Last week, Saint Louis University’s Students for Life brought campus attention to the issue of abortion through signs, a cemetery and counseling services, all under their “Respect Life Week” programming.

The members of SFL surely expected resistance as they planned a week of anti-abortion-related events. They probably anticipated hostility and argument, as “a woman’s right to choose” is an extremely important and sensitive topic. However, the student attitude that focusing on anti-abortion issues was too specific and exclusive surprised me-an attitude expressed on cardboard signs around the clocktower, proclaiming “All Life is Precious” and “Work for Peace.”

Those signs were peacefully laid out and tactfully executed-indeed, the lives of Iraqi people deserve respect, and we should strive for peace for all human life. But I must disagree that having a “Respect Life” week focusing only on abortion is wrong.

Twice a year we think about abortion: Respect Life Week happens in October and the March for Life occurs in January. We’re wearing different colored T-shirts once a week to show solidarity with other oppressed peoples, protesting outside government offices and meeting about Palestine, Darfur and Louisiana-but when we take one week to reflect on the thousands of daily U.S. abortions, we’re wrong?

Abortion deserves our consideration as much as those topics addressed by the signs along the clocktower. I certainly think that spending seven days to discuss this one issue in no way negates the severity of other injustices throughout the world.

I applaud Students for Life for maintaining their focus, just as I support Pax Christi’s campaign for peace, Amnesty International’s fight against the death penalty and Rainbow Alliance’s mission of acceptance. Thoughtfully examining individual issues, in order to give each our full, well-merited consideration, is the best way for us to work for justice.

Rachel Allen
Junior