Wednesday, April 4, 2012

Little Atticus


For Lent, I decided to give up my favorite trips to the onsite store at work. But, beyond giving up my daily snacks, I wanted to DO something. I wanted to participate in "40 Days For Life", a campaign that brings awareness to the Pro-Life movement. So, I went to the opening prayer vigil and spent several days praying outside the local Planned Parenthood. The days spent on the sidewalk in prayer, changed me spiritually, and made me more aware of the people that enter these buildings. I saw a poverty of spirit, knowledge, and love. I also met some beautiful and amazing people, who care and love these women and girls. I was happy to find out that the campaign had saved the lives of over 700 babies nationwide, and prevented years of anguish and guilt by their mothers. During this time, I watched a documentary about one of my favorite authors, Harper Lee. She won a Pulitzer Prize for her only novel, To Kill A Mockingbird. In the documentary, it was discussed, she modelled the character of Atticus Finch on her own father, also the town lawyer. Atticus becomes the god-like figure in the book, the one who possesses all the virtue and wisdom that could be found in the 1930's, Jim Crow-South. Her book was published in 1960, just prior to the height of the Civil Rights Movement and no doubt furthered the movement in some small way. It allowed white people to put themselves in the skin of others, in the privacy of their own homes. It also allowed them to see a white man, stand up for a black man. It allowed them to acknowledge right's right, and wrong's wrong. And even though Tom Robinson's rights would eventually be trampled in 1930's Alabama, it didn't stop Atticus from doing everything in his power to save an innocent man. The same is true for those who stand up for life in 2012. It's sometimes difficult to go against the masses and stand up for what is right. The Pro-Life Movement today, is the new Civil Rights Movement. The unborn child is denied the basic right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness, because he or she is unable to speak out. We must be their Atticus. Slavery, racism, segregation, and prejudice was wrong then and it's wrong now. Abortion is wrong now, and will always be wrong. I'd like to think there's a little Atticus in all of us and especially in all of those who speak out for the unborn!

Keep on Dancing!!