeminist I love a good discussion. We have reproductive choice, don't we? We have access to birth control, and thanks to President Obama, we have affordable health care. Abortion to save the life of a mother was legal BEFORE Roe vs Wade The % of abortions performed to save the life of the mother is less than 1% - a rarity. The overwhelming majority of abortions performed are on an elective basis based on economic reasons and convenience. 7y
Laura317 @BookishFeminist It would seem to me that no ones reproductive rights are violated. If you want to talk where reproductive rights ARE in jeopardy, let's discuss China - where there are forced abortions and forced sterilization. I totally agree with you on foster care/adoption. That's why we adopted two children. I like that we can have civil and thoughtful discussions about issues like this and still be friends at the end of the day. 7y
BookishFeminist @Laura317 I don't agree with China's law either. Abortion was illegal w/o exception in 30 states prior to Roe v. Wade incl life/health of mother. Many anti-choice policies are against preventative care, & those rights are threatened & deeply stigmatized. What about rape? That's something that has very strongly not held up legally. Anti-choice & forced abortion laws both place the lives of women inferior to other lives of pre-viable fetuses. (edited) 7y
BookishFeminist @Laura317 but this is the kind of stuff that adds to stigma. In a world where our resources are already strapped to provide for the population we currently have, I don't think economic strain & women's health aren't legitimate reasons to terminate a pregnancy. Women's lives matter as well, & their decisions and choices should be protected because they should have access to any type of decision that is best for their life and family. (edited) 7y
BookishFeminist @Laura317 Not to mention it is a painful procedure. It's not a decision one makes lightly. Access to options and choices decreases the number of abortions, whereas regulating it harms women. Abortion rates are at an all time low & have declined steadily for 3 decades. Abortions will always happen whether you agree with it or not, but providing services that allow them to happen safely and with proper education is a health and life-saving measure. (edited) 7y
thealidoyle @Laura317 Many states are enacting laws that severely restrict access to not just abortion services, but all services. When states enact laws where only 4 places in the state are allowed to perform abortions, this limits access, particularly for poor women we cannot afford the travel to get a safe abortion. These women may turn to self abortive methods that impact their safety. 7y
thealidoyle @Laura317 and I don't think it is fair to judge someone for their choice based on economic standards. Children are expensive. Birthing children is expensive. Many many insurance companies only cover 70% of the cost of pre and perinatal services, leaving women with thousands of dollars in medical bills that they cannot afford to pay. Even if they put the baby up for adoption in the end, they can end up with upwards of 30k in medical bills. 7y
thealidoyle @Laura317 That is NOT convenience, that is life or death for some. I have never been in the position of having to choose between going to the doctor and eatong but I know people who have. And that is just going to the doctor for a cold, let alone an ultrasound. 7y
thealidoyle @Laura317 Beyond that, some people really do not WANT to be parents. They should not be shamed for that. That is also not a choice of convenience. 7y
thealidoyle @Laura317 if I were to get pregnant, I would likely choose to have an abortion. I am on necessary medication that would cause severe birth defects. I am bipolar and know I would not be able to cope with the hormone changes related to pregnancy. Post partum depression or manic episodes are almost a guarantee for me and those are dangerous for me and any child I birth. 7y
Laura317 @thealidoyle So what you are saying is that it's ok to kill a person because someone doesn't want to be a parent. Poverty, rape, and disability does not justify the killing of a baby. And yes, that human embryo is human. It's a different degree of human - at no time are they non-human. As for states enacting laws to protect the ones that truly have no voice, I applaud them. The right to not be killed is not equal to the right to not be pregnant. 7y
Laura317 @thealidoyle No states are restricting women's healthcare. There are thousand of doctor's, clinics, all over the USA. That argument is invalid. 7y
BookishFeminist @Laura317 That came across pretty disrespectfully, Laura. I don't condone that. You don't have to agree but do not attack or shame others for their viewpoints when they are expressing opinions and reporting facts. 7y
BookishFeminist @Laura317 Plenty of states are restricting women's healthcare. See: South Dakota and Texas. Congress is also currently trying to. Ohio tried to last year. So legally speaking, your statement is false. Not attacking but please do not insert false facts. (edited) 7y
BookishFeminist @Laura317 I find it very disheartening you think that a rape should ruin a woman's life beyond the trauma she already faces after the event. I will never agree with that stance and it is directly harmful for victims of sexual assault and forcing them into a life they have not chosen. Your arguments go counter to accepted science, and that's fine, but I ask you also recognize and respect the harm that causes women & their children. 7y
Laura317 @BookishFeminist I have not put any false facts out there. There are 13,540 federally-qualified, high quality health care clinics that give women choices to health care. That is a fact. As far as shaming, I never shamed anyone at any time. All I did was put forth my opinion and valid facts. It's obvious that I won't change your opinion or heart on this. You won't change mine either. Perhaps it's best to let this thread die. 7y
BookishFeminist @Laura317 You did state incorrect facts, Laura. States do restrict healthcare & you stated to the contrary. Existence of health clinics does not mean it isn't also restricted in many respects, & it's a logical fallacy to continue down that path. You stated that @thealidoyle's argument is invalid. That's a shaming tool. I can't speak for her but I never set out to change your opinion but feel you tried to do that when you could have ignored my post 7y
thealidoyle @Laura317 1. States have shut down clinics. Texas tried limit abortions to 4 providers in the entire state. I don't know if you have realized this but Texas is massive and women would need to travel hours to get to a clinic. Indiana closed enough clinics that people had to drive 50+ miles to get to one and it caused an HIV epidemic in the state. 7y
thealidoyle @Laura317 Embryos are not people. Fetuses are not people. Are you against IVF because not all the embryos get used? 7y
thealidoyle @Laura317 You cannot gaslight or shame us for our opinions about which you clearly do not understand facts or science. You are trying to use "alternative facts." Like Chuck Todd said yesterday. "Alternative facts' are fallacies 7y
149 likes11 stack adds28 comments
review
Kathrin
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Pickpick

