By: Alexandra Hackett, Contributor
My time at Canisius has been quite different than freshman me would have thought. This past school year, I became president of Canisius’ Students For Life (SFL) club. For years, our organization has been disliked by many due to its pro-life stance. However, the club is not just pro-life in regards to abortion, but also advocates against human trafficking, the death penalty, genocide and suicide. As our name states, we’re about being Students For Life; we advocate for any societal issues surrounding life.
My time as president has been nothing but chaotic. In October 2024, SFL had our yearly “Everyone Deserves a Birthday” event where we hand out free cupcakes to help celebrate those who are often forgotten. I would like to point out that the meaning of this event is not just for abortion, but for the thousands of lives lost by genocide, human trafficking and many more life threatening issues. Numerous comments were made toward me and my executive board, and I was personally screamed at, which is something common for people in my position at Canisius. Everyone has the right to have an event regardless of what political opinions you have. SFL has a right to have a smooth event just as much as any other club. A few days after the event, I got a note placed on my vehicle which read things such as “anti-women,” “pig whore,” “fuck off,” and “bictch.” (This was their spelling.)
After the cupcake event, I was given many glares from my peers. Anytime something political was brought up in my classes, the professor would immediately look at me, and I felt targeted. In most of my classes, many professors share their left-wing opinions even when it’s not a topic being discussed in the course. Everyone has assumed my other opinions because I’m pro-life. I have never said who I’ve voted for or if I’ve even voted, and I have never said any of my beliefs regarding anything except abortion. Am I not allowed to speak on my beliefs when everyone else is? It seems completely unfair that there is only one opinion that can be talked about. I am completely fine with hearing others’ opinions, but when I share my own I get called a “bictch?”
I find it ironic that some people who claim to stand for inclusivity and compassion have treated me like an inconvenience to be discarded. Their refusal to engage with me respectfully reveals that they might not stand for inclusivity as much as they thought. To those who have attacked me verbally, mentally and physically – why? I have never done anything to you besides stand up for what I believe. If everyone else can, why can’t I? But I’d like to thank whoever wrote that note. Thank you for making me a stronger leader and making me feel like I'm doing something valuable to the movement I care so much about. If anything, your note makes me tougher. What was meant to tear me down has built me up. You have motivated me.
Know that not everyone will always agree with you. Someone might like chocolate over vanilla, but that does not mean that you should attack them because you disagree. Yes, this debate is more complicated than cake, but it still shows that everyone can have their own opinion. The election results have divided everyone more than I have ever seen. So please, love your neighbor and treat everyone how you want to be treated. Luke 6:31 states, “Do to others as you would have them do to you.” 1 Corinthians 16:14 says, “Do everything in love.” Love everyone around you no matter what. We’re all in this life together.
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