Johns Hopkins attempts to ban “disturbing” human fetal models
by Kelli
I certainly find it ironic that a university that has dedicated itself to the advancement of medicine and biology would find displaying medically accurate fetal models disturbing and offensive.
I mean, these are images shown in high school textbooks.
~ Andrew Guernsey of the JHU Voice for Life, a pro-life group on the campus of Johns Hopkins University, reacting to the banning (and then lifting of the ban) of a display featuring life-like models of human fetal development, as quoted by Maxim Lott, Fox News, April 15
The article also notes an email sent to the student group, rejecting their display. In part, it read: “We’ve reviewed your pictures with our advisers and have determined that your display contains triggering and disturbing images and content.”
LifeSiteNews quotes another part of the email: “Out of respect for our relationship of the past 30 years, we would appreciate if you refrained from using the fetus models…. We hope you understand that our intention is not to restrict your freedom of speech or expression, but rather to create an inclusive and respectful environment for all.”
Jill Stanek is a nurse turned speaker, columnist and blogger, a national figure in the effort to protect both preborn and postborn innocent human life.
I’m happy to see that creating an inclusive and respectful environment for all now includes human beings in the womb and their pro-life advocates. I’ve known children who were not the least bit disturbed by fetal models, yet John Hopkins was concerned about grown college students?
This is insane.
“but rather to create an inclusive and respectful environment for all.”
To be clear: Our goal is to re-create a culture in which the very thought of killing children is excluded. This requires education in science, and moral ethics, and the violence of abortion.
It is unfortunate that our culture is saturated with such “triggering and disturbing content.” However, we are not responsible for that. We are part of solving it.
Great points Del. Shouldn’t a wise person rethink their support of abortion, which is so mentally damaging that apparently even a medical diagram of a baby in the womb “triggers” a meltdown? Apparently we want the benefits of evil without having to deal with the seared consciences now.
Actually though, I think “triggers” are just a cynical marriage of psychology and political correctness to lead us to “crimestop.”
You know, people can be “triggered” by a number of things.
That doesn’t mean we need to go around banning everything that we feel might possibly “trigger” someone’s emotions.
That means those people need to seek counseling for ways to cope in society.
Doesn’t Johns Hopkins have a world-renowned medical school? If those students find fetal models disturbing…how are they going to handle being doctors?
Also, as someone who has actual diagnosed PTSD, I find the liberal use of “triggers” to be really annoying.
It’s not really “Johns Hopkins” that came up with the ban, it was, according to Fox News, “a student committee in conjunction with faculty advisers,” and that same committee later decided to allow the display.
At the colleges I attended, most “faculty advisers” for student committees were faculty who hadn’t really grown up and thought they were still fun and cool 18-year olds. The idea of being an adult and thinking critically escaped them, but “changing society” like an idealistic shallow beauty contest bad stereotype was pretty exciting for them.
MoJoanne says:
April 16, 2015 at 1:21 am
“I’m happy to see that creating an inclusive and respectful environment for all now includes human beings in the womb and their pro-life advocates.”
Thanks Del, Thanks Kate, also with really pointed comments. Yes, PTSD is real, it should not be used as an excuse to censor, but moreso as an excuse to educate others in ways of prevention and empowerment to others at-risk. Trauma is real, and the reality of it should not scare those without it, but call them to the creative compassion which results in positive change. MoJoanne’s comment makes me smile. Anyone hopeing to foster an inclusive and respectful environment should practice what they preach, no? Students and Faculty more-so. I understand alot of abortions are practiced at Johns Hopkins, however, if it’s purely scientific and not political, then… the fetal models are exemplary medical aids. It certainly calls into questions procedural standards if the doctors and nurses have no idea what the procedure involves medically. They could be removing a woman’s bladder instead of a pre-mature pre born!
Its okay for many schools to advocate for abortion, but as soon as some one shows the pictures, they get banned? I don’t think so… education should be inclusive. Otherwise who is being divisive? Anytime some one calls for choice, a bubble should pop up in the minds of others with a picture of what “choice” looks like. It’s not just a word on a page, it’s a corpse.
That’s what Hitler did with the words “final solution”. If every time he had said that a picture of a gas chamber showed up in people’s minds, they would not exactly have been okay with “final solution.” Words have power, and a picture speaks a thousand words.
“We hope you understand that our intention is not to restrict your freedom of speech or expression, but rather to create an inclusive and respectful environment for all.”
So therefore we are going to restrict your freedom of speech and expression. We hope you understand.
The level of rank hypocrisy and confusion amongst the left who run universities is staggering. At some point the entire false worldview they have constructed becomes so unruly it will necessarily collapse upon itself.
I wouldn’t be opposed to putting a few signs near the approach to the display that had a trigger warning. It could read something like this:
“CAUTION TRAUMA TRIGGERS AHEAD: If you have PTSD due to a past abortion experience materials in this display may cause you to re-experience your abortion trauma.”
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trauma_trigger
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