How Christina Page Saved My Faith in America
How Christina Page Saved My Faith in America By Sara Medlicott I have to admit, my faith in the pro choice movement, in democracy even, is pretty easily shaken. Being bombarded with conservative Christian news on a daily basis takes a toll on me and every so often I need a week of nothing but mindless fashion magazines and vapid gossip. Christina Page has written a smart, gripping account of why there’s more reason to have faith then to lose it. Page didn’t always plan on writing How the Pro-Choice Movement Saved America: Freedom Politics and the War on Sex. She set out to do something that everyone in the Pro Choice movement has at least thought about, something that may be much more ambitious. Page wanted to have a civil discussion with a Pro Life activist, in search of common ground. When that was a success, the two of them wrote an article for the New York Times together in hopes of beginning a greater movement. The response on Pages’ end was mildly supportive, but her Pro Life partner was completely alienated and attacked by others in her movement; to the extent that her job was jeopardized and membership plummeted in her Right to Life chapter. They were appalled that she would come out in support of birth control and shown sympathy towards abortion providers. This led Page to delve into intensive research about the Pro Life movement as she struggled with questions about their motivations. Aren’t we all seeking the same things? Things like lowering abortion rates, preventing pregnancy in vulnerable populations and taking care of children. How the Pro Choice Movement Saved America provides much hope and positive encouragement for aggravated activists. Page argues that the society we live in is very much Pro Choice, no matter who wants to say otherwise, “As any casual observer knows, it’s this happy eager view of sex that is reflected everywhere in today’s culture. (Like it or not, we live in a pro-choice world)” (p.35). She goes on to highlight the positive effects of the feminist and pro choice movements. Women are getting smarter, happier and more active. Men are more involved with their families than they have been in American history. All this adds up to healthier, brighter children. Pro life readers take note, after reading this book; I actually got excited about the idea of having a husband and children. For the first time, ever I might add. Of course as we all know the struggle is not over. I was frustrated enough to put the book down several times. Shocking statistics (40% of women who have abortions in the US are Catholic or Evangelical Christians p. 58), the obvious failures of abstinence only sex education, and the heartbreaking personal stories from women who fell victim to anti-choice legislation are all difficult but essential for anyone who considers themselves pro choice to read. Page covers all the major issues choice activists now face and extensive research on the pro life movement from all those articles I don’t have the stomach to get through. The book is both a great introduction for the curious but uninvolved pro choicer and an amazing resource for an activist who has been involved for awhile. It provided me as an activist and reader with motivation to continue my work. Page may not have begun a movement based on common ground with pro life activists, but she absolutely excited me about the positive actions going on in the United States and abroad. Christina Page revitalized my excitement in the potential of democracy and, though initially skeptical, I do in fact believe that the pro choice movement has saved, and is saving, America.
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