Rhetorical strategies for retrieving abortion rights

ABSTRACT This essay contrasts the reform rhetorics that were used to legalize abortion in the US with current anger-driven rhetorics surrounding abortion rights. Applying a materialist both/and feminist perspective it argues for the ethics and efficacy of the both/and rhetorical strategies used in the reform era. It suggests replacing the radical/reform dichotomy with a spectrum that prefers relatively broadening over more narrowing rhetorics. Current narrowing rhetorics envision large segments of the populace as enemies rather than as co-citizens who have legitimate interests that should be encompassed in the rhetorical frames that one offers.