Anti-abortion group targets black women with billboards
An anti-abortion group targeting African-American women has begun putting up dozens of billboards around metro Atlanta, declaring black children to be “an endangered species.”
This is what they look like:
Ryan Bomberger, co-founder of the Radiance Foundation, said 35 should be up by Feb. 15. “We’re aiming for a lot more, but that’s where we’re at,” Bomberger said.
The billboards were announced at a state Capitol news conference at which another group, Georgia Right to Life, announced that it would back legislation this session that would make it a crime to “solicit a woman to have an abortion based on the race or sex of the unborn child.”
The two groups are citing what they say are federal statistics that indicate 56 percent of abortions in Georgia are performed on African-American women, though black make up 30 percent of the general population.
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331 comments Add your comment
BE THE CHANGE.
February 4th, 2010
8:57 pm
The arrogant “moral superiority” of the religious right is frankly galling and quite laughable given their well-known propensity for hypocrisy. It’s your right to believe in the things you do, but when your bigotry infringes on the rights of other (living, breathing, SENTIENT) human beings, I take issue with that.
Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness
February 4th, 2010
8:59 pm
Yes, many documents have been changed to further an agenda throughout the years. That’s not the issue.
The issue is whether or not someone has the right to kill another life at whim. The Declaration guarantees that everyone has the right to life. Just because a group of people took it upon themselves to decide for everyone else that a defenseless unborn baby can be killed at whim does not make it right.
One hundred fifty or so years ago, it was legal for whites to own blacks. That did not make it right.
Without the right to life, we have nothing. I am not expressing my own opinion. I am just reiterating the statements made by the Founding Fathers.
And yes, the opinions of the Supreme Court justices in the early 70’s did force someone to live it … or die with it in reality. That didn’t make abortion right just because a small few decided for the nation. The majority of the nation believed that abortion was wrong. That’s why the States had anti-abortion laws.
Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness
February 4th, 2010
9:03 pm
“The arrogant “moral superiority” of the liberal left is frankly galling and quite laughable given their well-known propensity for hypocrisy. It’s your right to believe in the things you do, but when your bigotry infringes on the rights of other (living, breathing, SENTIENT) human beings, I take issue with that.”
Again a subtle change … this is your opinion. It holds no water when reversed.
When you state that there is a “moral superiority”, what is your basis for morality? Your own opinion? Hitler’s “moral superiority” was based upon his opinion, and you see where that led him … and millions of innocent Jews and Romanies.
Corps 4 Life
February 4th, 2010
9:05 pm
If you really are trying to save “Black Children” go down to Southwest Atlanta and work on the gang problems. Black teenagers are killing each other daily and going to prison everyday in ATL. I don’t see any billboards going up about that. But conservative leaders don’t care about Black on Black crime and Black leaders don’t care about a dead black kid unless a white cop shoots them.
javatoad
February 4th, 2010
9:07 pm
Staying in school, working hard, learning something useful, taking care of your family, spending time with your kids, going to church, having some sense about who your friends are, keeping sex within marriage… these are the things that make bringing your baby to term and raising your children in a decent home posible. It’s not wise to tell people who don’t do these things that it’s okay not to and just go have an abortion. They do need more help but having abortions is definitely not the answer. The babies are alive in there and killing them is not right.
DHD
February 4th, 2010
9:08 pm
GREAT ad!! An ad targeting black women FOR abortion would not get an article by the AJC, I promise you that.
atl resident
February 4th, 2010
9:09 pm
I’m not sure why this is targeting black women??? If abortion is wrong, then it should be wrong for all races. The tag line “endangered species” is not true. I’ve not heard that african americans are on the verge of extinction…which is what “endangered species” insinuates.
BE THE CHANGE.
February 4th, 2010
9:09 pm
The fact that you think women chose to abort “at whim” just further shows what an overly simplistic view you have of an issue that is incredible complex and multifaceted. It’s unfortunate that you have such a low opinion of women, though not exactly surprising. Women are not just walking uteruses. Why is it the only lives you people care about are those of unborn fetuses? What about the lives of the people who are born, and why do you stop caring about them once they leave the womb? What about the right of every person who is born to liberty and the pursuit of happiness?
