My wife, Inetta and I happened to run into Warrington while walking in Tribeca Labor Day weekend. I asked Warrington what he was up to, and he excitedly told me about this film he was producing. A protest movie against the overturning of Roe vs. Wade. Inspired by Warrington’s vision, I took a chance and offered to help, Warrington said yes. He called our chance meeting—destiny.

I have never acted in a movie before. I thoroughly enjoyed the experience. It changed the way I look at movies and tv and the people who make it happen. I hope I have another opportunity to be in a movie. More importantly, it made me look at the issues surrounding a women’s right to have access to safe and legal abortion.

I find it challenging to voice my position on abortion. I am reluctant to, even now. Who really cares what I think about this? After all, I am a white middle-aged man. I think it best for my opinion to be somewhat irrelevant on this topic. I am not a woman. I am not deciding whether I need to have an abortion. My heart goes out to those who have had to face this agonizing decision. What is important, (and this is why I volunteered to be in this movie,) is to be supportive of a Woman’s right to choose.

When we were in Columbus Park in Chinatown rehearsing for the movie, I was just excited to be there with everyone in the park. I love Chinatown and it was a beautiful afternoon. I was learning my role in the fight sequence, playing a good stunt man and getting flung around by the star, Elisa. It was fun. When Warrington directed Elisa to add the prop to appear pregnant, my perspective changed entirely. It stopped being fun. I began to feel bad about my part in the story. I personally would not be the man to put his hands on a pregnant woman, or any woman, in this way. I was conscious of the baby, the mother, the law, the choice, the criminalization, the righteous debate, the judgments, and the conflict.

How is it the mother is a criminal? Do we even know the circumstances surrounding her pregnancy? Pregnancy is not easy, even in the best of circumstances, it is why I later advocated for the pregnant mom to be able to use the bathroom.

I think ultimately what makes this issue so challenging is not only there is no one answer that is correct for all women in all situations, but also the manner in which we confront the issue as Americans. If we could respectfully engage the debate, we would have a better chance of coming up with solutions that are just and humane and that respect each unique person and pregnancy.

Clearly, there are tragic and criminal circumstances that make the option of abortion a humane option. Women and healthcare providers must have the legal freedom to explore this option safely. I wish there was no such thing as rape or incest. I wish that no mother had to face a lethal or dangerous pregnancy. Or that all fathers were responsible and did their part to care for the mother and the child.

To make abortion illegal, but to abandon the mother and child to poverty, homelessness, and hunger is disingenuous. To say your fetus is our problem while at the same time saying your baby is your problem is hypocritical. I believe we can and must find a respectful middle ground that supports the mother in crisis and the child in life. We can do better.

I hope Warrington’s movie inspires us to do better and do right.

My name is Edmund Durso. I am the Shifu of The Fire Mountain School of Chinese Martial Arts and Energy Fitness Training. I teach people how to maintain their integrity while under pressure, how to wage conflict respectfully, and how to live a philosophy of “No Harm. All Respect. No Exceptions.” This philosophy forms the foundation for all that we do and train. Can you Imagine a day without harm? I can.

If you limit your harm and unlimit your respect your life will change. If we limit our harm and unlimit our respect, our world will change. 

Thank you Warrington for this opportunity. Much love and respect to my wife Inetta and our son Hawken.