Lena Dunham, who is well known for being a white feminist, talked about abortion in her podcast, entitled Woman of the Hour, on Tuesday. She’s been an outspoken Planned Parenthood supporter with pro-choice views, but during the discussion, she found herself in yet another controversy.
She started with an anecdote about visiting Planned Parenthood and how a young girl came up to her asking if she wanted to be a part of her project about women who have had abortions. Dunham made it clear that, though she had never had an abortion, she was still supporting and fighting for women’s rights like the great feminist she apparently is. She thought it was very important that people know that she had never had one.
The podcast was completely fine up until this point. But then things took a turn for the worse. She eventually added:
“Now I can say that I still haven’t had an abortion, but I wish I had.”
Dunham had wished something upon herself no one “wants,” but in true Lena Dunham fashion, she wanted to direct it right back to herself.
Of course, many spoke out against her comment, some mocking her:
[lena dunham walking through a cancer ward] ugh i wish i had a terminal illness
— Bob Vulfov (@bobvulfov) December 20, 2016
Lena Dunham visiting fans in burn wards: “I wish someone had set *me* on fire.” pic.twitter.com/7W3mAEYr0f
— JenAshleyWright (@JenAshleyWright) December 20, 2016
And some being just absolutely disgusted by her and calling her out:
Lena Dunham already sexually abused a child and now she wishes she’d killed one too. “Disturbed” doesn’t begin to describe this woman.
— Matt Walsh (@MattWalshBlog) December 21, 2016
Lena Dunham: ‘I wish’ I had an abortion, despite never having one
Me: pic.twitter.com/pjwBXNo8jb— NANA JIBRIL ? (@girlswithtoys) December 20, 2016
Comments about something as serious as abortion should never be taken lightly. It’s a hard choice many have to make for various reasons. Even though this is the woman who stated she’s sad she isn’t gay, she can still be an ally for women’s rights without being so problematic about it.
Update: Lena Dunham has taken to Instagram to apologize for her words. She states that she would never “intentionally the emotional and physical challenges of terminating a pregnancy” and “her words were spoken from a sort of ‘delusional girl’ persona I often inhabit.” Delusional persona or not, these words still have no place in the dialogue of women’s rights and should still be noted.