Anonymous
February 4th, 2010
9:12 pm
I actually work at an abortion clinic and there is no soliciting going on. It is the woman who chooses to call our clinic and make an appointment. We have black women, white women, Hispanic women, etc. who choose to make that call. In no way do we go to them. If more black women get abortions than white women, then you have to ask yourselves why. Frankly, it is a lack of birth control. They choose not to use it. It is a woman’s choice to terminate her pregnancy. No one is trying to exterminate anybody.
ND
February 4th, 2010
9:12 pm
“Species? Since when has is been ok to refer to African-American children as an endangered species? Did this Anti-Abortion group even consider checking with the NAACP to gage if it would be appropriate to use this when refering to Black Children? Species is typically used when refering to animals in th wild. Un-Freak’n Believable!”
In fairness, the black rapper Ice Cube released a song entitled “Endangered Species”, comparing young black males to endangered species in the wild. It is actually a very good track.
BE THE CHANGE.
February 4th, 2010
9:13 pm
Oh and good job on quoting everything I say as if you’re actually saying something. I know you THINK that changing a few key words makes it valid for your argument, but all it shows is that you once again fail to understand anything that’s being discussed. Although it is nice to see that you recognize when someone has the intellectual high-ground.
Tamika
February 4th, 2010
9:16 pm
I was aborted a million times and Ims still her.. I say abort as much as you can!!
javatoad
February 4th, 2010
9:17 pm
Jesus said “If you seek to save your own life [ie: by having an abortion to make life less complicated, more comfortable, less embarrassing, less financially restricting, less tied down, more personally fulfilling] you will LOSE it, but if you lose your life for My sake [ie: by protecting the innocent and vulnerable, by postponing your personal sastifaction, by foregoing sex until you are married, by being willing to do what you know is right for the sake of others] you will find it.”
Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness
February 4th, 2010
9:18 pm
Stay on point, “Be the Change”! (Great moniker, BTW! That can be used either for or against any issue.) You’re mixing the fruit bowl again.
A choice is a whim. A whim is a choice. When it comes down to it, however complex the issue, you still have a very simple choice. Yes or no. Keep the baby; kill the baby. There’s nothing complex about that.
The situation and circumstances may be indeed complex as they are in the cases of rape or incest, but the choice still remains so very simple.
Please do not insult me or your own intelligence by putting words into my mouth. I have never stated any disparagement against any woman. Why did you state what you did? Is that something that you stereotypically believe anyone who doesn’t agree with you believes? That’s not the case. Who are you to stereotype? Who are you to judge? Who gave you the right to impose your morality upon me or anyone else?
Again, where do you get your basis for morality and imposing your right to death upon the unborn?
BE THE CHANGE.
February 4th, 2010
9:18 pm
If you want to stop abortions from happening, try actually doing something positive to improve education, poverty, access to healthcare, etc. You can’t expect to preach abstinence, withhold birth control, tolerate sub-par standards for sex education and then be morally outraged when unprepared mothers want to end an unplanned pregnancy.
Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness
February 4th, 2010
9:21 pm
So, are you saying that you would actually stop abortions if all of the items that you listed actually came to pass? I would probably wager that you wouldn’t.
Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness
February 4th, 2010
9:27 pm
Actually, I have never given any list of items which would stop abortion. The law (when it said that abortions were illegal prior to the early 70s) just served to restrain evil. The law doesn’t change a person. All of those items that you list can’t actually change a person. Just like having a law against rape doesn’t actually stop rape from occurring. It can restrain the evil of rape, but it can’t actually change a person and cause them not to want to rape (murder, steal, ad infinitem). While your list may be full of good things and be out of a sincere concern for others, that list doesn’t actually change a person.
A change of heart is what is needed. A change on the inside, not a change of environment.
BE THE CHANGE.
