Today in school, a female classmate of mine has duct tape over her face, not speaking out because she is so against abortion. I find this pretty ridiculous. A few people not talking for a day can be a nice relief. An overbearing, loudmouth teenager isn't talking. I really don't this an effective method.

Honestly, what is a few people not talking going to do for the controversy that is abortion in the U.S? Can someone please tell me what not talking is going to do for abortion? Sure, she can express what she believes in, but where is the practicality in this?

bonifaceviii

Canada2890 Posts

October 18 2011 13:17 GMT

I would guess she's trying to represent the silent voices of the unborn or something.

Hey, as long as she can text right?

Polemos

United States160 Posts

October 18 2011 13:22 GMT

lmao - she doesn't actually have a phone, or is not an active texter at least. I know what she is trying to represent, but where is the practicality? I don't understand what people like her would think this is going to do. It does not change my opinion on the matter, and a slightly over bearing, loudmouth teenager that tends to have bitchy tendencies isn't talking. It's quite a relief.

DarkPlasmaBall

United States46473 Posts

October 18 2011 13:27 GMT

I suppose she's representing the "unborn children" who *can't speak out against the fact that you're not allowing them to be born*, or something like that.

But if anything, wouldn't it make sense to say something about the issue, and to make your voice heard? Wear a shirt or button or something?

And on a slightly humorous sidenote, I think that more people would ask her if she's trying to walk a mile in a mute person's shoes, rather than an aborted fetus's.

Polemos

United States160 Posts

October 18 2011 13:30 GMT

That's exactly what she's trying to represent, but I agree! Right now, she can't even voice her opinion.

http://silentday.org/ is the website that explains it.

I just find it ridiculous, and it's not going to do anything.

Romance_us

Seychelles1806 Posts

October 18 2011 13:36 GMT

No this is actually pretty serious and it definitely made me reconsider my stance regarding the issue

Polemos

United States160 Posts

October 18 2011 13:37 GMT

May I ask why people not talking for a day had influence on your opinion?

beberly

United States117 Posts

October 18 2011 13:37 GMT

The same is true of almost any "awareness raising" protest or event. The purpose is not necessarily to "do something," but to get people thinking about the subject and starting a dialogue about ways to fix the problem. That being said, they're very popular with young people who want to feel rebellious and like they're fighting for a cause without actually being inconvenienced too much.

Vul

United States685 Posts

October 18 2011 13:38 GMT

People do the same thing for gay rights, which I've actually seen more often (although maybe that's because I go to a very liberal university). They don't speak all day and they hand you a card or a piece of a paper which says they're representing people that don't have a voice, because they don't have equal rights.

But I agree, I don't think it accomplishes much. I'm sure abortion will still be legal tomorrow.

poundcakes

Norway239 Posts

October 18 2011 13:41 GMT

#10

Yeah, I don't really understand representing people who don't have a voice by not having a voice, seems counterproductive to me.

BottleAbuser

Korea (South)1888 Posts

October 18 2011 13:41 GMT

#11

I don't think the derision is justified.

When's the last time you did anything for something you believed in?

Sqalevon

Netherlands523 Posts

October 18 2011 13:42 GMT

#12

On October 18 2011 22:12 Polemos wrote:
Today in school, a female classmate of mine has duct tape over her face, not speaking out because she is so against abortion. I find this pretty ridiculous. A few people not talking for a day can be a nice relief. An overbearing, loudmouth teenager isn't talking. I really don't this an effective method.

Honestly, what is a few people not talking going to do for the controversy that is abortion in the U.S? Can someone please tell me what not talking is going to do for abortion? Sure, she can express what she believes in, but where is the practicality in this?

I think it already worked since you are posting about it and asking others for their opinion on the matter.
Also I'm for abortion and like the way things are handled here in the Netherlands.

Polemos

United States160 Posts

October 18 2011 13:45 GMT

#13

On October 18 2011 22:42 Sqalevon wrote:

Show nested quote +

I think it already worked since you are posting about it and asking others for their opinion on the matter.
Also I'm for abortion and like the way things are handled here in the Netherlands.

Well... I am very well aware of the issue, but I suppose it is.

My opinion is that it is no one but the parents business. Government, church, no one should be gettig into my (theoretical) wives womb.

I guess my question is where is the practicality?

bonifaceviii

Canada2890 Posts

October 18 2011 13:48 GMT

#14

On October 18 2011 22:45 Polemos wrote:
I guess my question is where is the practicality?

What is your definition of a "practical" political expression? Handing out leaflets on street corners?

Velr

Switzerland10958 Posts

October 18 2011 13:51 GMT

#15

I imagine if a boy would do thas at a "normal" school he would get beat up in like no time... :p

Polemos

United States160 Posts

October 18 2011 13:53 GMT

#16

On October 18 2011 22:48 bonifaceviii wrote:

Show nested quote +

What is your definition of a "practical" political expression? Handing out leaflets on street corners?

Something drastic that would get attention to EVERYBODY.

To me, protesting isn't that practical. There really isn't a lot someone can do to sway the opinions of others, at least how I see it. Maybe I'm just stubborn.

Polemos

United States160 Posts

October 18 2011 13:54 GMT

#17

On October 18 2011 22:51 Velr wrote:
I imagine if a boy would do thas at a "normal" school he would get beat up in like no time... :p

I'm at a public school right now, and there are two guys and the aforementioned girl doing this...

Cascade

Australia5405 Posts

October 18 2011 13:54 GMT

#18

Well, all these kinds of protests are about getting attention/raising awareness or whatever you want to call, rather than actually providing a proper argument.

And in that she seems to be doing a good job, seeing how you made a thread about it.

I guess you and most of the 228 viewers of this blog at some point spent at least a few seconds considering where they stand in the abortion question. Which was exactly what she wanted.

OmniEulogy

Canada6600 Posts

October 18 2011 13:58 GMT

#19

you guys are all discussing it. Hate to say it but if she's making you think about it enough to the point to post it online I think it worked. Idea - stupid. Actual meaning behind it has been forced into peoples heads. This is a pretty largely accepted way of protesting it as well.

Do you honestly believe running helps cure breast cancer in any way? we should all walk around without shirts pinching our nipples to clearly show people what we are trying to tell them! Instead of just... you know... not being ignorant dicks lol

+ Show Spoiler +

Ignorance is a state of being uninformed. for those of you who did not know the meaning of the word.

Thrill

2599 Posts

October 18 2011 13:59 GMT

#20

I wish this would be a 24/7, 365 day year-a-round thing for men who are against abortion. Would make the public debate on a woman's right to much more bearable to listen to.