These are students just entering adulthood, traveling a long way, usually sleeping on borrowed gymnasium floors, expressing a love for human life. Even if many in the media disagree with the students and think they are missing a bigger picture on the issue of abortion, the media’s obvious hostility toward them is unprofessional and indecent.
As it happens, two of my nieces joined about 150 high school seniors from their Catholic high school in Mobile, Ala., in traveling the 1,000 miles to Washington, D.C., for the march. One of them, Emilia Milling, age 18, posted some thoughts on Instagram (on her experiences, not on the Covington story) that I find so eloquent, thoughtful, and altruistic that they put most angry adults to shame. Here, see for yourself:
Our life begins to end the moment we become silent about things that matter.” -MLK. I had the privilege of walking through Arlington Cemetery for the first time this trip. I was in awe at the number of people that have dedicated their lives to securing the freedom of this nation we all call home. I was told to multiply the number of graves there by around 20, and that is about the amount of babies whose lives have been ended by abortion. It is our duty as human beings to protect those who can’t protect themselves. And I can confidently say that I never feel more empowered than when I am standing up for others, whether that be in the womb or out. Because pro life does not simply mean anti abortion. It means honoring the most basic of human rights, the right to life, and also the dignity of others around me. I was asked earlier this year what I think is the largest problem our world is facing. My response was that we have lost sight of the dignity of the human person. Pride so often gets in the way of respect for others and I am certainly guilty of that. Respect for the life of another is not something that should have to be fought for or earned, but the most simple of gifts that you can offer another. This March For Life has been a profound reminder that humans are not created to be at odds. We should not live in a me vs you world. I challenge every person to end this gridlock that has been created and stand up for life. The life of your family, your friends, your neighbors, strangers, the helpless. And I challenge you to keep me accountable for doing the same. I can’t thank @mct_campusministry enough for this awesome experience. I am in love with being alive. Life is messy, unpredictable, and sometimes feels like a massive punch in the face. But I am beyond grateful I get to participate, learn, and simply exuberantly exist. #whyimarch #imarch4life
This is a voice, a warm and generous voice, to which we should be listening. And when we in the jaded commentariat fulminate about whatever is the latest controversy, trying to force its interpretation into a predetermined narrative, we do a grave disservice to voices like this, whose mission isn’t to denounce but to uplift, not to harm but rather to heal.
Thank you, Emilia.
