What happens when you hint that having one or two abortions is freeing? Social media drags you, of course.
Controversial talk-
show host Chelsea Handler recently penned an essay for Playboy’s “Freedom” issue, highlighting a woman’s right to choose.
“Getting an abortion wasn’t the first idea that popped into my unripened brain. I was going through a very bad stage in my life,” the comedian wrote on Friday, June 24. “I hated my parents and I was having unprotected sex with my boyfriend, who was not someone I should’ve been having sex with in the first place, never mind unprotected sex. I wasn’t really playing with a full deck of cards, and when I got pregnant I just thought, ‘Why not? I can have a baby. Maybe I’ll have twins and give them rhyming names!’
“Of course, the idea that I would have a child and raise it by myself at that age, when I couldn’t even find my way home at night, was ridiculous. My parents recognized that, so they acted like parents for one of the very first times in my life and took me to Planned Parenthood. I felt parented, ironically, while I was getting an abortion. And when it was over, I was relieved in every possible way.
“I had to scrape together the $230 to pay Planned Parenthood, but it was a safe abortion. Getting unintentionally pregnant more than once is irresponsible, but it’s still necessary to make a thoughtful decision. We all make mistakes all the time. I happened to f— up twice at the age of 16. I’m grateful that I came to my senses and was able to get an abortion legally without risking my health or bankrupting myself or my family.
“I’m 41 now. I don’t ever look back and think, ‘God, I wish I’d had that baby.’ ”
While Handler is aware that the issue (a woman’s right to choose) has divided America, according to the Netflix star, the point she’s trying to make, is the right itself is important. “It’s OK if you think it’s not right for women to have abortions — but it’s not your problem, because we decide,” she said. “We have 7.3 billion people on this planet. Anybody who carefully decides not to become a parent — let alone a bad parent, which is what I would have become — should be applauded for making a smart and sustainable decision. I’d love for somebody to try to tell me what to do with my body. I dare them.”
When I agreed to write an article on a woman’s right to choose, I certainly wasn’t bragging. I chose to tell the truth. #shouldbemoreofit
— Chelsea Handler (@chelseahandler) June 28, 2016
Now, following a barrage of criticism, Handler has responded to her critics. “When I agreed to write an article on a woman’s right to choose, I certainly wasn’t bragging,” the comedienne wrote on Tuesday, June 28. “I chose to tell the truth. #shouldbemoreofit.”
Despite her clap back, the negative comments continued to roll in. “It’s really messed up that this woman has so many admirers,” blasted one Twitter user.
“You let men treat you like a barren empty sperm dumpster. This is not something to be proud of,” wrote another.
Handler’s essay comes on the heels of SCOTUS’ biggest anti-abortion verdict since Roe v. Wade. On Monday, June 27, the justices struck down an anti-abortion law that could have shuttered dozens of clinics throughout Texas.
Oddly enough, Handler cited the 1973 Roe v. Wade Supreme Court ruling for allowing her to “live [her] life without an unplanned child born out of an unhealthy relationship.”
What are your thoughts on Handler’s public admission? Sound off in the comment section below.
