Thousands of Americans marched across the country this week for causes near and dear to their heart — most prominently, causes centered around women’s rights, but more recently, the pro-life cause. Yes, the Women’s March and the Rally for Life took place around the same time, but they differ in a number of ways.

I should start off by saying I feel no animosity towards the Women’s March or the peaceful public expression of beliefs. I feel strongly that women carry irreplaceable value in society and that they should be viewed equal to men in the eyes of the law. I am also fiercely supportive of women who strive to be independent and break from any pressure they may feel from society to be limited solely because of their gender. I detest characteristics and behaviors that are destructive towards women in any shape or form.

Perhaps, I may be a good candidate to join in on the Women’s March. Though realistically, my presence would not be welcomed. This is because of the obvious left-wing tilt that the march embodies. CRIT-LARGE was present at the 2019 Dallas Women’s March, and you can read more about the exclusive nature of the march here.

The Women’s March, at the end of the day, was simply women showing that they want to be treated justly by the culture and the law. But given the election of a pro-life president and an increasingly conservative Supreme Court, a big portion of the march appeared to be dedicated to preserving the right to abortion. And we are seeing the abortion conversation become more relevant than ever.

With January 22nd marking forty-six years since Roe v. Wade made abortion legal, many still think this is a victory for female bodily autonomy and independence. Sadly, it’s the wrong way to describe one of the biggest stains on human rights in America.

I wish I could chalk that statement up to me being dramatic or some statistics being flawed, but it is an undeniable fact that over 50 million abortions have taken place since 1973, and that number will continue to rise, considering that 3,000 abortions take place daily in America. Of course, a number of these pregnancies are unplanned, inconvenient, and could present a number of serious challenges to mothers and families. However, inconveniences do not merit the ending of a human life.

Without a doubt, the issue of abortion should be discussed with the sensitivity it deserves, given the serious nature of it. It should never be our intention to undermine the struggles of a mother with an unexpected pregnancy. Rather, we should always intend to help her in every possible way without resorting to the disposal of human life.

We often discuss abortion in an inhumane way without even realizing it. If abortion is the solution, what on earth is the problem? Is it not practical to bring a child into the world? Would the child have a rough life? Does the child present a burden to others? If our solution to these scenarios is to kill, are we really all that humane? These are the questions the Rally for Life and other forms of pro-life activism wish to bring to the table.

A bold display on Angelo State University’s campus for the anniversary of Roe v. Wade. Each cross represents one unborn child aborted per day since the legalization of abortion in America. The display was titled “Cemetery of Innocence” and was put up by Pro-Life Rams as well as Catholic students on campus.

Perhaps this point can be made more clear if we bring abortion rhetoric into other scenarios. If a hospital patient has a rough life after treatment, or their existence may cause a burden to others, is the right solution to end their life? If an elderly individual is hard to take care of, should we dispose of them? Of course not, that’s barbaric. We should work tirelessly to preserve life no matter the cost. It’s time we apply this line of thinking to unborn children.

The last thing I hope to discuss here is selflessness. I respect those willing to stand up for what they believe in, though, the largest possible difference between the Women’s March and the Rally for Life is that no one in the pro-life movement marches for themselves. They are speaking up for the most vulnerable members of society, the ones who have no voice.

Through all of this, I am reminded of a quote by Mahatma Gandhi: “The true measure of any society can be found in how it treats its most vulnerable members.” Let us grow into a nation that will learn to respect the sanctity of life for all: the unborn child, the immigrant, the criminal, the poor, and every other vulnerable member of society. Let us be their voice.

Who will you march for?