Abortion holds the hand of race

Race relations are now not only linked to slavery and civil right, but have recently joined the abortion train due to billboards being posted throughout Atlanta, Georgia. The billboards were posted to get the attention of the black community, specifically black women.

The billboards feature a young black baby, looking confused and helpless. The words read, "Black Children are an Endangered Species." It's as simple as that. The billboard clearly states that only black babies are an endangered species. The racism alone is disappointing, but served the purpose the anti-abortion movement was trying to make. According the Cheryl Sullenger, senior policy adviser for Operation Rescue, "…If it shocks people…it should be shocking."

In Georgia, black women accounted for the majority of abortions in 2006. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), black women make up only a third of the state's population.

It's not necessary to create a billboard pinpointing a specific race, when your point could be clear with a billboard of babies of all different ethnicities. After all, America is all about equal rights. This billboard is like pressing fast forward on the racism track.

Look at the bigger issue: abortion. Don't target a race, target the problem and figure out a way to change it. There must be an error in the education process, if people feel that abortion is their only option. Race has little to do with the problem. In fact, it has nothing to do with the problem. White, black, Hispanic, etc. it doesn't matter. Your racial background doesn't affect the way you decide to deal with a pregnancy.

It is embarrassing to think that a portion of our society feels that by creating this billboard, it will lower the abortion rates within the black community. Pro-Life Action League Executive Director, Eric Scheidler commented that a race-based strategy for anti-abortion activists has given a fresh zeal.

He also relates this to the recent presidential election. President Barack Obama, who happens to support abortion rights, is being used as an excuse the target the black community.

"He's really out of step with the rest of [the] black community.…That might be part of why may be shifting here and why a campaign like this is appropriate, to kind of wake up that disconnect," said Scheidler.

The idea of using the fact that the President of the United States is not "connected" enough to the black community as a reason to publish this billboard is disgusting. In what way will this connect the president to the black community?

I believe that everyone is entitled to their own beliefs and that includes abortion. On the other hand, I think that education is the key. If we had stronger education programs about safe sex and pregnancy, then people would know that they had other options. They would also be aware of different forms of birth control.

The problem is rooted in school systems. We cannot be afraid to talk about it. Sex has become something that people stray from and are afraid to talk about. It needs to be a staple in school systems both public and private.

I can almost promise that with education and the proper information, the abortion rates would go down. This can all be done without bringing race into the picture. Focus on new ways to education and not new ways to advertise.