Designated Donations (Saving black girls from punishment)

There's no way to avoid the politics if I'm going to comment on these two stories.

First, here's a link to the audio recordings of Planned Parenthood employees, agree will be earmarked to decrease the number of "African Americans" or a "black baby." The employees include the Vice President of Development of the New Mexico PP, Sue Riggs, agreeing to accept money that the caller has specifically said should go to the abortion of an African American. Another call includes the statement that the man does not want his children to face a lot of competition in college due to affirmative action.

These calls should be enough to make any thinking person condemn at least the lack of sensitivity and training at the offices of Planned Parenthood. Unless you realize that they probably think they're rescuing a black woman or girl from the punishment of having a black baby -- as stated so clearly by Barack Obama last Sunday, March 30, while campaigning in Philadelphia:

"I've got two daughters -- 9 years old and 6 years old," Obama said. "I am going to teach them first of all about values and morals. But if they make a mistake, I don't want them punished with a baby. ... So it doesn't make sense to not give them information."

The mindset that calls pregnancy a "punishment" is one that we who value human life often encounter. In a classic case of projection - seeing your own opinion, wants, flaws or tendencies in the other person - the abortion advocate will claim that we see sex as bad, and that women and girls should be punished.

No, we see women and girls as us. We see their babies as the children of the future - as our fellow human beings and citizens. The information that we give our children is that there are consequences to our actions. Each of us has a responsibility to work toward good consequences by choosing our actions. Taking responsibility, expressing compassion and empathy, and even parenthood are not "punishment."

In fact, you could call the opportunity and ability to do so a "blessing."

Edited 4/2/08 at 10:00 PM for typos.