Sanger Sang an Offbeat Song

Part 1 of 2 part series on Margaret Sanger and Planned Parenthood

Thanks to the hard work and prayer of Americans and supporters around the world, the Supreme Court ended Roe v Wade on June 24, 2022. Most importantly, we thank God.

The lives of over 63 million babies have been terminated since Roe v Wade ruling was passed in the Court in 1973. The recent ruling will stem the tide, though not end abortions in America.

In researching the subject of abortions for several videos including artwork I produced, I came across some photos and illustrations that show the horrors of abortion. People seeking or supporting abortions should do their homework and look at the procedure, which includes dismemberment. Many of them would understand why some of us are passionate about saving these babies. Attitudes about abortion would be changed and more people would likely join the pro-life movement, regardless of their religious views or lack thereof. There is joy in every God-given life that comes to life.

The Supreme Court’s decision to strike down Roe v Wade is on the mind of a lot of people. I figure now would be a good time to look back at the birth of the modern abortion movement.

The Bible has this to say about children in the womb:

Look, children are a heritage from the Lord,
The fruit of the womb is a reward.

Psalm 127:3

For You formed my inward parts; You covered me in my mother’s womb.
I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
Marvelous are Your works,
And that my soul knows very well.

Psalm 139:13,14

“Before I formed you in the womb I knew you;
Before you were born I sanctified you;
I ordained you a prophet to the nations.”

Jeremiah 1:5

Who is Margaret Sanger?

Margaret Sanger, a socialist, was the 20th century crusader in the campaign to control birth. In 1921, Sanger founded the American Birth Control League. It was the forerunner of Planned Parenthood.  Sanger served as president of Planned Parenthood until 1959. Her claim to fame was her push for birth control through contraceptives and eugenics.

Margaret Sanger gave a speech in 1921 entitled, “The Morality of Birth Control”. In it, she divided society into three groups: 

1. The first group she described as: ”educated and informed”. This group regulates the size of their families,
2. “intelligent and responsible”. This group desired to control their families in spite of lacking the means or the knowledge
3. “irresponsible and reckless people” This group, said Sanger are those whose religious scruples prevent their exercising control over their numbers”

Sanger concludes, “There is no doubt in the minds of all thinking people that the procreation of this group (3) should be stopped.”

That was Sanger’s scheme for reducing the population among African Americans. Her plan is still working. According to Congressional records, 79% of Planned Parenthood abortion facilities are in minority communities. African American women account for 14% of the child bearing population, yet make up 36.2% of abortions. Over 47% (that’s almost half) of pregnancies in the black female population end in abortion. If we could get Planned Parenthood’s $1.6 billion yearly income invested in schools and teachers instead of clinics and abortion doctors, the black community, and all America would benefit greatly.

Sanger had a mix of strange bedfellows in her drive to control the population. She had the support of Lothrop Stoddard, considered one of the most racist authors in America in the 1920s. Stoddard was a Klansman and a founding member of Sanger’s American Birth Control League. While courting Stoddard, Sanger also recruited black professionals and leaders. Among her helpers were doctors and pastors. Even WEB Dubois, an acclaimed civil rights leader, served on the board of her Harlem clinic.

Sanger Sings Different Tune From Planned Parenthood

Interestingly, Margaret Sanger sang a different tune than today’s abortion supporters. It is unlikely Sanger could hold any official position in the pro-choice community today for the position she took on abortion. She opposed abortion and sharply distinguished it from birth control. She believed that birth control is a fundamental right of women and that abortion is a shameful crime. Sanger distributed flyers to women exhorting them in all capitals: “Do not kill, do not take life, but prevent.

It seems that Margaret Sanger gets a somewhat bad rap from those who oppose abortion. On the other hand, supporters of abortion, and specifically Planned Parenthood, use Sanger’s influence while ignoring her pro-life beliefs. In an article on Parenthood’s website titled ‘Opposition Claims About Margaret Sanger’, the organization distance themselves from Sanger’s belief in eugenics. They also attempt to set the record straight on assertions that she was racist. However, Parenthood never make any definitive comments regarding Sanger’s brief that to abort a child was to kill a child. Parenthood has chosen to cherrypick what to reveal and what to hide about their heroine.

I believe that the abortion policies of todays Planned Parenthood were unintended consequences of Sanger’s goal of preventing pregnancies. However, this doesn’t exonerate Sanger. Her ties to eugenics and racist ideologies gives credence to negative views of her. In addition, her efforts to prevent life did, after all, open the door to some present day draconian policies on abortion. Certain states, such as Colorado offer abortions up to the moment of birth. Some include infanticide.

As you can see, our battle to save the lives of children in the womb doesn’t end with the recent Supreme Court decision. We must continue to pray, continue to support organizations who support the right to life. Most importantly, we need to offer material and emotional support to females with unplanned or unwanted pregnancies.

Finally, we can’t overlook the fathers. They need encouragement to take co-responsibility for the child and support for the mother.