February 4th, 2010
9:28 pm
No, I would NEVER make abortion illegal in any scenario because I don’t believe in denying any woman the right to do what she thinks is best for her own body and any potential children she may have. I personally think women should be trusted to decide for themselves whether or not they’re actually prepared to bring life into this world because they’re the ones who are going to be responsible for that life.
My point, which again you seem to have missed, is that there are more productive ways to fight for a cause you believe in than just pontificating on the same tired spiel and trying to shame or guilt people into making decisions that affect YOU in no way but make a world of difference to them.
BE THE CHANGE.
February 4th, 2010
9:34 pm
Nothing can ever change human nature. That’s a moot point because woman who have abortions don’t become pregnant because they want to. A change of heart isn’t what keeps her from getting pregnant in the first place – it’s education and responsible safe sex practices that are going to prevent (in most cases) unplanned pregnancies in the first place.
Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness
February 4th, 2010
9:37 pm
Actually, it makes a huge difference to society whether or not the birth rate is in decline or is increasing. That’s a fallacy to think that the taking of any life whether born or unborn.
A person only feels shame if they think or know that something which they have done or are about to do is wrong. If it’s not wrong to a person who is about to kill their unborn baby, they will not feel any shame or guilt. What does the issue of right or wrong have to do to someone who doesn’t believe in right or wrong.
As for trust … I am not so naive to believe that you actually have a Polly Anna attitude. You sound way too intelligent for that. When your trust is violated, how do you react?
Whether or not abortion is illegal will not keep women from killing their unborn babies if they so choose. Again, the law restrains evil. It doesn’t stop it. A woman will find a way to kill that baby if she wants to do so.
What the right to abortion folks want is the pleasure of unprotected sex without the responsibility of the ramifications of their choice. That’s what it all comes down to.
Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness
February 4th, 2010
9:39 pm
I have to disagree with you on your last point. You can’t tell me that any red-blooded passionate man or woman thinks of their college degrees and educational level in the midst of heated passion. Most guys can’t even think until they are 50 much less think when most of their blood is in their nether regions.
Joe
February 4th, 2010
9:39 pm
Abortion is a much better alternative than bringing a fatherless child into a world of poverty and a cycle of abandonment and teenagers having children. There are too few abortions.
fultonrighty
February 4th, 2010
9:44 pm
A person’s a person, no matter how small… or how black.
Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness
February 4th, 2010
9:45 pm
Zinc and Be the Change, I enjoyed the discourse with you both this evening. You made me think, and I know that you probably won’t admit it on this forum, but I hope that it was reciprocated. You’re both very intelligent and passionate about what you believe, and I admire that. I hope that you have a great weekend, Be careful on the wet roads!
DBH
February 4th, 2010
9:47 pm
I applaud this bold move. It’s about time people recognize how the mindset of Margaret Sanger and Planned Parenthood have decimated black families for decades with their “targeted” abortion strategies. Contrary to popular belief, blacks are traditionally PRO-LIFE and I address the issue blacks and life on my Web site at: http:www.blackthen.com.
And to the often-asked question of how many of us pro-lifers are also pro-death penalty? I am on both counts. The difference in the two that people like the person who posed the question REFUSES to understand, is that one involves the innocent and the other involves the guilty. And before you up and bring the Bible into all this (as those who think like you usually try to do), the Commandment does not say “thou shalt not kill.” The correct translation is “thou shalt not “murder.” Big difference.
lilt
February 4th, 2010
9:48 pm
“nether regions?” Are you for real, Life and Liberty Person? You just made an excellent argument for the legal right for abortion.
Losing fight
February 4th, 2010
9:49 pm
Keep fighting for the government’s right to dictate what people can do with their bodies. All the time, energy and money you’re spending could feed a lot of starving children, but the anti-choice zealots would rather waste it on a losing fight.
Joe
February 4th, 2010
9:53 pm
Abortion is not a moral argument. It is an economic necessity.
BE THE CHANGE.
February 4th, 2010
9:55 pm
When I say education, I obviously don’t mean that having a college degree is going to keep anyone from wanting to have sex. There’s nothing wrong with having sex, the problem is that they’re not being educated on how to have safe sex, and that results in way too many pregnancies that are unplanned and children that aren’t wanted.
