Editorials & Other Articles
In reply to the discussion: Christian rightwing figures warn abortion fight could lead to civil war [View all]MountCleaners
(1,148 posts)The contemporary anti-abortion movement has its roots in segregation. White southern evangelicals like Jerry Falwell were segregationists. By the mid-70's, segregation had become an embarrassment, and Jimmy Carter was still drawing southern votes. Falwell hooked up with Paul Weyrich (an extreme right-wing Catholic) and decided to promote anti-abortion, along with other "family values" issues, to corral people into supporting the Republican Party. But the movement has its roots in segregation, and is still most fervently supported by southern evangelicals.
Their ancestors were certainly not abolitionists, and they are trying to cover it up. Let's also not forget the anti-abortion movement's ties to the racist right. This is their way of avoiding guilt. They also use Holocaust comparisons in their rhetoric. But many of the ringleaders have family roots not only in segregation, but in the Confederate side of the Civil War.
It's just so transparent and phony.