Historical Social Reform

CCBR’s role is to work in the educational arm of the pro-life movement by aiding some existing educational approaches and replacing others. It is important to understand that CCBR does not work in the pastoral arm nor in the political arm and that its work, therefore, should be interpreted as an important complement to these other facets as well as to the other activities within the educational arm.

CCBR’s work is grounded in lessons learned from successful social reform movements. It simply models the concepts from these organizations in its fight against abortion. Groups that have been historically effective in changing society’s perspective and behaviour towards an injustice typically had three characteristics in common:¹

1. They unveiled an injustice using shocking images.
2. They confronted the culture.
3. They were willing to endure persecution.

Many movements have resorted to images, especially graphic images, to convey a message to the culture. Certainly that is not the only thing which occurred, but it was often central. Images have long been a useful and essential tool to teach things which words alone cannot convey. In particular, injustice that is not seen is rarely understood. One such movement that has successfully demonstrated a keen understanding of this principle is the Civil Rights Movement. 

• Civil Rights Movement
• British Abolitionist Movement
• Child Labour
• Canadian Seal Hunt
• Victims of War
• Drinking & Driving
• The Pro-Abortion Movement

1. Based on research by Gregg Cunningham and the Center for Bio-Ethical Reform.