I am Emily X.

You may have noticed this blog as a featured link. Workers from Planned Parenthood describe what their days are like, the difficulties they face, and how proud they are to provide quality healthcare to women in need. Well, I am only a volunteer, but I thought I would take this opportunity to describe my time at Planned Parenthood.

Usually, I volunteer at a quiet clinic never visited by protesters. I file charts, call patients, make goodie bags, make posters for the waiting room, and basically do whatever I can to make the staff's day a bit easier. Recently, however, I have been filling in at a bigger clinic that receives more protesters. During the battle to get our clinic opened in Aurora, a group announced they would be holding a 40 day prayer vigil at PP's across the country, so we stepped up our escort duties at this clinic.

I was expecting angry, hostile people spewing forth hatred, lies about Planned Parenthood and what we stand for, and ridiculous arguments about women's health. But I think the reality of my experience thus far makes me more upset. The protesters just stand there, praying. Now, I believe in the power of positive thoughts, meditation, and prayer. But I also believe in taking action to further what you stand behind. I am not suggesting that I miss the days of frequent clinic bombings, harassment and injury to staff members, etc. What I mean by "taking action" is simply this: if you want to really help women facing tough choices, why not get involved with the women? Go work at a day care for poor teens who need the service to finish school and be strong working mothers. Volunteer at an after-school program for at-risk youths to build their self-esteem and help them realize all of their potential to dissuade them from unsafe sexual activity. Hell, take in one of the hundreds of thousands of foster children in this country who need a safe and stable place to call home. But to simply stand in front of a building, doing nothing, is to me inexcusable. Who are you helping? I have never seen a person entering the clinic (for whatever reason - to purchase condoms, birth control, get tested for STIs, or for abortion services) bat an eyelash at you - not to mention turn around because of you.

Again, who are you helping??? We noticed today that more of you showed up because your priest was there. So is that it? You want to impress your priest and showcase your piety to your fellow churchgoers? I think any of my above suggestions for action would do a better job of that. I am not some heathen volunteer - I went to Sunday school, I went to Catholic school. I know the mission. You are instructed not to judge - lest you be judged by a higher power. So by condemning the people who come to the clinic for healthcare, for calling them evil, you are disregarding a crucial piece of your faith. You are instructed to love your neighbors as yourself - if a neighbor was going through a difficult decision, would you shame her? Condemn her? Is that how you would want to be treated, to be loved by your neighbor? And back to my first point, you are to serve those in your community who need help - to take real action for those who cannot help themselves. I do not see you taking any action. I see judging, condemnation, an attitude of dismissal and disdain towards your fellow man - the people who are not as pious as you. Well, I see through it. I do not respect your mission - not because I do not respect your religion, but because you are not working for a religion, but to advance your own self-righteousness. To do so in the face of people who need help the most, that to me is truly cruel.

And to the dozens of passers-by who have repeatedly expressed their support, their gratitude, and their well wishes to those of us who do act for what we believe in, those of us who stand up for our neighbors in need, who refuse to pass judgment on people just like ourselves, I thank you. Your kind words humble me and remind me why I will continue to support women and their health. Because it is important, because most people want choice and freedom and healthcare to be respected, because it is the right thing to do. And for my friends who support me in this endeavor, I thank you. It means the world to me, and so do you.