Spread Love, Not Hate

Just imagine coming home one day and seeing your daughter, sister, mother, aunt, cousin, grandmother, girlfriend, fiance, wife, or friend sobbing on the couch. When you ask what's wrong, they tell you, "I had an abortion today and people told me I should go to jail for murder." Or, "I was sexually assaulted and when I reported it, I was told that I shouldn't have dressed like a slut and I should have just kept my legs together."

These comments sicken me, and not just because I support abortion. Could you imagine someone telling the woman you love these comments? Could you imagine saying these comments to another woman? I would hope you wouldn't say these comments and shame women for their choices. Protection doesn't always work. Just because a woman doesn't want kids doesn't mean she can't have sex. That's not the point of sex. How women dress is no excuse for rape and sexual assault. No means no. Stop teaching women that it's their fault. Stop teaching men that women are objects they can use.

Before you start judging someone for making the decision to have an abortion, think about why they might consider it. Maybe they were raped or are living in an abusive household. Maybe they were forced into it. You just don't know. Did you ever think of that?

My opinion is my opinion and everyone is entitled to their own opinions. It doesn't matter to me if you hate my opinion, but for five seconds hear me out. Why are we shaming women for being raped, sexually assaulted, or making the choice to have an abortion? Do you want your kids to see all this hate we spread about abortion? Why are we fighting over our opinions? In case you haven't realized, your opinion is not necessarily the "right" or only opinion. Just stop. We need to listen to each other. We are all different. We are all human. Having an abortion, being sexually assaulted, or raped does not make a woman any less human than anyone else.

Reading these hateful comments and seeing how people are treating one another not only makes me sick, but also makes me want to cry. You have no idea what's really going on with someone behind closed doors. Look at the women around you. They are all strong and beautiful. Imagine them being verbally attacked for their opinions or decisions. You wouldn't be okay with that. So, why does that make it okay for you to do that to women you don't know? Verbally attacking people and fighting over these issues won't solve anything.

I challenge you to keep your hateful comments to yourself for one week. One week. That's it. Just try one week. If you see a tweet or Facebook post you don't agree with, ignore it. If you see a someone being verbally attacked for their posts on social media, stand up for them. Put your opinions aside and spread love, not hate. We're not going to unanimously agree on everything, but that doesn't give you the right to hurt someone else for disagreeing with you.

To the women who have been sexually assaulted, raped, or had an abortion and have been treated in a disgusting manner: I support you. I love you. Stay strong.