I found this a well organized book that tackled the individual points of the anti abortion movement in an accessible way. It really reiterated on multiple occasions that while on the surface the pro life movement wants to save the unborn it is mostly a moral judgement on the perceived promiscuity of women. It also questions over and over where is the responsibility and the moral judgement of the men that were involved in the child making... 👇

Kathrin spoiler alert: there is no moral judgement on the dudes. It also makes a great case of more access to affordable contraception and proper sex education. While this book is not going to sway the opinion of pro lifers or pro choices in any way, I think it can really educate the people in the middle that are not 100% sure where they stand on the issue. 7y
Hooked_on_books Nice! Good review. Now I look forward to it even more. Particularly with the ongoing threats to defund Planned Parenthood, an organization that primarily functions in women's health and birth control. (Hmm, wonder where I fall on the spectrum?) 😂 7y
geodynamical_nonfiction I learned a few weeks ago that there are some women with missing chromosomes (or something) that only have a 50% chance each pregnancy to conceive a human. Half the time their embryos don't develop properly because of missing DNA, and if they don't abort the mangled fetus (read: get a medical abortion) then the woman's body will revolt and attack the blob of cells and cause all kinds of problems. Like whoa. Whodathunk abortions Dave lives! 7y
geodynamical_nonfiction Warning! Graphic images and descriptions of blood and body parts!!!!! “This is what happens to the bodies of the women you know.” https://medium.com/athena-talks/this-is-what-happens-to-the-bodies-of-the-women-... 7y
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Kathrin
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I am only in the first chapter and have been vigorously nodding my head several times.... so far it has only confirmed my believe that the anti abortion movement is not there to protect life, but to keep women in their place - barefoot and pregnant that this.

Megabooks 🙌🏻🙌🏻🙌🏻🙌🏻🙌🏻 7y
Laura317 I can speak only for myself. As a Christian, I believe that life begins at conception. Therefore, abortion = murder. To me, it seems very selfish and wrong for a woman to have an abortion just because she doesn't want s child. I truly don't believe men want to keep us woman in "our place". Just my humble opinion. I know mine is not popular with most here on Litsy. 7y
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thebookdeltest
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My mini post-election library stack. Shout out to the #overit tag for the inspiration! I'm so ready to dig into these.

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Soscha
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The struggle is real.

LeahBergen 😂😂 7y
11 likes1 comment
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Amandajoy
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My cyber Monday purchases came today! I may have been inspired by all the #overit posts 😉. Can't wait to dive into these! #bookmail

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mischa
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Pickpick

It took me longer than expected to read this, primarily because I kept getting angry and needed to walk away to cool down.

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mischa
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So the fact that I'm not Jewish is the main reason I've never heard this before, but I'm still surprised I've never heard this before.

McFarchie ❤️ 7y
10 likes1 comment
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TheWellReadOwl
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This US election has me revisiting books that galvanize me and feed my sense of justice and purpose. Came across these two books at my library and borrowed them (again). (Although, actually, I own the Pollitt book but lent it out 😩). Because I don't ever want to become complacent, or worse, apathetic. Probably not making much sense tonight ... I'm having one of those moments where I can't believe reality is what it is.

Notafraidofwords This i totally get ... 7y
JSW All of the above. All of it. 7y
Laura317 Moral right and social good? Let's not even go down that road, please. 7y
Bkwurm Katha Pollitt is such a great writer and thinker. 7y
86 likes4 stack adds5 comments
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mischa
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When people say "if you don't want to get pregnant, don't have sex".

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mischa
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So, over the past few weeks I've had not one, not two, but three! Three bookstore accidents! These are the books I purchased but have not read before.

Well-ReadNeck Awesome stack!! 8y
mischa @Well-ReadNeck Thanks! 8y
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review
Well-ReadNeck
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Pickpick

Important reframing of the issue of abortion. The statistics were surprising (the majority of women who get abortions are already mothers, for example). Will be considering this one for a long while.

Laura317 Wow. I can't wrap my mind around the author's claim of "moral right". 8y
Well-ReadNeck @Laura317 I hear you. The author does strike a tone that sometimes pulls me from her arguments. I think she suffers here from one of the things she criticizes: buying into/responding to the vocabulary already out there. 8y
alisahar I read this a while back and it had stayed with me since. It really reshaped the way I think about the case for abortion rights & how I talk with anti-abortion people. Excellent! 8y
BookishFeminist Agreed, this book is great and important. We need more books about abortion. 8y
118 likes28 stack adds4 comments
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Liza
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Big SCOTUS day tomorrow. How am I supposed to focus on work when there's going to be a ton of political commentary??