Screenshot from the Phoenix News Pro-Life/ Pro-Choice Protest coverage/ YouTube
The pro-life protests happened, as you all know, on January 24th. The courtyard between the Science building and the Arts building was flooded with pro-choice counter protesters with a couple people with outrageously disturbing posters in-between.
Several friends of mine who are well versed in the art of debate confronted one of these protesters. I arrived at the scene with these friends already in discussion with an older gentleman, whose name I did not care to ask for. The arguments that they made were made for the “defense of the helpless” and to “protect innocent lives.” The entire 45 minutes we were talking, it never progressed. He would make a point and we would contest it. We would provide arguments and challenge his opinion. He would pick out one thing that we said and make a new point, never answering our questions. All the while, picking up his poster and pointing it directly at whoever was talking.
At some point you need to question why they are here. Why did they choose a university campus to protest at? They cannot expect to change our perspective. After all we are the most liberal spot in the valley. What they are looking for is a reaction. Is to get one person so mad, so angry that they take start a fight, or get caught in a compromising position that makes them look like the victims. We need to keep our cool regardless of how much they upset us, because then they will win.
As someone who supports free speech and open discussion about all topics, this was insanely frustrating. It was made clear that this man was not looking to change minds through a real discussion. He was there with an attitude that seemed very passive-aggressive and he expressed his views in a patriarchal manner that reflected a subtle tone of superiority. His actual argument however, reminded me of a child who would talk over you, repeat the same point, and ignoring all points of contention. But then again he is against women’s rights so who is surprised.