Betrayal of Women?

October.

My least favorite month.

The weather starts getting crisp and frosty...making me pack away my beloved flip flops and unpack my dreaded jacket and sweatshirts.

The college semester is plagued by mid terms and the anxiousness of Christmas break.

Halloween is my least favorite holiday because of the gory costumes and movies.

But what bothers me most about October is the stampede of pink ribbons. They are attached to everything such as shirts, cars, mugs, purses, etc. These pink ribbons seem so innocent but powerful at the same time because they represent Breast Cancer Awareness.

Now don't get me wrong, I am all for finding a cure for breast cancer. I get it..breast cancer is bad. Over the years I have encountered breast cancer sufferers and survivors and my heart and prayers go out to them. It is a horrible and devastating disease. However, my problem with the little pink ribbon is because of the foundation that lies behind it. Susan G. Komen for the Cure.

The Susan G. Komen foundation helps raise money and awareness for breast cancer research. They claim that their mission is to enhance and protect the well-being of girls and women. Sadly though, they contribute money to Planned Parenthood. Last year alone they gave $731,303 to Planned Parenthood.

A Komen spokesperson admitted that during 2000-2005 at least 13 Komen affiliates awarded at least 55 grants to PP afiliates. This information can be found on the Komen website.

Of course, Komen claims that the contributions are for breast exams only. Although the 2005-2006 PP annual report states that 9,900 more abortions were performed and 81,500 fewer breast exams were provided than in 2004. In 2008, breast cancer services at PP decreased by 4% and abortions increased by 6%. Komen's founder, Nancy Brinker, was listed as an advisory board member for PP of North Texas, which is the 5th largest PP affiliate in the nation. Coincidence?

I could go on all day.

You might be thinking whats the big deal? There are lots of companies that support Planned Parenthood i.e. General Mills, Olive Garden, Bank of America, Girl Scouts etc. The specific thing that really stirred me up about Komen supporting PP is the possible breast cancer and abortion link.

Dr. Angela Lanfranchi, a breast surgical oncologist, stated that "29 out of 38 worldwide epidemiological studies show an increased risk of breast cancer of approximately 30% among women who have had an abortion." This happens because when a woman has an abortion she alters the production of estrogen in her body which was preparing itself for a baby.

I am not trying to convince you that every abortion causes breast cancer. If don't believe there is any link that is fine with me. But that does not change the deceiving ways of the Susan G. Komen foundation. If their purpose is to help and enhance the lives of girls and women then why on earth would they fully support something that destroys lives?

Think about it.

If you still are not convinced about any of this check these websites out:
http://hliamerica.org/news-commentary/race-for-the-truth-about-the-susan-g-komen-foundation-is-abortion-and-hormonal-contraception-a-prescription-for-breast-cancer/

http://www.lifenews.com/2010/05/24/nat-6360/

Red Tape.

Butterflies. heart racing. sweaty hands.

Beat red face. perhaps even brighter than the tape across my mouth.

Last tuesday was Pro-Life Day of Silent Solidarity. Millions of teens and young adults stepped onto the campuses of their high schools and universities. They came armed with fliers and posters with bright red tape across their mouths bearing one small but powerful word. LIFE. Braving the cries of negativity, anger, and even hatred they walked around passing out their fliers. However, under the cloud of ridicule lies whispers of enocouragement which lets us know that there is hope for unborn babies.

Students for Life at Eastern Michigan University, of which I am vice-president and co-founder, decided to make Silent Day our first "demonstration" on campus. We decided that in order to get people's attention and let them know we are here is to do something "visual."

What better way to get someone's attention then to walk around with red duct tape on your mouth?

About 12 people showed up with their red tape and fliers ready to create a buzz. First we started with about 2,000 fliers and after about an hour and a half...we ran out. We gathered the troops and rushed to the library to print more. Luckily a nun was at a computer nearby and realized what we were doing. She printed off a lot more for us. Somehow we rounded up about 1,000 more fliers. Those quickly disapeared.

Now that you know exactly what we did...here are the mixed responses we recieved...

I personally had a guy spit on the ground right next to my shoe. One girl took the flier, handed it back, and said "I don't want this!!" A couple more people, including a teacher, walked up and thanked me for what I was doing.(Which reassured me that I was doing the right thing)

Other people from our group had a variety of experiences. Our president, Christen, had a guy hug her and say "Another conservative!!" :-) Another girl was called horrible names.

Later that day, we found out that there was a guy on campus handing out "pro-choice" fliers. The fliers had a C.S. Lewis quote and said something about us "oppressing people with our morals."

When I first heard about this I laughed

I laughed because the word oppress means "to burden with cruel or unjust impositions or restraints; subject to a burdensome or harsh exercise of authority or power: " (via Dictionary.com)

So is he saying we are in authority or have so much power over everyone?

That was definately a poor choice of words on his part.

Did we really make such an impact that someone felt the need to "stand up" and "confront" us?

I hope so.

One Voice in a Million

Thanks for visiting my little "voice" on the web. The point of this blog is to share my experiences, beliefs, and views with you in hopes that you are educated and informed on the topic of being Pro-Life. Here I will share my opinions and events I attend/organize. It is not my goal to offend or put anyone down however I have a voice to make my opinions known and two feet to stand by those opinions.

One day, I was trying to decide on the best name for my blog and then a song came on the radio. The song was "Strip Me" By Natasha Bedingfield. One line of the song says "Im only one voice in a million
but you aint taking that from me." It was then that I decided on the perfect name.
Here are the lyrics and video:

Everyday I fight for
All my future somethings
A thousand little awards
I have to choose between
I could spend a lifetime
Earning things I don't need
That's like chasing rainbows
And coming home empty
And if you strip me,
Strip it all away
If you strip me,
What would you find
If you strip me,
Strip it all away
Ill be alright

Take what you want
Steal my pride
Build me up
Or cut me down to size
Shut me out
But I'll just scream
Im only one voice in a million
but you aint taking that from me
Oh oh no you aint taking that from me

I dont need a microphone
To say what I been thinking
My heart is like a loudspeaker
Thats always on eleven
And if you strip me,
Strip it all away
If you strip me,
What would you find
If you strip me,
Strip it all away
I'm still the same

Cause when it all boils down
At the end of the day
Its what you do and say
That makes you who you are
Makes you think about,
Think about it
Doesn't it
Sometimes all it takes is one voice

Natasha Bedingfield - Strip Me (Audio)