Free Pro-Life Memes
4 Ways They Inspire
Popular wisdom advises that “a picture is worth a thousand words”. The shortened attention span brought on by our world of sound bites and snippets makes this seem self-evident. So, when I decided to leap into the digital world, it was natural to employ pro-life memes (posters) – to carry the message. Thus, Pro-Life Designs by Birgit was born!
Pro-Life Meme Photo Album
March 14, 2006 marks the launch of the Designs by Birgit Facebook page. As a creative type, I turned my God-given artistic talent toward a godly mission. Based on a youthful experience I felt called to offer support, inspiration, and education for the pro-life cause. There, in a photo album that is freely open for sharing, are over 650 pro-life memes (posters).
Some measurable successes help me keep up the momentum. A Pro-Life Display for Your Church – Approved for Diocesan Use, created for 40-Days for Life has been used in several different states. Through the effort of Save the 1 partner, Salve o 1 Por Cento, translations into Portuguese even brought my memes to Brazil.
Translating Effort Into Results
Yet for the most part it is difficult to tangibly discern how much advocacy my efforts inspire. As a simple tool, in the hands I am okay with that. I know from Saint Teresa of Calcutta that God doesn’t require us to succeed, He only requires that we try. The outcome is always His – in His time. So I will continue to prayerfully ask for inspiration. Through my pro-life memes I continue to share the products of my imagination, coupled with nudges from the Holy Spirit. Sometimes I find it uncanny how several events in a single day, align to produce an effective result – an email, Facebook post, and friend’s comment with the same theme simply leaps into my mind! Other times, a friend will inbox an inspiring suggestion to me. I love how the Body of Christ works to do God’s Will!
The Effect of Pro-Life Memes
Human nature begs the question though. How are my efforts being received and how can I become more effective? This is where your input comes into play.
The years have taught me that pro-life advocates come from many different life stories. This effects how they perceive pro-life memes. Visual tools have very different tangible effects on individuals due to their own life experiences.
Some of my friends have lost children though miscarriage or abortion. Some have not. There are friends who are not quite healed and also those whose passion could be termed as off-putting to some. My personal approach is on the more gentle, positive side. Many of the photos I use in my designs come from my own work – using family as subjects. A few come from Facebook friends. The balance is public domain. In all of my pro-life memes I attempt to evoke proof of the humanity and beauty of our unborn brothers and sisters.
How Do Pro-Life Memes Affect you?
At this point, I would like to ask your help. In some ways, my little apostolate sometimes feels as though I am operating in the dark. While it is easy to know my own preferences, it is vitally important to know the preferences of the audience. This is where the opinions of others are vital to visual efforts. I would like others to shed some light:
- So what stirs you pro-life heart?
- Is it the quotes? The photos? The stories?
- Do you seek only the positive side?
- Or are you driven by righteous anger at the outrageous stories that show the inhumanity of those who profess to adhere to choice?
Social Media Frustrations
I have been experiencing a bit frustration lately. Constantly revamped Facebook analytics are doing quite the number on the Designs by Birgit fan page. If my work is only seen by 10% of my followers, how will the pro-life message get out? In your charity, please consider ‘liking’ the Designs by Birgit page and encouraging your friends to do the same. Give a quick comment, share, and/or like when you see something that resonates with you and might inspire love and respect of the unborn in others.
Share your thoughts in the combox and share your suggestions with me. In solidarity, we are in this together and the unborn babies are depending on us!
4 Sample Memes With Differing Messages
The pro-life memes below illustrate four approaches to the topic. (L – R)
- Will you save me – shows the contrasting views shown by our culture, where babies are vilified while animals are protected.
- Cancer and Pregnancy shares the real life story of my daughter who was diagnosed with breast cancer at 20 weeks pregnant. Although local doctors offered only death for the baby (abortion) or death for our daughter (no treatment), she found an alternative. Nine years later both baby and mama are living proof that both can live.
- Sometimes life is particularly hard. On those days, reminding people of the beauty of babies helps to send a pro-life message in a very subtle way.
- Pro-life people sometimes find themselves at odds due to the 1% of children who are conceived via rape. Realizing that these babies are just as deserving of life as any other, helps maintain a 100% pro-life stance.
