Pro-Life Speaker : Theresa Gilbert

While on the topic of graphic images in relation to the issue of abortion, I wanted to share some students’ reactions that, in essence, call for censoring the truth about abortion. Here is what some students had to say in response to showing this video (approx. 3 min) during my presentation.

Sickened me and I found it excessive. – Female

I agree with this young lady, seeing the reality of abortion also sickens me. And, the fact that it happens approximately 300 times a day in Canada is excessive. But, that is likely not what she meant. She likely meant that even having it presented at her school sickened her and the amount of images was excessive.

Simply, if something is so sickening, why do we tolerate it in our country? Would she say the same thing about a 3 minute video showing victims of drinking and driving to show people the consequences from making that choice?

I was disgusted that instead of arguing against abortion with facts, graphic images were used to scare the audience. I wish less graphic images were used. They disturbed me and disgusted me. I wish facts were used to change my mind instead of disgusting videos to scare me. – Gr9 Female

This young lady either only showed up for the three minutes I presented the video, or chooses to ignore the rest (and bulk) of my presentation. Again, I am also disturbed when I see the reality of abortion – it is disturbing that this happens in our country.

Make it less graphic. – Gr9 Female

I am not really sure how the images of abortion can be made “less graphic” – that’s abortion.

Following the video I acknowledge how I always feel sad, angry and disgusted when I see it. And, that many of the students may be feeling the same.

I am sad because this happens to our most innocent human beings and negatively impacts millions of women and families around the world.

I am disgusted that our society has seemingly become comfortable with a choice that takes apart a human being while still alive (because, yes, science tells us that from the moment of fertilization that new being that is created is living – two living things (ie. human beings) can only reproduce another living thing of its own kind).

And, I am angry because so many people don’t seem to care about the harm abortion is doing to preborn humans and their mothers.

Following this, I then encourage those in the audience, that if they are feeling those things, too, to use those emotions and channel them into doing something to positively impact our country – change the status quo on abortion and offer real choices to women facing a crisis pregnancy.

I expect people to react like these students have to seeing the reality of abortion. But does that mean we shouldn’t show the truth about abortion? What is more important – saving someone’s feelings or saving someone’s life? Hiding an injustice to avoid discomfort or showing an injustice to save the victims?

The effectiveness of showing these images cannot be denied – they have saved many lives. To hear more about that check out the Canadian Centre for Bio-Ethical Reform’s website and specifically their newsletters. Watch this video testifying to the effectiveness of images:

There are a number of ways to approach the topic of abortion. I have highlighted in a previous post that I take it on in a holistic approach – we need the facts (statistics, science, logic), along with personal

10-12 week old human being

testimonies and images (fetal development and what abortion does to humans in the womb).

With that in mind, I include a video showing the reality of abortion (approx. 3 minutes) in my presentations when possible. And, though I include all the other components as mentioned above with examples and my points shown on the powerpoint, inevitably when feedback is provided the part that students talk about the most is the video of abortion. And, oftentimes, it is cited as the reason why they have changed their mind – abortion is no longer shrouded in “choice” but is revealed in all of its ugliness making it very clear that it is wrong regardless of circumstances.

Here are a few statements from the students (my next post will talk about the students who object to seeing the video):

The video of the dead babies after abortion really impacted/helped me understand a lot about abortion. Very graphic, disturbing and most of all sad… – Gr9 Female

Make everybody watch the video so you can see what happens when you abort a child. – Gr10 Male

The video of the abortion. It helped me realize what abortion really is and how wrong it is. – Gr10 Female

The video definitely impacted me the most because it was very graphic but I feel that it was necessary since most people don’t take abortion seriously. – Gr9 Female

The students acknowledge that the images of abortion are graphic, disturbing and sad. But, also necessary.

I think it’s important to ask ourselves: if abortion is so disturbing to see, why are we tolerating it? And, why do we offer it as a “solution” for women facing a crisis pregnancy? Can’t we do better for women and their children?

Summer is just around the corner for high school pro-life clubs. Though classes are finishing up, the abortion business is still going strong. Every day, regardless of the season, three hundred preborn babies are killed by abortion in Canada. What does that mean for a pro-life club?

You can still be active during the summer months! Summer is perfect for:

• building your pro-life team,
• planning for the school year,
• increasing your knowledge on the pro-life issues,
• AND reaching out to your community.

TEAM BUILDING

Use the summertime to plan socials that will encourage friendships among your group. The more your group develops these friendships, the more comfortable they will be working together to share the pro-life message.

• Pro-Life Pool Party!
• Movie Nights
• Ice Cream Socials
• Other ideas?!

PLANNING FOR THE 2011-2012 SCHOOL YEAR

Without school, it should be easier to get a group together to plan for the 2011-2012 school year.

The more you plan NOW means the more you are able to DO during the school year.

Of course, there will always need to be some planning when classes are in, but if you can minimize some of it now, you can save some headaches later.

• Does your group need a display board? Useful to have out during lunch periods to talk to your fellow students. Helpful tips in the Club Manual.
• Do you want to bring in a speaker? Contact them in the summer to find out if they are available in the school year, speaking fees etc.
• Want to do a poster campaign? Decide what posters you want to use now and create/print them to have ready.
• Planning a Life Week? Brainstorm ideas now and get as much as you can done.