Also, I’m not going to say that everyone makes the right choice every time. That would be asinine. But what makes you think you or anyone else can make that decision for them? As a woman, I know personally would not bring a child into this world if I didn’t think I would be able to protect and provide for that child. But every woman has the right to make that choice for herself, and it’s appalling that anyone would try to take away that right.
lilt
February 4th, 2010
10:00 pm
Your abstinence programs are a joke. You don’t even adopt the unwanted babies. You are bullies at centers for pregnant girls. Your “friends” have actually murdered abortion doctors. You don’t cherish life, you covet righteousness.
fultonrighty
February 4th, 2010
10:01 pm
Joe, I am scared by your utilitarian view of life. God forbid YOU ever get incapacitated or even “economically disabled.” I hope you won’t be treated like you want to treat the unborn.
Your life is far more than your ability to contribute to society, your economic value, your emotional value to others. You are a human being to be respected, cared for, and protected. You are not expendable and disposable.
DBH
February 4th, 2010
10:02 pm
@ BE THE CHANGE: You say it is “appalling” that anyone would try and take away the “right” of a woman to abort an unborn child. But let’s apply your logic to the issue of slavery when blacks, not unlike the unborn today, were considered as “non-persons.” Would you also argue that it would be “appalling” for abolitionists to try to take away the “right” of a slave owner to own another human being simply because a court ruled that the slave was property and not a person? After all, it’s their slave and they should be able to do what they please with it, right?
The Cynical White Boy
February 4th, 2010
10:03 pm
A Very Wise Woman Once Said:
“If men got pregnant, abortion would be a sacrament”
There ya go.
Tina
February 4th, 2010
10:11 pm
If it were the “woman’s body” then she would be dead after an abortion. It is not her body. Rather, she is carrying another human being. I have personally had 4 abortions, and that happened because I failed to use birth control and willingly had unprotected sex. Then when I got pregnant, I nonchalantly had abortions. It was like my birth control. Women are not stupid. We know that if we have sex with no birth control, we just might get knocked up. Furthermore, they women know abortion is wrong, but do it anyway. Personally, I have always known that abortion was wrong, that it is murder, but I did it because it was convenient for ME. Women need to take more responsibilty and stop making babies that they either don’t want and abort, or have and can’t feed. That goes for black, white and any other “race.” But I will say this: There may be more whites on welfare and getting abortions, but black folks are disproportionately aborting children or having them end up on welfare. But all of us need to spreading our legs if we are unwilling to have a baby and are unable to feed them. Women in particular need to stop having babies by every new boyfriend they get. I am now married, pregnant and in the financial position to have a child, and it’s funny how the “fetus” is now my child–from conception!
lilt
February 4th, 2010
10:11 pm
Right on, White Boy!!
fultonrighty
February 4th, 2010
10:12 pm
to lilt–actually there aren’t a lot of “unwanted babies.” I am blessed to have been able to adopt two infants whose teen birthmothers chose to carry them to term and then chose us to be their parents. Less than 1% of women in unplanned pregnancies choose adoption; half choose abortion, half choose parenting. I admire those who make the loving, sacrificial choice to go through pregnancy and delivery and then place them to a home ready and able to provide love and A FATHER. It is a tough choice, but we know at least one of our birthmothers has gone on to education, marriage and motherhood. The other we have been unable to stay in touch with.
Black babies are very adoptable, but their birthmothers prefer black couples, and they are harder to come by. Adoption is becoming more valued in black churches.
It is mostly the formerly neglected and abused kids in foster care who are difficult to place, not “unwanted babies.” Literally tens of thousands of couples are awaiting babies to adopt, and few are available.
Tina
February 4th, 2010
10:13 pm
Sorry for the typos.
Idiocracy
February 4th, 2010
10:17 pm
This is the least intelligent conversation I’ve ever seen on here and that’s saying something!
You want to talk about racism? I can’t count how many teachers I have heard say about little black boys and girls, “Some people shouldn’t have children,” but who are adamandly pro-life. How do they reconcile this contradiction, you ask? Well, they don’t, because they’re idiots with no grasp of logic.
