Let’s Talk About: Emily Letts

by alrofo

In a recent Cosmopolitan article, Emily Letts talks about why she filmed her abortion.  This has, of course, enraged many pro-life news outlets and pro-lifers.

Miss Letts was an actress, who had body image issues and felt like she was in a constant competition.  She got involved in doula work through a friend.   That’s where she found out there were three types of doulas: birth, adoption, and abortion.  Letts found a way that would allow her to help her fellow person – through abortion counseling – after spending so much time competing with them as an actress.

• “But she wasn’t on birth control!”

Letts admits it was irresponsible to shirk birth control.  However, birth control does manipulate hormones.  It can affect emotions, which is off-putting for someone with depression, and it can cause weight gain, which is off-putting for people with body image issues.  In the end, it’s still her body.

• “She didn’t have to post it!  It could be harmful to many people!”

This is encouraging silence in the area of abortion experience.  This is a way to perpetuate abortion stigma.  If people are too ashamed to even talk about it, too guilty to share that not everyone feels regret or that abortion isn’t a vile thing to do, then abortion remains this dirty little thing done in secret.  Emily Letts wanted her abortion, as personal as it was, on display for the people who needed support.

If someone is triggered by abortion, Emily Letts labeled it accordingly.  After all, people who are triggered simply ask that the content that could trigger people is noted.  Emily Letts titled it “Emily’s Abortion Video.”  People triggered by abortion can thus avoid it.

• “She giggled and considered herself lucky throughout the whole video!  She even hummed during the abortion!”

Yes, there’s no such thing as nervous giggles.  There’s no such thing as a stigma against abortion, which makes it difficult to talk to anyone about it! [/sarcasm]

Unless you fail at reading body language, you should realize Emily Letts facial expressions tell a whole story, in and of themselves.  It was a sad decision for her, but the right one.  The humming was a method to keep from concentrating on the discomfort in dilation.  It’s a technique – like breathing – taught to people preparing to give birth; given Letts’s background in doula training, I’m pretty sure we can tell where she got this from.

Emily considered herself lucky, because she had support.  She knew the nurses and doctor in the room.  She was happy with her decision, even if it was hard, and she was supported in her decision.  That support is what she was thankful for, the ability to get an abortion so easily is what she was thankful for, the fact the experience was positive for her was what she was thankful for.

In the end: 

Emily Letts is a person who is genuinely amazed by birth and the way the body can handle create a new being.  Her pregnancy happened at a bad time, so she had to terminate, which was what was best for her (and that’s all that matters.)  Despite the backlash she was bound to get, she chose what she felt was the most responsible, and best, choice for her and shared it with the world.

If, or when, Emily Letts has children, she will be a great mother.

 

And to anyone who threatens or wishes harm on Miss Letts: You exemplify everything wrong with the pro-life movement.  Pro-life means finding all life worth saving, and here you are threatening (or wishes) bodily harm against a sentient person.  You’re disgusting.