INCREASE YOUR KNOWLEDGE

There is always something new to learn about the life issues, and specifically abortion.

• Search online for videos. Share on Facebook and email to the group.
• Find new websites.
• Subscribe to blogs and pro-life news websites.
• Create your own blog or twitter account.
• Talk about abortion with family and friends (ie. through Facebook or in person) to increase your ability to articulate the position.

REACH OUT TO YOUR COMMUNITY

You can’t hold events at school, but that does not stop you from reaching out to your community. You know your community best – consider activities and events that can bring the pro-life message to your area.

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–Join the Student Life Link Facebook group to connect with other high school pro-lifers just like you across the country.

–Make sure to get your copy of the Student Club Manual for more in-depth resources on maintaining and running a club.

–Graduates in your group? If they are heading to a campus next year make sure they contact Rebecca Richmond at National Campus Life Network to connect with the pro-life club at their campus. www.ncln.ca / director@ncln.ca.

–As always, feel free to contact me at any time: theresa@theresagilbert.com

I just arrived back from a session with a pro-life group at a high school in Burlington. I had done the apologetics training with them in the Fall and returned to talk about three important aspects of being involved in the pro-life movement:
- making a personal committment to LIFE
- education
- being pro-ACTIVEly pro-life

I encouraged them to ponder and consider: Are you willing to show up, to work, to stand up and be counted?

Are YOU?!

High School Club Display for Celebrate Life Day!

During the last week of April I spoke for two periods to high school students (approx. 80-100 each session). It was a part of a whole day of pro-life activities : Celebrate Life Day!

The pro-life club at the school organized to have me come in and speak as well as community pro-life groups to be present during the lunches. A fun game of “Guess the baby” was also organized for students to look at baby pictures of their teachers and guess who it was.

I feel honoured to be a part of their pro-life day and encourage others schools to consider doing something similar. There are many ideas you can incorporate to share the pro-life message throughout the school.

I think the key elements are:

- information

&

- enthusiasm

This school had both for sure!

I spent a full day at a high school in Ajax, Ontario near the end of April. The Social Justice Club organized the day. I started with a presentation for gr. 9s, next gr. 10s and up to gr. 12 to finish off the day.

Following my half hour presentation Angelina Steenstra from the Silent No More Awareness Campaign gave a short testimony of how abortion has impacted her life. To say it was powerful is an understatement.

That day hundreds of students heard the pro-life position: the facts, the logic, the beauty of life in the womb, the destruction abortion does to life, the real life experience of a woman still living with the scars of abortion. I’d say a very holistic presentation to fully understand the injustice of abortion.

Speaking of life in the womb, here is a photo of Baby G at week 19

Thank you to the Social Justice Club, teachers and principals for ensuring this day happened and following up with discussions.

photo:  Lia Mills, with Rebecca Richmond, Director of NCLN, and Larissa Zantua, TRL staff member, cuts green ribbon inaugurating Student Life Link

Toronto, March 30th, 2011 – On Thursday March 24th, the Toronto Right to Life Association (TRL) and National Campus Life Network (NCLN) unveiled a new resource for high school pro-lifers in Canada.  This project, Student Life Link, is a network and resource for high school students to encourage the formation and development of pro-life high school clubs.

Student Life Link features a website containing resources, contacts, speaker suggestions and motivation for students and teachers to start pro-life clubs at their schools.  A Facebook page and group will enable students to share ideas, news, and connect with one another.

Lia Mills, who has garnered attention for her Youtube videos and powerful speaking ability, introduces the project on the new website and invites her peers to join in.  “Together we begin today to shape tomorrow, to build a pro-life Canada,” she says.  “It begins here and it begins now, with you, with me, and with our generation.”

“Young people need more than just the truth about abortion,” adds Rebecca Richmond, Executive Director of NCLN.  “We also need strategies and opportunities to get that message out to our peers and our society.  Getting involved is what builds us into pro-life leaders for not only the future of our country, but also the present.”

This project was inspired by an earlier collaboration between TRL and NCLN on a Student Club Manual for high school students.  Like the manual, modelled on NCLN’s university manual, Student Life Link also draws on NCLN’s expertise and resources from years of working with pro-life university groups and adapts them for the high school environment, an area of focus for TRL.

“Student Life Link will complement the current work and accomplishment of teachers, students, school boards, and local Right to Life organizations.” says Rebecca Richmond.  “Clubs need that local help and support.  What we’re trying to do is add a layer of support that is accessible to students through online media and which encourages collaboration and idea sharing among groups.”

“The tagline and motto of the project is A Pro-Life Canada Starts Here,” explains Paul Klotz, Executive Director of TRL.  “It sums up the growing optimism and confidence of our pro-life youth and we hope it will inspire these young men and women, through their involvement with a high school pro-life club, to choose, support and fight for fight in high school, in university and beyond.”

The project was launched on Thursday March 24th at the 2^nd Annual Student Leadership Conference, co-sponsored by TRL, the Toronto Catholic District School Board’s Respect for Life Committee, and the University of Toronto Students for Life.

For more information, visit the website at www.studentlifelink.ca or contact Paul Klotz at 416 483 7869 or Rebecca Richmond at 416 483 7869 (office), 416 388 0461 (cell).