John Jameson (@notjohnjay), a 23-year-old from Nashville, Tennessee, has recently gone viral for a TikTok where he details a pro-abortion rights argument that many are calling “excellent” and have “never heard before.” The video has been viewed nearly 6 million times, accumulating almost 1.5 million likes.
TikTok: @notjohnjay / Via tiktok.com
John begins the TikTok with: “If my mom was pregnant with me today, like, let’s assume in 2024 in Tennessee — a state with one of the most restrictive abortion laws in the country — she could not get an abortion, right? In the eyes of the Tennessee government, her bodily autonomy means jack shit because they believe in the ‘life of the fetus’ and that life begins at conception, and that aborting that fetus would be committing murder, right?”
Person with curly hair wearing a plaid shirt over a graphic tee speaks in a cozy room with framed photos on the wall
“So, let’s say she gives birth to me,” John continues, “and then 20 years later, I go into kidney failure, and I require a kidney transplant to survive, and my mother is the only viable match on the planet.” In this hypothetical circumstance, the TikToker then explains how the bodily autonomy of his mother is recognized as a crucial freedom and essential liberty, as there is no law, federal or state, where one is compelled to give their organ — in this case, a kidney — to guarantee the survival of their child.
Person with curly hair wearing a layered plaid shirt over a graphic tee indoors
“My mother could die,” John points out in the video, “and we could still not harvest the kidney from her corpse to give to me. So, even as a corpse, her bodily autonomy is held in such high regard that they would rather let me die than infringe on that freedom.”
A person with curly hair wearing a plaid shirt over a graphic tee talks while gesturing with hands, indoors
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Concluding his argument, the 23-year-old calls out “pro-lifers” and those who claim “abortion is murder,” emphasizing that the “pro-life” movement is disingenuous since bodily autonomy appears to be widely respected in every other context except when it comes to abortion. Or, as John says, “Except in the context that allows them the most control over a woman’s body.”
Person with curly hair wearing a plaid jacket over a graphic t-shirt, speaking expressively indoors
The now-viral TikTok has received over 12,000 comments, many from people saying it’s their first time hearing this pro-abortion rights point being made. One commenter said: “The people that need to hear this won’t. Such an excellent argument.”
Three social media comments praise an argument for its originality and consciousness, with reactions counting 5.3k, 68k, and 39.3k
Other TikTok users added to John’s explanation, with one nurse revealing that many family members choose not to donate lifesaving organs. Another TikTok said: “In one of my college courses the professor pointed out that we have more bodily autonomy in death than we do while we’re alive and it’s something I think about often.”
Two social media comments discussing organ donation challenges and bodily autonomy in death
Meanwhile, another commenter pointed out what the potential impact of this pro-abortion rights argument being voiced by a man could be: “Knowing you’re not talking to me, but appreciate you for breaking this down in the simplest form from a man’s voice that might change a few minds.”
Text screenshot of a comment appreciating simplified explanation from a man’s perspective, with 5,270 likes
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Though John has been vocal about his political beliefs online in the past — typically in the form of jokes or satire — he told BuzzFeed that he created the video ahead of the (short-lived) TikTok ban in the US, saying he figured to speak his mind. Additionally, as Donald Trump was about to officially hold office again at the time, John noted that he wanted to speak on an issue that meant a lot to him, especially since he believes America is moving in an alt-right direction.
People at a rally holding signs, including one that reads, “Girls just wanna have fundamental rights.” Crowd is diverse and bundled up for cold weather
But make no mistake: John does not take absolute credit for the pro-abortion rights argument he articulated in his TikTok. “I’ve had a lot of very intelligent peers and family members who have shared their wisdom with me, and I’ve also seen a lot of good points being made online, so it’s really an amalgamation of those influences,” he explained to BuzzFeed. “I doubt this is the first time that this point has been made. I would say that the argument is not mine. I just voiced it in a way that made a lot of sense to me.”
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Even so, with the rise of young men leaning more toward the far-right, John told BuzzFeed that young men could benefit more from forming friendships with those who are different than them, particularly women and those in the LGBTQ+ community. “Alt-right propaganda revolves around seeing trans people, women, or immigrants as a scary monolithic threat to America, but they’re almost always just chill folks who have the same problems you do,” he advised. “Conservatives benefit from you hating your neighbor, but you have more in common with marginalized groups than any conservative talking head.”
A diverse group of people forming a supportive circle with hands stacked together, showcasing teamwork and unity
As for John himself, he’s aware that it’s less about his voice being heard, and more about the voices of the people being attacked that he can amplify. “Marginalized communities have been vocal about oppression for years,” he explained to BuzzFeed. “I’m just hoping I can help them spread their messages.”
For more content from John, you can follow him on TikTok.
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