People have made careers poking fun at Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin.
But no one was laughing this week as Palin opened up about one of the hardest decisions of her life: the birth of her son Trig, who was diagnosed with Down syndrome.
When the pro-life Palin revealed during a speech at a right-to-life luncheon that she had twice considered having an abortion, it made the maverick-quoting governor of Alaska quickly turn into a more realistic woman than a caricature.
While most of the country think of Palin as a portrayed caricature, complete with signature glasses and designer outfits, her candidness about her struggle with her latest pregnancy was a side of the former Republican vice presidential candidate that could make a real impact in the pro-life struggle.
Trig was born with Down syndrome when Palin was 44, and she said it was one of the hardest decisions she has ever made.
She said that, after tests showed the baby's blood had abnormalities, she considered having an abortion because no one would have known.
"Oh, dear God, I knew, I had instantly an understanding for that fleeting moment why someone would believe it could seem possible to change those circumstances," she said during her speech. "Just make it all go away and get some normalcy back in life. Just take care of it."
Her bravery in admitting her weakness to a crowd that is pro-life speaks volumes about the type of woman Palin is.
She chose to give birth to Trig at the age of 44 because she personally believes that there was no other option. Palin has been a pro-life advocate for years. Yet, many times during the abortion debate, it is easy to forget that many pro-lifers struggle with the same emotions and decisions as people who support abortion.
Many women who are pro-life have considered abortions or actually had one.
That is what makes Palin's pro-life argument so difficult to counter. It is personal argument versus a religious or moral one.
The abortion debate can become heated and personal. Yet, in an ironic twist, the personal can be lost. We lose people's humanity and struggles and paint the issue as black and white.
Palin's honesty brings humanity into the argument, which is good for both sides.
Her strong view emerged again before the election when her campaign announced that Palin's daughter Bristol was pregnant. Bristol's baby, Trigg, was born this year and Bristol has since separated from the baby's father.
Palin's announcement about her daughter's pregnancy stated that she and her husband were "proud of Bristol's decision to have her baby." There was no other choice in Palin's mind that her grandchild should be given a chance at life.
The surprise announcement that the stalwart anti-abortion Palin had considered abortion brings humanity into a heated abortion debate.
While pro-lifers try to keep the life of the baby at the center of the argument, it can be easy to discount that any pro-life woman has struggled with the decision to keep their baby.
Her honesty and bravery to discuss her struggle shows the image of a realistic, but strong woman who is not afraid to admit that she was tried and tempted, but in the end, decided to stand by her belief.
Her struggle gives validation to every woman who has felt guilt over the decision to keep her baby. Palin's decision was expected.
The abortion debate has become more political than emotional and within that shift is lost the struggles of women like Palin. Regardless of which side of the issue she lands on, her real life story brings humanity to a heated issue.
Jessica Turnbull is a senior majoring in journalism and is The Daily Collegian's Wednesday columnist. Her e-mail address is jlt5044@psu.edu.
