Black Women Speak Loudly Against Abortion

Black Women Speak Loudly against Abortion
By Lara Bode

In a powerful display of diversity with unity, a coalition of more than 20 African-American women assembled at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C., February 2 to say "no more" to abortion and to "Stand for Life!"

Sponsored by Black Americans for Life, these Black women, many of whom are post-abortive, gathered to candidly declare the truth that abortion kills children and hurts women.

There were two backdrops to this historic gathering. First, February is Black History Month. Second, "Since 1973, more than 14 million of our Black children have died this way, while most of us said nothing," said Day Gardner, president of Black Americans for Life.

Ms. Gardner minced no words. "The knives of abortionists have slaughtered more than 14 million Black babies," she said. "Beautiful, perfectly formed babies have been scraped out of their mother's womb in pieces, or jammed in the back of their heads with scissors to have their brains sucked out so that a dead baby can be delivered."

Many commented on what a powerful scene it was as one woman after another stepped up to the microphone to speak out against the destruction that abortion is causing in the African-American community. As Ms. Gardner explained, "Abortion is the #1 killer of African-Americans, killing more Black people than heart disease, cancer, stroke, crime, and all other deaths combined."

Mary Craft from Forestville, Maryland, added further details that help put the tragedy in perspective: "The fact that 39% of all abortions are performed on Black women is a horrendous statistic, especially since we are only 12%, and declining, of the American population." Added Renee Wilson of Philadelphia, "Abortion causes us to give up our blessings, our heritage, and our future."

Moreover, "Abortion is not as safe as proponents want us to believe," stated Rev. Janine Simpson from Detroit. She went on to point out that women and girls still die from legal abortions, a grim reality that is virtually unknown to the wider public.

"I still suffer with many complications from my abortion over 30 years ago," said Arlene Campbell from Philadelphia. She nearly died at the age of 22 when an abortionist perforated her uterus.

Many of the women who spoke at the press conference had endured an abortion.

"Like many other African-American women, I sacrificed my child for a 'better life,'" said Allison Johnson from Waldorf, Maryland. "Unfortunately, as an 18-year-old, I had no real idea of what I was doing and the lie I was accepting. This is an eternal tragedy that I now must live with."

Tina Asinugo from Alexandria, Virginia, had an abortion 17 years ago. She now realizes that "abortion does not help anyone; instead, it renders lasting hurt of physical, mental, and emotional scarring for life."

Carla Ezell from Philadelphia also expressed deep regret over her abortion 37 years ago. "I'll miss that child for the rest of my life," she said.

Mary Craft spoke for the entire group when she told the assembled reporters, "Regardless of the circumstances of an unplanned pregnancy, life is a gift from God, and man has no right to end it."

"Many African-Americans espouse a pro-life stance, but our actions have not aligned with our words," concluded Rev. Janine Simpson. "We must get back to the basics and open our eyes to the devastation that abortion has brought on our community."

Black Americans for Life wishes to thank all the women who participated in the Stand for Life press conference. Black Americans for Life is encouraged by the media attention this event continues to receive!

Special thanks to the Peroutka & Peroutka law firm for supporting this event.