The Heterodox Academy Campus Community at Cornell University is hosting a showing of the documentary "The Abortion Talks" followed by a discussion with the filmmakers Josh Sabey and Sarah Perkins. This film covers the historic dialogue that took place between the leaders of the Pro-Life and Pro-Choice movements in Boston in 1995 in the wake of two fatal shootings at abortion clinics in the Boston area. None of the participants changed their minds (in fact, they report becoming firmer in their convictions!), but they developed a deep friendship and tempered the often vitriolic language used in their respective organizations. The movie does not take a stance on abortion.

As one reviewer explains, "while the film does interview women with deeply held convictions about abortion, this is not a documentary about abortion, per se. Centrally, this project is a celebration of women, and specifically the story of six women who were brave enough to face their enemy with dignity and grace."

We believe the message of this film is timely for our campus and universities everywhere: we can disagree vehemently with someone but also dialogue with and even love them. I Our campus and its administration are seeking "to foster empathy and rekindle a sense of belonging, regardless of students' religious, cultural, or political affiliations." This film has the same goal. While abortion is the film's backdrop, the message of the film has far-ranging implications for the current climate around the Israel-Hamas war, political polarization, and much more. 

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