Querida CLRJ familia

At CLRJ we’re still celebrating our Heritage and reflecting on the amazing history of abortion advocacy by our ancestors.

Inspired by the courage of those that have come before us, today we want to talk about those negative abortion comments that happen in passing moments—so fleeting you barely catch them. But they leave you with a nagging feeling in your gut that you should have said something. For many of us, it’s easier to speak up on social media or in an academic setting, but there’s something about correcting your father, mother, or abuela that just makes you pause.

We may tell ourselves it’s because “that’s just how they are,” or because they grew up in a different time. We may not want to pick a fight or disrespect our elders, or whatever other reasons we give. But the cold hard truth is that we are not taking the opportunity to help our people be more understanding of an issue that affects us all. When we shy away from these “courageous conversations” we allow the stigma around abortion to persist, passing it on for a new and younger generation to internalize. These conversations are an opportunity to talk about the many factors that impact and influence a person’s decision to have an abortion, as well as the chance to shed light on the misinformation and disinformation anti-abortion forces purposefully use to harm our communities.

It’s important to understand that speaking up can make a world of difference for those around you. When you speak up, you’re showing up as a resource or even a trusted adult for the youth around you, someone who won’t judge others if they want to discuss their pregnancy options, including the possibility of getting an abortion. It’s crucial for those considering an abortion to know that their community will support them, no matter what decision they make. We must encourage and help them access medically accurate information about abortion.

Our commitment to our gente goes beyond supporting their efforts to achieve a bachelor’s degree, buy a home, or land a stable job.

We believe it is also the responsibility of everyone in our community to create a culture and space that respects the bodily autonomy of all people.

There’s a lot to discuss when it comes to reproductive justice, but why not start with abortion? Show up for yourself, your family, and your community by talking about abortion. If you don’t know where to start, check out our page on debunking abortion myths.

With love,
CLRJ