This is purely a linguistic question here. I definitely don't want to open a can of slimy earth-dwelling invertebrates here by bringing up the abortion debate. I just thought I'd share this observation on the terminology.
It's an odd thing to reflect on, but that's sort of how my mind works--in any given two-minute conversation you could hear ten puns coming from my end of it. I listen to what people say, of course, but some part of my mind is always sorting and assessing the grammar and vocabulary and holy-smokes-that-dude-just-used-a-double-negative.
What does this have to do with the abortion debate?
The labels each side uses for themselves almost make it sound like they...aren't in opposition. Really.
Think about it. If you believe that whether or not a woman has an abortion is her prerogative, then you are "pro-choice." If you believe that abortion is morally wrong, you are "pro-life".
Think of a similar issue. If you're for gay marriage, you're "for" it, and if you're against it, you're "against" it. There's no double-"pros" here, no "pro-matrimonial liberty" and "pro-sanctity of marriage". It's just for and against. You know that's it's one issue, with two different sides.
But the terminology for the abortion debate is a little indirect, if you think about it. The way it's worded, it seems they could almost work together, since they're both "for" something, and they're totally different subjects. It's as though one were "pro-cookies" and the other were "pro-chocolate chips". Maybe there's a very obvious compromise--"You guys! The ideas aren't mutually exclusive! Let's meld them together into "pro-life-choices" and end this for good!"
I understand that you'd have to be pretty thick to actually think that, but my point is that the terminology is a little amusing...maybe because it's so euphemistic. I mean no pro-abortionist is going to want to be labeled "anti-life", and no anti-abortionist is going to call herself/himself "anti-choice". It just doesn't....sound very good, you know? Some might argue that those labels would misrepresent each side. I dunno.
It's part of the debate, it's part of campaigns and politics and philosophy of any sort. The way language is used, misused, abused, for good or evil, is fortunately a subject of interest for a few people. After all, if it weren't, there wouldn't be any rhetoric, any fiction or poetry, art, rap, songwriting...life would be so BORING. And if there was no one to look twice at or analyze what they're being told, you might lose one of our key human characteristics--the right to make up your own mind.
It's good to be human.
Am I right?
This was good. It had me giggling at the thought of twisting the terminology around. "anti-choice" : )~angi~
Haha. It makes me giggle a little too. Thanks for the comment!
If you're for gay marriage, you're "for" it, and if you're against it, you're "against" it. There's no double-"pros" here, no "pro-matrimonial liberty" and "pro-sanctity of marriage".
Not true. Same-sex marriage supporters refer to themselves as the "marriage equality" movement. Their opponents insist that they only want to "protect marriage." Both groups want to seem positive, because that helps to market their message. Everybody wants to be the good guy. Nobody wants to be seen as the big jerk out to take away someone's rights.
oh. dang. there goes my point of contrast
oh wellz. thanks for the heads-up! there's got to be SOME issue where people are actually pro and anti...maybe slavery? lol
That made me laugh, and then I realized how true it was, excellent thought in posting this, it was creative.
thanks :)
well, interesting but there is anti-war people.
true.
"Maybe there's a very obvious compromise--"You guys! The ideas aren't mutually exclusive! Let's meld them together into "pro-life-choices" and end this for good!"
I am realizing more and more how pervasive this kind of thinking is all over the world. These labels of "Pro," "Anti," "Republican," "Democrat," "Christian," "Atheist."
I know that isn't exactly what you were trying to point out, but really, everything is so polarized. "Black and White Thinking," I call it. People define themselves and others by labels, and as soon they see someone else's label that is in opposition to their own, they either avoid each other, or bump heads.
Let's all get a little more "proactive" and work on "problem solving." I don't have to agree with you about everything in order to work with you. I can find a way to hear your ideas. We can always finds points to agree on. The more people can agree on any idea, the closer we get to solutions.
"Consistency is not a human trait" - Maude, from Harold and Maude