The issue of abortion rights is one of the most divisive topics in modern politics, particularly on college campuses. One upcoming event is expected to generate discussion as well as pushback. The 2019 anti-abortion film “Unplanned” will be shown in Dina’s Place on Jan. 27 at 6:50 p.m. Campus ministries Newman and Ratio Christi are partnering with Palmetto Women’s Center and Students for Life of America to host the film screening and discussion.
Newman Catholic minister Courtney Hull said event organizers hope to educate viewers about the anti-abortion movement, as well as generate discussion. “We wanted to bring it to this campus because we think it’s important to have both sides of the issue,” Hull said. “The purpose is we will watch the movie and we will have a discussion about it. We’re not even sure exactly who will be drawn to this movie. It might truly be people who are pro-life who want to see it, but it might be a mix. So again, we’re just trying to give people information.”
The on-campus ministries are partnering with anti-abortion group Students for Life of America for the event. According to southeast regional coordinator, Brooke Larkin, “We’re a national organization and we help to recruit, train and mobilize the pro-life generation to abolish abortion.”
“I hope that people will come in open-minded. It’s a great film whether you agree with abortion or you don’t it’s a great film and it has a lot of truth,” Larkin said.
In a written statement, Ratio Christi co-chapter director Melissa Pellew said, “Ratio Christi believes in the importance of the showing of ‘Unplanned’ on campus because our nation is approaching the 47th anniversary of one of the most impactful and controversial events in American history – the Roe vs. Wade decision. We believe that it is time for those of both the pro-life and pro-choice perspectives, to begin to have open, charitable and objective discussions on this issue as the stakes are high and many have not thought deeply enough about the issue of abortion. The beauty of ‘Unplanned’ is that it goes inside the pro-life and pro-choice movements and does not hide some of the insensitivities and mistakes, that have occurred on both sides. Our hope is that fruitful dialog will be the result of the ‘Unplanned’ showing and we are thankful for the tolerant environment that we find at Winthrop, where we can look at these controversial human rights issues and positively engage with others, with whom we agree or disagree.”
One partner of the event is the Rock Hill-based organization, Palmetto Women’s Center. According to their website, Palmetto Women’s Center is a faith-based organization that offers pregnancy testing, ultrasounds, prenatal vitamins, baby care supplies and “biblical counseling” for women dealing with miscarriage, abuse or considering abortion.
“Palmetto Women’s Center does not offer prenatal care, birth control prescriptions, fertility testing, abortion services or referrals, mammograms, or STI/STD testing,” the website includes in a disclaimer.
“If they do find themselves pregnant or not sure what to do about a pregnancy, they can go and talk to them, they get free ultrasounds and things like that,” Hull said. “Ultimately it’s up to them to decide what they want to do with that pregnancy. But again, those resources are about a block from campus.”
“We want to have an open door policy with Palmetto Women’s Center and with Students for Life just to provide resources and educate people,” Larkin said. “That’s what we’re trying to do with this event, just to educate people.”
From the writers and producers of “God’s Not Dead”, “Unplanned” is based on the story of a former Planned Parenthood clinic operator who became an anti-abortion advocate after allegedly witnessing an abortion and being deeply disturbed by what she saw. “It’s really the story of Abby Johnson who, for a long time worked for Planned Parenthood and was a really big proponent and rose up the ranks in Planned Parenthood, but then had a conversion. And now she works on the other side, as a pro-life advocate,” Hull said.
The film has generated controversy due to its portrayal of Planned Parenthood as profit-based, as well as its depiction of the abortion process that some experts have called inaccurate. According to a Vox article by Anna North, “The film includes many scenes of blood gushing through tubes and onto women’s clothes, painting a picture of abortion as extremely dangerous. In fact, according to one recent study, complications occur in about 2.1 percent of abortions, with major complications – defined as hospitalizations, surgeries, or transfusions – happening in 0.23 percent. The procedure is significantly safer than childbirth.”
According to a New York Times article by Reggie Ugwu, the main criticism of the film is the scene depicting the ultrasound-guided abortion that leads Johnson to ultimately change her position.
“Given a description of this scene, Jennifer Villavicencio, a fellow with the nonpartisan American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists who performs ultrasound-guided abortions but has not seen the film, said that while an ultrasound of a 13-week-old fetus may show a visible head and body, the notion that it would be ‘fighting for its life’ is misleading,” Ugwu’s article says. “‘If you watch an ultrasound, certainly there is movement, but it’s not kicking its legs or recoiling,’ said Villavicencio. She noted broad scientific consensus that fetuses cannot experience pain, and therefore would not recoil from it, until well after 13 weeks. ‘There is no neurological capability for awareness of danger – that part of the brain is simply not there yet,’ she said.”
Senior individualized studies major Ann Caroll is the former president of Winthrop’s Planned Parenthood organization, Planned Parenthood Generation Action, although the organization is not currently active. Based on her research on the issue, Caroll also calls the scene’s accuracy into question. “That’s not possible unless they’re having a third trimester abortion. I don’t think the fetus can fight back, especially since most states have a ban on abortions after 20 weeks so they can’t even get to that point. And they have initiated a ban for 6 weeks, so some states have stricter laws than the 20 weeks,” Caroll said.
Caroll also argues that pushing for abortion bans are ultimately dangerous for women. “Abortions are going to happen whether they’re legal or illegal, and it’s just safer to keep them legal. It’s safer for women and it’s safer for people in general.”
The film screening and discussion on “Unplanned” will be in Dina’s Place on Jan. 27 from 6:50 – 9:00 p.m. The film has an R rating. It is an approved cultural event and admission is free.
