President Barack Obama’s election signals a real change for the nation and for African-Americans. Many welcome this change.

As an African-American, Obama knows about the slavery, vicious prejudice, beatings and lynchings, and when Africans in this nation were allowed no voice to defend themselves against injustices. He knows Africans in this nation were considered non-human by many.

When recently issuing the order to close Guantanamo and cease torture of suspected terrorist prisoners, Obama stated his values, saying, “We are going to do so in a manner that is consistent with our values and our ideals … ideals that give us the strength and moral high ground to effectively deal with unthinking violence …”

So Obama will understand the thinking that considers persons in the womb, the unborn, those considered non-human, which subjects them to abortion, is no different than the thinking about Africans in the past or suspected terrorists in the present. The unborn child is allowed no voice against injustice, just as Africans once were allowed no voice.

Opposition to abortion is naturally based on the “ideals” and “moral high ground” expressed in the Declaration of Independence and Constitution of our nation. This opposition does not need a religious foundation.

One must say, then, to President Obama, it is time for change “consistent with our ideals and moral high ground,” as we support “life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness” in America.

It is time to end abortion, just as slavery was ended.

Tom Fallon, Rumford