Jessica Valenti and Her Controversial Advocacy

Jessica Valenti, a mother and author from New York, is known for her attempts to empower women regarding their choices surrounding abortion. Recently, she has gained attention for her Substack newsletter, which ranks high among cultural newsletters, and for her book simply titled “Abortion.” Her focus on abortion rights is, perhaps, not surprising given the current cultural climate.

While browsing through her Substack “For You” page, I noticed that she utilized the Christmas season to advocate for her views, which some might view as problematic.

Contrary to what many in the media would suggest, Christmas is not merely a secular holiday; it’s a significant Christian event that honors the birth of Jesus Christ. It’s crucial to reflect on the importance of human life and the sacrifice made by Mary. It seems, however, that Valenti chose to embrace a different message during this time.

Instead of celebrating life, she employed the symbolism of an Advent wreath to spread a message advocating for abortion globally. Her Christmas cards included the phrase “Abortion, Every Day,” along with a note of gratitude for her supporters, indicating a somewhat contentious stance during a season typically focused on joy and birth.

The Advent wreath, traditionally viewed as a symbol of eternal life and preparation for Christ, holds a circular form to signify everlasting love. Typically adorned with candles, its lighting marks the progression of Advent leading to the joyous celebration of Christ’s birth.

Using this sacred symbol to promote a message of death raises serious ethical concerns. It reflects an alarming trend where society, conditioned by various narratives, has become desensitized to issues surrounding abortion.

Often, we hear that abortion is an incredibly difficult choice for women, usually framed within dire circumstances. Yet, the statistics revealing the prevalence of elective abortions tell a different, more troubling story. Alarmingly, about one in three children from Generation Z are estimated not to exist due to abortion.

This desensitization to life and death manifests itself in a culture where the loss of human life is perceived as an acceptable consequence of advancing certain rights. Each time advocates like Valenti operate without scrutiny, it feels as though we’re losing a piece of our humanity.