Debate Boils Over High Number of African American Abortions

No one promotes abortion, or encourages women to terminate their pregnancy for the sake of race, least of all Planned Parenthood, yet that is exactly what right-wing, evangelical anti-choice activists are campaigning on in yet the latest attempt to close down the oldest women's health provider in the country.

On today's NPR show, Tell Me More, Host Michelle Martin brought together a member of one group that is spreading the theory that Planned Parenthood has for decades plotted to kill as many low-income African American children before they are born as they can. The Rev. Carltom Veazey. who heads the Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice, was the passionate voice for choice, and for one of the only medical resources left in low-income neighborhoods.

Rev. Veazey called out the falsehoods espoused by the young man who claimed that Planned Parenthood is a racist organization on par if not worse than the KKK. Rev. V explained that in many low-income neighborhoods, Planned Parenthood is the only healthcare available other than the ER, and it serves men as well as women. It provides more African American abortions because that is a service in high demand in low-income communities, and PP does perform this medical proceedure, unlike many other health care providers.

He also was especially angry at the end of the 12-minute discussion, and he asked why is it that there are so many people fighting to stop poor women, and all women's,access to abortion, fighting with money, fighting with time, with donations, yet they do nothing for the children who are born into desparate circumstances who he said are "aborted lives."

I think he asks a very poignant question for which I applaud this powerful advocate for women's choice, especially low-income women. I have spoken with him on the phone in the past, when NoVA LUUP extended our support to his organization 

You can listen to the segement with Rev. Veazey and the Anti-Choice Advocate at: Debate Boils Over African American Abortions.