Every person has the right to their own opinion and is entitled to express it at their leisure. These are basic ideas that most people agree with. However, with that being said, there is a time and a place for these opinions and ideas. Recently, Hagerty High School Journalism published a very controversial article over the abortion debate. The article included both views of the debate, however the execution and delivery of this article is unacceptable. On page 6 the essay begins by asking questions about life. As the piece continues, it becomes evident that the person writing it is against abortion and even goes on to say, “It is my firmest belief that abortion is morally wrong.” And while again, every person has a right to an opinion, that statement is hurtful on so many levels. Despite both opinions (anti abortion and pro-choice) being shared by 2 differnt writers, that comment alone was enough to make the students at Hagerty feel very angry and upset. The same article goes on to say, “The consequences of either decision [abortion or not] are the mother’s to live with.” Not only does this undermine the women who have had an abortion, but also the women who have gone through with an unwanted pregnancy. The word consequences has a negative connotation and stigma around it especially used in this sense. Mariam Webster defines consequences as “a result of an action.” What exactly is the result the author is implying? Comparing abortion to homicide in a school publication isn’t exactly a discussion opener as the writer suggests. It demeans the right of having an abortion as a woman in the United States. As it states within the text, “Killing a person in any of these circumstances would be considered homicide. Why should these exemptions be considered justification for abortion? They shouldn’t.” This implies that the consequences with having an abortion is equivalent to homicide. Some students within Hagerty have had to make the tough decision of whether or not to go through with an abortion. This essay can be very hurtful to them, as it implies they have committed ‘homicide’. As of September 2021, Florida legislature has proposed a bill similar to Texas’. This has received backlash on a far more political level than should be in a highschool newspaper. So, why would this discussion need to be had within the walls of Hagerty High school?
This petition is meant for far more than just the debate of Abortion. It is meant to put a regulation on sensitive topics. As stated in Amendment 1 of the constitution, every person has a right to freedom of speech. That being said, with topics as sensitive as ones like; the debate over abortion should be regualted and filtered by the school. It seems that the input and censorship from the school were not enough to protect the students at Hagerty. Our goal here is to prevent students from being hurt and feeling uncomfortable with the editorials produced from the Hagerty High School Journalism program. The program does a lot of great things to benefit the students, but some topics should just be avoided. By signing your name you are helping us gain momentum for this cause and create change.
Thank you for your support,
Ava Manieri ( Hagerty High school Class ‘23)