Sławomir Mentzen gave an interview to Krzysztof Stanowski in which he commented on abortion in the event of a rape.
“You must not kill innocent children, even if this kid is associated with any unpleasantness,” Mentzen replied and continued saying about “not killing innocent people.” It is no wonder that specified a position is presented by a Confederate candidate, but the consequence to his words shows how profoundly anti-abortion rhetoric has rooted in everyday language.
The quote from the conversation with Mentzen was widely commented on Thursday in the media. It was shown, among others, in the morning of TVN24 and in the main edition of TVN "Facts". The announcer in “Facts” talked about “abortion of a kid conceived as a consequence of rape”, while the reporter utilized the phrase “the birth of children from rape”, although she besides referred to “the beginning of rape”. During Charles Nawrocki's press conference, another TVN24 writer tried to get Mentzen's comment, asking him for an opinion on "abortion of children conceived from rape".
Mentzen's message became the subject of comments from another candidates and presidential candidates. Magdalena Biejat She expressed satisfaction that we are yet getting to know the actual views of a politician who builds a sympathetic image on social media. "He is simply a dangerous man," she warned. Adrian Zandberg stressed that "torturing women who have been harmed is simply barbaric." Rafał Trzaskowski, on the another hand, stated that he was “deeply moved” and added: “The force on women to have children from rape is possibly 1 of the most outrageous proposals I have always heard.”
It is good that another candidates quoted in the "Facts" pointed out that a woman, her rights, wellness and dignity should be at the heart of the debate on abortion. But how has it become so easy in this discussion to decision from the word “abortion” to the word “child”? Opponents of abortion have long introduced the word "unborn children" to the public debate, which was initially characteristic of conservative environments. For the liberal part of society, abortion is primarily "continuation" or "termination of pregnancy". Nevertheless, anti-abortion rhetoric has so powerfully penetrated public language that even present liberal media uses wording that suggests the recognition of the fetus with the child.
Moreover, this frequently happens unconsciously and in good faith. Finally, TVN24's material was created not to support Mentzen's words, but to express outrage at his position and to stand on the side of women raped and their right to decide for themselves, their body and their future. And yet, even with the best intentions, there are wordings that strengthen the anti-abortion narrative. If the public language perpetuates the association of “abortion = child”, it is not amazing that the fight for reproductive rights in Poland faces specified immense obstacles.
It's worth a small thought experiment. Say the word “abortion” out loud and think about what the next word occurred to you. Was it a woman? Or "child"?