Six months after creating a media stir by describing the process of her abortion on the Internet, Angie Jackson recently took down the negative comments that had flooded her YouTube.
On February 22, 2010, Jackson put up a 2.5 minute YouTube video explaining that she had decided to have a so-called "medical abortion" -- that is, using pills known as RU-486 or mifepristone. Then she live-tweeted what was happening with her body as it went along. Bear in mind that this is a process somewhat like a very early miscarriage and occurs in private spaces -- home, apartment. Angie explained that she wanted to break down stereotypes about exactly what is involved in a pill abortion or that it is always a negative experience that women somehow regret. The initial video had over 200,000 hits. (At the end of this post are a series of links to the Angie Jackson story.)
Instantly, Jackson was criticized, sometimes from the anti-abortion flamers, and sometimes from pro-choice allies who thought her indiscreet. She was hailed for her courage and openness, but this only came from pro-choice allies; and she was treated to plenty of media curiousity as it became the 24-hour story-of-the-day.
What Angie did show is how social media -- YouTube and Twitter -- can create a public conversation. Angie's form of online consciousness-raising is a powerful way to break down stereotypes and direct and open up conversations. Angie's creativity is definitely admirable.
Will it make a change in the long-run? Will abortion critics disappear? Will women seek abortions feel more confident and more safe? May be!
There are many skeptics who poke and probe about the power of social media and the Internet, and without lots of money, few ways to measure the impact. But there is this truth about abortion: the anti-abortion groups and individuals have worked for years to silence women and their positive pro-choice experiences. Every action that pushes beyond those boundaries adds to building a safety and access for women who are considering abortion.
To follow the Angie story, here is a collection of links.
From Angie:
Angie on Her Decisions
Blog on February 17. 2010
Original YouTube, Feb. 22, 2010.
"I'm having an abortion right now."
Angie YouTube Responds to Critic, Still Not Ashamed. Feb. 26, 2010.
Angie YouTube, Abortion Clarifications. March 1, 2010.
Angie YouTube Responds to Critic, A World Exposure (see below). March 7, 2010.
"You want me to be sad? Why?"
Angie YouTube Responds to Critic, OhNoItsCommonSense(Original apparently deleted). March 8, 2010.
Angie Blogs on "Media Circus."
Angie's Blog.
Following this and other events as Angie Anti-Theist.
Angie's Twitter.(@antitheistangie)(#livetweetingabortion recently not available.)
News Stories and Blogs:
CNN woman live tweets.
ABC.
New York Daily News.
Catharine Smith and Bianca Bosker on Huffington.
Mediate.
Blog commentary.
Mara Gay, AOL News.
Friendly Atheist.
Discussing Angie's decision.
Debra Sweet.
Supporting an unapologetic abortion.
MissLaidLow British YouTube Commentary.
Critics of Angie.
A World Exposed (see link to Angie response above.)
Angie's original video is "without a doubt one of the more disturbing videos I’ve seen on the Internet."
Anti-abortion Jill Stanek gets in on the act. Also here.
'Nose On Your Face' YouTube Modifies Angie's Report.
"And before you go drawing conclusions, I'm not so much anti-abortion as I am anti-narcissistic stupidity."
Pro-Choice Criticism from Mary Ann Sorrentino.
Privacy should be central to abortion, not public displays.
The Angie Jackson abortion is over, and the story is done. But the lessons continue. Social media, YouTube and the Internet are powerful tools. How can the pro-choice community harness them?
Posted by Cindy Cooper
Pictured above: screen shot, Angie Jackson
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