BUZZ
ANALYSIS: Only offers links to studies supporting abortion “care” along with a fact-check of just the pro-life groups
It was interesting to read how the student newspaper of one of the country’s major Catholic universities framed the appearance of Students for Life of America spokesperson Lydia Taylor Davis last week.
Noah De Haan of Georgetown University’s The Hoya uses the term “anti-abortion rights” throughout his piece to describe Davis, while framing her opponents as “pro-abortion rights,” and highlights not Davis’ advocacy, but the views of those who opposed her.
“Anti-Abortion Rights Activist Draws Pushback From Student Debaters” reads his article’s headline.
Davis was present for about four hours at her October 27 tabling event and debated over 20 students. However, “students condemned as unproductive” her invitations to come and debate the premise that “abortion is anti-woman,” according to De Haan.
A member of a GU a cappella group said Davis “calling out to observers was ineffective”: Yelling to passersby “just contributes to unproductive discussion, escalation and polarization on the subject,” said the student.
The unofficial student group H*yas for Choice declared it was “appalled” by Davis’ table. Student Benson Wang, one of those who debated her, said he was “just shocked and outraged.”
“I feel like no one on campus really agrees with what she’s saying, and it’s kind of embarrassing,” Wang said.
Student Liam Farrell said the event “contradicted the spirit of productive discourse”: “There’s no reason to engage with someone like [Davis …] they’re here to force their opinion or to offer their opinion and tell you you’re wrong.”
Student Kyndall Jackson took on Davis regarding federal abortion restrictions and said she was “shocked” as the topic “could be a triggering conversation for people on campus.”
Yet another debater claimed Davis “alienated” women.
The only student noted in the article with anything positive to say was Ryan Connelly, who noted the event was an example of “upholding free expression.”
“[Davis] has a right to be here — it’s free speech, that’s what it is. You have the right to say things that people disagree with,” Connelly said.
While De Haan, who studies sociology, psychology, and journalism, correctly notes abortion remains a “key political issue” since the overturning of Roe v. Wade in 2022, he only offers links to studies which support abortion “care,” and fact-checks only the pro-life groups’ pamphlet.
MORE: U. Northern Colorado lies to students about ‘graphic content’ from visiting pro-life group
