Planned Parenthood has released a new video as part of its Not in Her Shoes campaign, imploring viewers to set aside labels like “pro-choice” and “pro-life” when it comes to their ideas about abortion. We had a bit to say about this topic last week, as have many other sites and publications, feminist or otherwise. With so many Americans taking issue with these binary points of view, is does seem like the right moment to consider setting them aside while discussing America’s relationship with abortion.
The video, “Not in Her Shoes”, emphasizes that a woman’s decisions about her pregnancy are deeply personal, and should not be subject to her government’s jurisdiction. “Women don’t turn to politicians for advice about mammograms, prenatal care, or cancer treatments,” the video says, “and they shouldn’t. Politicians don’t belong in a woman’s personal medical decisions about her pregnancy.
The main site for Not in Her Shoes is similarly focused on empathy and individual freedoms when it comes to abortion and pregnancy. Featuring personal stories and opinions alongside national polls and statistics, the site encourages viewers to reconsider limiting stances in order to have honest and thoughtful conversations about abortion.
Though the idea of casting off “pro-choice” and “pro-life” labels has many people cheering, there are those who assert that such a move will hurt the fight for reproductive rights in America. But any campaign that urges citizens and politicians alike to think about abortion as a case-by-case, individual issue is OK in my book.
Check out the video below, and hop over to the similarly-titled Not in Her Shoes Tumblr, presented by ThisisPersonal.org, while you’re at it.
Video via Youtube
Photo via Facebook
