Monday, August 20, 2012

The #1 Killer of Black People Is Not What You Think

When I first began doing some research on this topic this is far from the direction that I intended to go in. But I feel that I must go there because I was quite surprised by what I found out. The #1 killer of Black people in America is...........abortion!
People often overlook this in favor of discussions about heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure, and colon cancer which all run rampant in our community. But, in America today almost as many African Americans are aborted as are born. Since 1973 abortions have decreased the Black population by 25%, and a black baby is three times more likely to be aborted than their Caucasian counterpart. Twice as many African Americans have died from abortions than have died from AIDS, violent crime, accidents, heart disease and cancer, according to blackdignity.org. 80% of all abortion facilities are located in minority neighborhoods. Only 13% of American women are Black but they receive 35% of the abortions in this country. When I read this data it blew my mind because the focus is rarely on abortion especially as a cause of our demise. So, excuse me for being naive.
I have always had some what of an ethical quandary when it comes to abortion because there are numerous variables involved. There has always been a hot debate as to when life actually begins, at conception, or formation. Republican, conservatives, and Christian fundamentalists say that abortion is in fact, murder, but some want to do away with the social programs that are needed to support children that would otherwise be born in poverty. We must also ask ourselves if it is right to force a 14 year old girl to have a child that she is not mentally, financially, or physically ready for? Then there is the issue of children who are conceived as a result of rape or incest. In such heinous situations it just doesn't seem fair.
Those who are anti abortionists often bring up adoption as an alternative but, we've all heard stories about foster children who have been physically, mentally, and psychologically abused.
When I was in elementary school a lot of times you could tell who the foster children were because they often looked unkempt, and neglected.
There is also the issue of birth control. Believe it or not there are some women out there use abortion as birth control and men who encourage them to do so.
What do you think?
Feel free to post your comment on my blog site or respond via e-mail to theprbrownreport@gmail.com.

PR

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