Freshman pro-life Facebook post creates controversy

Freshman Jacob Hoback was both surprised and disappointed after his post in the Ohio University Class of 2019 Facebook group about forming a Students for Life group on campus received one angry comment after another.“Ever since I’ve been going to school here, I’ve heard ‘Bobcats for Bobcats’ and ‘Bobcat family,’” Hoback, who is majoring in music composition, said. “I had the hopes that since this campus and the majority of students talk about equality and respecting everyone's beliefs that I wouldn't be attacked.”His post asked if any students were interested in starting a chapter of the pro-life organization. Students for Life’s mission statement is that it will “create a culture where those most affected by abortion are empowered and equipped to recruit their peers to join our human rights movement, save lives on the front lines, lead local and national initiatives, and provide tangible resources while supporting those facing an unplanned pregnancy.”The initial comment, which received almost five times as many likes as the original post, said “no.” Hoback responded to say he would not respond to Internet trolls and was only taking serious inquiries.“But the sad thing was, nobody really wanted to debate,” Hoback said. “There was no real intellectual conversation going on. It was simply attacks. I made sure to state that I wasn't going to argue with anyone.”Some commentators were actually supporters of the club. Freshman Amber Hess recently changed her stance from pro-choice to pro-life.“Once I looked past all of the bad press, I came to understand what being pro-life meant to be,” Hess said. “In my opinion, the media did a bad job representing pro-life. The thought of aborting a human child went against my human morals. Whether it be optimal birth control, more and inexpensive health care for women or safe environments, that's what I believe it means to be pro-life.”Freshman Brian Fogel commented on the post, “I am all for ‘Students for Life’ as in: you'll be a student for your whole life, cuz you have a lot to learn.”“To be completely honest I just saw it as an opportunity to troll a bit, despite my views on this issue,” Fogel said later. “But with regards to the actual idea within the post, I actually thought it was a decent idea.”According to freshman Chloe Grogean, she just commented to be funny, but did not read the original post thoroughly.“People can do whatever they want. If they feel a certain way, they have a right to express their opinions,” Grogean said. “Even if I disagree with them, their organization doesn't affect me in any way so it doesn't matter.”In terms of actually starting the club, Hoback intends to get the ball rolling this coming fall.“I knew that starting a group like this would be hard because not everyone truly understands the importance and dignity of human life,” Hoback said. “I've got big plans, and I'm super excited to help mothers who are having a tough time raising a child and maybe, just maybe, protect lives so that they might be able to receive the gift of life.”