Ben Folds Five: Honesty about Abortion
November 27, 2009
Ben Folds says this song is not meant to be pro-choice or pro-life. It is just something he had to write after going through this experience.
I think this song is true. And by being true, it is pro-life. Sorry Ben.
Brett Salkeld is a doctoral student in theology at Regis College in Toronto. He is a father of two (so far) and husband of one.
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4 Comments
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If the song is pro-life but the singer doesn’t think so, perhaps this explains the almost total lack of emotional awareness and expression in the performance. It’s like he’s singing in a language he doesn’t understand.
Yes David, I think there is a serious disconnect here.
I think the singers attitude and expression exactly portrays the loneliness and “disconnect” one feels after this experience – having been through it myself I can testify to the truth of this – its disorienting because no-one tells you what to expect – you feel a sense of overwhelming sadness that you are not prepared for because our attitude towards abortion in this country is casual, cavalier, masking a deep lie and a deep truth – life matters and the lie that it’s okay to take a life is taken for granted until the reality hits – yes there is most definitely a very real disconnect….and then the grief and guilt which most people cover up – grief and guilt over abortion is not politically or socially correct in many circles – it has to be experienced in secret…
it sux…
Meinda,
Thanks for sharing your experience. That is the same impression I get from this song.