On Thursday, the Civil Discourse Initiative (“CDI”) hosted a student panel on abortion titled “My Body, My Voice.” The panel was moderated by fourth-year Jack Siegel, founder and president of CDI, and covered many ethical, legal, and political implications of abortion. Second-year Dalton Haydel and third-year Christine Schueckler represented the pro-life side, with fourth-year Varnum Bayless and second-year Marty Dwyer making pro-choice arguments.
Siegel opened the conversation by sharing CDI’s goals: to break barriers and model discourse while centering students. Speakers fielded questions from Siegel and each other, covering when life begins versus when personhood begins, the right to life versus the right to bodily autonomy, and how abortion policy should be shaped. They did not shy away from big philosophical queries, either, offering numerous thought experiments to flesh out their arguments and examine opposing views.
Panelists found common ground in their desire for the national government to better support pregnant people and children. They discussed ideas such as improving sex education in public schools, expanding access to pregnancy centers, offering free diapers and stipends to cover the infant years, and increasing access to affordable childcare.
When asked what should be done to find a solution for the ever-contentious issue of abortion, panelists had a range of opinions. One stated that the will of the people is clear with recent polling and ballot initiatives, and that whether or not abortions are legal will not change the fact that they happen. Another believes in a national abortion ban with no exceptions, and that abortion is not compatible with the constitutional promises of “Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness.”
While there was certainly disagreement among panelists, the conversation remained respectful and professional. Students in attendance witnessed their peers practice productive dialogue on a highly contested and important political issue. In closing, Siegel congratulated the audience for listening, sitting in the discomfort of a sensitive topic, and questioning their own beliefs and biases. When students engage with an event like “My Body, My Voice,” he explained, he knows CDI has made progress on the path toward a more understanding university community.
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