Does race make a difference in teen pregnancy?

I came across an interesting blog post by a copywriter for an interactive advertising agency in Chicago. Her name is Ryan Barrett, and while her blog covers a myriad interesting topics from politics to fashion and what it's like to be a single woman in Chicago, she posted back in 2008 during the election about the racism that exists when it comes to women's reproductive rights specifically with teen pregnancy. She includes this image and a social experiment:

1. Close your eyes and imagine Barack Obama’s beautiful 9-year old daughter, Malia. Now imagine her 7 years older, 6 months pregnant and unwed. Would she be labeled as a courageous young woman with strong family values? Would evangelicals rally behind her? Hmm… I'm thinking NO WAY, but that's just me.


2. Keep your eyes closed, but now imagine a Sarah Palin presidency with respect to reproductive rights. Roe V. Wade overturned. Abortion illegal, even in the cases of rape and incest—a position that even Cindy McCain opposes. Abstinence taught in schools (along with Creationalism! But that’s a different story). Funding cut for programs that benefit teen moms (see image below)… which would include her own daughter, Bristol. That is, if Bristol were any of the other 749,999 pregnant teens whose story wasn’t being exploited as a Family Values platform by the RNC.


She has a point, no doubt. What really spoke to me is her very last statement: And you know what stings the most? All this regression will come at the hands of one of our own, a woman. 

If you are just beginning to read my blog, here is the first post that briefly describes the purpose.