Editor's note. In America and around the globe, teenagers who have survived the abortion holocaust are now fighting back. Abortion has wounded an entire generation. On the heels of the 25th anniversary of the Supreme Court's January 22, 1973, Roe v. Wade decision, NRLC staffers and past pro-life youth leaders April Holley (AH), Heather Clapsaddle (HC), and Derrick Jones (DJ), sat down to discuss pro-life youth and the future of the movement.
AH: Last month's huge gathering in Washington,
D.C., was the 25th annual March for Life. How was this march different from
any other?
DJ: Looking at the crowd at this
year's march, the most prominent change since the first march 25 years ago
is that the participants are getting younger and younger. The tens of thousands
of young people that joined in this year are sending a strong message to
the "abortion culture": the Roe v. Wade generation is fighting
back.
Today's youth has been labeled a "lost generation" - - a generation
that doesn't really care about what's happening in the world today. In reality,
it is just the opposite. The young people of today are taking the problems
of our society very seriously. More and more they are becoming involved
in the fight for life. The right to life movement has already benefited
greatly from this new surge of energy - - but there's still more to be done.
AH: How can teens and college students make a difference in the movement?
DJ: I read an editorial in my hometown newspaper, written by
a high school student, that talked about the Greek use of the letter "X"
as a symbol for Christ. He said that Generation X has a unique opportunity
to fight the stereotype that they are "lost" and can go out and
talk to people and educate them, much like the disciples did.
We've always said that teens and college students are some of the best educators
the pro-life movement has. They are better able to reach their peers with
the pro-life message, and it's that peer-to-peer education that can have
the biggest impact on the pro-life movement.
AH: What kinds of things have youth done to take a stand on the abortion
issue?
HC:
There are so many activities that have been done over the years. Some of
the most popular have been helping out with local RTL chapter events and
projects, volunteering at local crisis pregnancy centers and right to life
offices, throwing baby showers for mothers in need of assistance, babysitting
for unwed mothers, clothing drives for CPCs. The list is endless. We received
a letter from Clover Quinn, the advisor for Teens for Life of the Bitterroot
Valley in Montana. Seven members of the group spent 24 hours in prayer and
fasting on behalf of the pro-life movement and its leaders.
AH: You mentioned Teens For Life groups. Is it easy to get one started?
HC: All it takes is one or two interested teens and a willing
adult to provide them guidance and support. It's a common misconception
among adults that starting a Teens for Life group takes too much time and
energy, when, in reality, all it takes is a little time and a lot of love.
AH: What is the biggest difficulty you find when trying to get groups
started?
HC: The biggest difficulty we've found is the lack of enthusiasm
by some adults. To you adults that have given your time and effort to the
youth movement, I thank you and you don't have to read the rest of my answer.
However, some adults often get too caught up in what's happening now and
aren't paying attention to what might happen in the future. But if we are
to be victorious, it is vital that we look down the road. The future of
the movement rests on the pro-life youth. They are our future leaders and
grassroots. They will be the ones dealing with the media and the pro-abortion
rhetoric. They will be providing the funding and resources that will allow
us to fight the battle and win.
AH: What about students on the college level?
DJ: There's not a lot of difference in starting a college right
to life group. Probably the main difference is in the organizing process
and you don't rely as heavily on adult assistance But, as with Teens for
Life groups, all you really need is one or two people to get started. And
on the college level, you need to find people who are willing to take a
stand in an environment that is often unfriendly to pro-lifers.
AH: That about wraps it up. Do you have anything else to add?
HC, DJ: Clover Quinn, the local Teens for Life advisor from Bitterroot
Valley, Montana, summed it up best:
"There are large numbers of dedicated and committed youth in every
community who have chosen to align themselves with family values and morals.
They are fun-loving young people, creative and willing to serve. If we hope
to see change in our nation, in our lifetime, we have only to support the
efforts of our youth."
The youth are there - - willing to help, willing to learn and willing to
become involved. Are you?
ENCOURAGEMENT
According to a recent press release issued by the Alan Guttmacher Institute,
between 1987 and 1994, the abortion rate for teenagers 15-19 dropped 24%!
- - Newsweek, January 26
April Holley, NRLC's deputy press secretary, is a co-founder of National College Students for Life (NCSL). Heather Clapsaddle, assistant to the NRL PAC director, is a co-advisor for National Teens for Life (NTL). Derrick Jones, NRLC administrative assistant, is a former NTL president and is currently treasurer for NCSL.