Anne Hendershott:It's never been a more dangerous time to be a black baby. While overall rates of abortion have declined to the lowest level since 1974, the Guttmacher Institute recently reported alarming increases in racial disparities between the rates of abortion for black and white women. Analyzing more than 30 years of data collected directly from abortion providers, Guttmacher found that black women's abortion rates are now five times greater than those of white women.
Currently, white women's rates of abortion have declined to 10.5 abortions per 1,000 women while black women's rates are an alarming 50 abortions per 1,000 black women. Put in terms of actual pregnancies, the figures are shocking: Nearly half of all African American pregnancies end in abortion. Since 1973, the number of abortions by African American women has totaled more than twelve million.
Does anyone care?
HT: Justin Taylor
4 comments:
It has always been dangerous to be a black baby in this country, unborn or born. The last eight years of Republican policies which divert resources from social programs to war and big business and bailouts for the rich only add to the hopelessness that fuels the lack of respect of life at all stages. It is time for Christians to re-think their strategy for preventing abortions. For all of its rhetoric, the Republican party has never done anything significant to even reduce abortion. It's time for both parties to agree on steps that will actually support poor families and provide hope for the future.
Thanks for your comment, Paul.
Believe me, I'm not mistaking any political leader or party for Jesus! We're each looking for the least imperfect at best.
My strategy regarding abortion is partnering with a Christian crisis pregnancy center. Our church supports Living Well and offers baby showers for struggling moms.
As far as the politics, I remain unconvinced that...
1. Government money heals social ills or fixes hopelessness. Did African-American society fare better under the Clintons? Perhaps.
2. Big business is inherently evil. Some is no doubt. But there are many examples of big business bringing great blessing to society.
3. A man who supports partial-birth abortion and opposes the Infant Born Alive Protection act has any desire other than the promotion of abortion. The causes of abortion are not simple. But the act itself is. It is horrific to kill babies.
4. Pro-life politicians make no difference.
Michael New has an article...
www.thepublicdiscourse.com/viewarticle.php?selectedarticle=2008.10.24_New_Michael%20J._Pro-Life%20Politicians%20Have%20Made%20a%20Difference,%20Pro-Life%20Laws%20Work_.xml
Peace.
Your points are well-taken and this is a helpful article, Matt. I'm glad your church is doing something positive.
Here's another article that perhaps makes my main point better than I did:
http://www.sojo.net/index.cfm?action=magazine.article&issue=soj0604&article=060410
I'm confused - how does 50 abortions per 1000 women add up to half of all pregnancies ending in abortion?
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