How senators voted on the most restrictive abortion ban in the United States. (Image Credit: CNN)

By James Peters

TWO & OUT

PETERS: On abortion and women’s health, listen to women — not me

May 24, 2019 | 7:08 AM

I DON’T WRITE AND SPEAK very often from a first person point of view, because I’d rather not bring myself into most of the topics I discuss.

It’s my opinion that I’m putting out there, obviously, not the opinion of my colleagues or my bosses or Jim Pattison, as some conspiracy theorists are happy to suggest.

In this case, though, it’s important I speak in first person.

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I want to talk about the abortion debate. I have some opinions about it and even some opinions about there being a debate here in 2019.

But I’m not going to. I’ve concluded the world probably doesn’t need to hear from me about it.

I am entitled to my opinion on abortion, as we all are. And we are all entitled to express those opinions as well.

A lot of people are very eager to express their opinions on social media, and although many of those opinions are borne out of ignorance or malice, it’s not our place to censor them.

Before I decide how and whether to express my opinion, though, I have to take a step back and recognize the position where I stand.

For me, the abortion debate takes place entirely in the theoretical.

I will never be pregnant and will never have to assess the prospects of bringing another life into the world — either my own world or the broader society.

Many who express their opinions do so completely unaware of their own standing, and confuse their right to express an opinion with an imperative to do so.

It’s important that debates, discussions and decisions that impact certain populations be led by those populations.

On the Trans Mountain pipeline expansion, for example, there are all sorts of population groups impacted — governments who receive revenues, potential employees, Indigenous communities and those who speak for the environment.

On abortion and women’s health, the affected population is women. And on that issue, we should listen to women.

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Editor’s Note: This opinion piece reflects the views of its author, and does not necessarily represent the views of CFJC Today or the Jim Pattison Broadcast Group.