And these are people teaching our children. I’m sure some of you were taught by the very same by the looks of the lack of facts and logic on this thread. Especially y’all who couldn’t understant that non-profit means not making a profit. Duh!
Enjoy your ignorance everyone. Ever see the movie Idiocracy? We’re headed that way….
The world will end not with a bang, but with a “duh…..”
Wade
February 4th, 2010
10:20 pm
Survey questions for those pro-lifers out there:
1) Do you support abstinence only education or an alternate sex education?
2) What do you think of gay couples adopting?
Tina
February 4th, 2010
10:21 pm
@idiocracy: you should have named yourself “idiot” if you don’t think that somebody is profiting from a so-called non-profit. HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!
Dr. Aborto
February 4th, 2010
10:24 pm
I have hope that the democrat party will eventually abort themselves into extinction.
Wade
February 4th, 2010
10:24 pm
3) If abortion is made illegal, will people continue to do it, but in a more unhealthy manner?
Sarah
February 4th, 2010
10:27 pm
There are a lot of anti-choice doozies in this thread but this had me rolling: “A baby’s brain waves can be detected 6 weeks after conception.”
Thou shalt not bear false witness ring a bell?
Tina
February 4th, 2010
10:29 pm
@ wade:
1) we should all be pro-life. if you are not then there is something fundamentally wrong with you.
2) I believe parents should be educating their children about sex according to their own moral code–but most are too damn sorry–but if it is done in schools, we have to be realistic an know that many kids are not raised right and will therefore throw their bodies to anyone who asks–so you might just need alt to abstinence
3) I am not in favor of homosexuality per se, but I respect the people, and I believe that anyone who wants to give a child love should be able to do so. Some folks are afraid that they will teach the kids that it is ok to be homosexual–which may be the case–but I think it could also teach kids to love one another no matter the race, sex, orientation or whatever other difference they mey have.
Tina
February 4th, 2010
10:31 pm
@wade: I can speak for myself and say that if abortion had been illegal, I would have likely thought twice before getting knocked up in the first place. And if I did get pregnant, I would have been more likely to have the baby.
vuduchld
February 4th, 2010
10:32 pm
I live in Memphis, which has one of the HIGHEST infant mortality rates in the nation. No, not abortion, INFANT MORTALITY RATES, so how can black women be a target of pro-choice groups. The “Radiance Foundation” or whatever they are is yet another example of the foolishness going on in America. Most of the women I know have or are having children. So tell, me when the child is born who picks up the future tab, Radiance Foundation? Of course not, they are headed off to another faux cause, whatever the hell that is. These people have not and will never care about a child because they’re too wrapped up in soliciting donations to keep the gravy train afloat.
If these people were serious and trust me, they’re not, it all about INFANT MORTALITY RATES, not abortions!!
Tina
February 4th, 2010
10:34 pm
@ sarah: don’t know about the brain waves but there is definitely a heart beat at 6 weeks. Wen you are at the abortion clinic, they don’t let you hear it, and turn the monitor away. But when I got pregnant with this child, I saw her and I saw and heard her little heart beating at 6 weeks. That is when I truly realized what I had done by having abortions.
Wade
February 4th, 2010
10:36 pm
Ouch on number 1! But you still haven’t answered the real number 3.
Sarah
February 4th, 2010
10:36 pm
The same people who pretend to give a crap about black babies will be the first to shun a black mother with children who struggles to feed, clothe, educate and obtain health care for their black children. It’s so transparent. “Not my tax dollars!” is probably on the tip of their tongue at all times. I imagine they don’t want to live near families of color or let their own lilly white spawn have black friends (or, GASP! boyfriends) either. Hypocrites.
lilt
February 4th, 2010
10:38 pm
Thank you for your comment, Fultonrighty. You are very blessed to have those children in your life. I think adoption is a wonderful thing, But the number of unwanted children, far outweighs the adoptive parents. The recent surge of adopting Asian babies makes no sense to me. There are so many children in our own backyard that need a family.