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Abortion — A very delicate word
This word is almost an abomination in African countries because we are more religion-driven than facts — even if it hurts to admit it. I grew up here, and all I can say is that I’m doing a lot of relearning.
A friend of mine who was preparing for a debate asked me- What’s your take on this topic? “Should abortion be legalized and why?”
My reflex response in my head was “YES” — with block letters — but I couldn’t say it out with confidence, and when I thought about why I couldn’t come up with something “logical” immediately, I got nothing. For someone so vocal on controversial topics, you would ask why.
When I wanted to speak, it was as though the science and religious parts of me were conflicted. I’m Nigerian after all, what would you expect?
I replied with an- “I’m all for it to be legalized, but at the same time my Christianity holds me back a little.” I think my immediate reply will always be “subjectified” at every instance asked because of my identity — a Nigerian Catholic. I told her I would give her my “take” much later which she was okay with — I decided to write about it.
I sat down, opened a blank word sheet, went on YouTube, searched “Yanni” and started with the nightingale. I typed the word “abortion” on my blank page and just stared at it.