Typically I wouldn’t even waste my time responding to the religious right who wag their god-fearing finger in the face of pro-choicers because they think abortion is “about the murdering of a child in God’s image for the sake of convenience.†Typically I would roll my eyes, and move on. But for Judy Blume, I will take the time to engage.
Several days ago Judy Blume wrote a letter on behalf of Planned Parenthood for their Mother’s Day campaign asking for support of the organization. Makes sense, right? Beloved children’s book author, mother, and pioneering activist teaming up with a reproductive health organization that promotes an individual’s right to self-determination and provides comprehensive healthcare services.
Apparently not. It seems this advocacy initiative sparked first, cries of outrage from many conservative organizations and bloggers, then a revenge campaign (which is said to have even included death threats sent to Blume) spearheaded by lifenews.com, and finally a reverse call for support, now on behalf of Blume by Planned Parenthood.
Death threats, really? By “pro-life†organizations? The irony is perfect.
Initially I was going to use this blog to enlist more people to show some love to Blume, but Planned Parenthood is no longer accepting letters. So instead, I’ll end with some links to the incendiaries—whom called Planned Parenthood “the nations largest abortion business†and likened making a donation to PP on Mother’s Day to a child of a Holocaust survivor “making a donation to the Nazi party“–that started the firestorm. Look here and here and here. We know what a critical role Planned Parenthood plays in protecting the reproductive rights of women. I urge you to respond to these postings and educate the ignorant.
