(Herb Geraghty. Source: Rehumanize International)

I don’t enjoy awkward conversations any more than the next person. I look back on the 2018 referendum campaign and what little canvassing I did, and think, well I’m glad that’s over. Initiating conversations with strangers about one of the most personal and potentially distressing subjects imaginable, is hardly the most appealing way of spending an evening. And I must admit that despite being involved with the Minimise Project – where we are focused on having better conversations about abortion – I have had very few such conversations since 2018 and certainly haven’t sought them out. Staying in one’s comfort zone is all too easy. 

Today I read a statement from Herb Geraghty, Executive Director of Rehumanize International, who – having already been incarcerated for more than eight months – will probably spend another year and a half in prison for taking part in a non-violent pro-life rescue action at the Washington Surgi-Clinic abortion facility. Herb’s statement reads, in part:

Undoubtedly, spending more than two years in prison is going to be difficult. 

However, when I reflect on my position compared with that of the unborn victims of the abortion industrial complex, I cannot help but be reminded of my immense privilege. When Cesare Santangelo and abortionists like him tear apart babies’ bodies and leave infants to die, they are tearing apart families and whole communities for generations. When they take their lives, they take with them an untold number of birthdays, Christmases, soccer games, graduation ceremonies, and other priceless memories. 

I am missing out on a couple years of my life. They have had decades taken from them. When I am transferred from the DC Jail to federal prison, I will walk in with my head held high, and their stolen memories in my heart. 

When I think of people like Herb – and co-defendants, including PAAU’s Lauren Handy, who was sentenced to almost five years – and the sacrifices they are willing to make – not for themselves but for others, for defenceless fellow humans – avoiding awkward conversations looks pretty darn pathetic. This isn’t about me, or about us: it’s about voiceless and defenceless human beings. The good news for me – and perhaps for you – is that we have an extensive archive of blog posts to help with these conversations. Simply click on the ‘Having Better Conversations’ tag on the right of the home page and scroll back through our archive. This post is a good starting point.

NB I am not saying that just because the opportunity has arisen in a conversation to talk about abortion, you are obliged to dive into a discussion. There are times when the best thing to do is the exact opposite: if, for instance, your interlocutor indicates that this is not something they are comfortable talking about. (On that: there is a good chance the person you are speaking to has been affected by abortion, directly or indirectly. Act accordingly.)

If you’d like to go one further, why not come along to one of our free conversations workshops? Register your interest here or email us at theminimiseproject@gmail.com. (If you would like to join our general mailing list as well or instead, you can do so here.)

Finally, if you would like to support Herb et al. during their incarceration, PAAU have set up a fundraising link – see here.

Cian