Controversial Anti-Abortion Ad

In the New York Times, an article discussed the controversy that erupted over a billboard that was posted in the city of New York. An anti-abortion group decided to post a picture of a little African American girl a couple of miles away from Plan Parenthood with the caption “The most dangerous place for an African American is in the womb.” (Robins 2011).

I have a neutral position in Abortion; I value the existence of a new life, but I also believe that everyone is entitled to make their own choices when it comes to their bodies. We all face different circumstances therefore we should not judge. I strongly disagree with the way this anti-abortion ad, for one they singled out “women of color” instead of women in general. They went on to say that they were not just targeting women of color, but “African American” become one of their “key words” which in my opinion takes away from their message. Instead of being the group who fights for life, they have now become the organization that only chooses to judge peoples actions based on their race. Posting an ad in a city where there is a larger population of African American women is another crucial mistake on their part, because now they are just trying to create trouble. There are better effective ways to deliver their message, instead of trying to call them out in public. They are using the media to create conventional wisdom amongst the public: that woman of color are not sexually responsible because they majority of them abort. The problem with this is that it’s false, because not all African American abort, and those who do, are only doing it because they don’t want bring a child to suffer when they are not prepared to take care of them.

 African American Anti-Abortion Billboard:

http://cityroom.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/02/23/billboard-opposing-abortion-stirs-debate/

LGBT Community

Religious groups and old school families disapprove of homosexuality because the bible states that god did not approve of same sex relationships. Man and women were meant to procreate and create families. They strongly believe these actions will not take them to heaven or paradise, and therefore you will go to hell.

My relationship with the stigma is that I fall under three categories, which are being women, a person of color and a lesbian. I have had many challenges being a homosexual woman in the Hispanic community, because the expectation is to get married and have children for the family to embrace. It has been difficult disappointing my religious mother, because she strongly believes my actions wont take me to paradise, which translates into not having everlasting life. The fear of being disowned has been big amongst many of the LGBT (lesbian gay Bisexual and transgender) community, whether it’s with family members or friends. It is a struggle when your partner feels the pressure of choosing their family over you, because they are threatened to be disowned if they continue dating you, solely because of your orientation.

I also know that many members disclose their sexuality, because they don’t want to make limit their opportunities by making people who disapprove of their sexuality uncomfortable. Keep in mind that lesbian women have types and standards just the way a straight woman would.

Media has contributed in the approval as well as the disapproval of homosexual relationships and at some point in between. The gay community is often targeted for not being able to raise a family, because they are expected to have a male and female role model, which in turn will bring up a confused and unstable child. They continue to ignore a child needs love, shelter and food, and not a conventional picture. They also fail to bring up the dysfunctional heterosexual households. A stable home has nothing to do with gender; it has to do with the quality of love and dedication. In recent year there has been more acceptance of the gay community, due to famous artist who stand for the people and the constant fight for acceptance.  It has been difficult getting certain people to understand that being gay is not a phase, like men who continue to ignore the partnership of two women, by trying to win them over.

Religion has and will continue to ostracize the gay community, due to their strong belief of what is considered a norm. In the Bay Area, especially in the San Francisco we have many LGBT members hold events, protest and find ways to bring us together in order to fight off the stigmas surrounding us. My way of standing up for myself along with the community is by finding the appropriate time to share it with others.