\"Racism, Birth Control and Reproductive Rights\" Angela Davis Reading Notes PDF

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Professor Chriss Sneed...

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● Women of color not included in birth control conversation because it was assumed that they were “overburdened” by fighting racism and hadn’t yet faced or realized the transgressions of sexism ● In many cases, for women of color abortion isn’t a choice made for independence, etc. - it is spurred on by their fears of raising a child in inadequate social conditions stratification of classes forces their abortions in a sense ○ Trend occurred since slavery - women wanted their would-be children to escape the labor, sexual abuse, etc. ● Women choosing sterilization when abortions are not available - again, a forced hand ● Falling birth rate of native-born whites = “race suicide” ● A right for the privileged is a duty for the poor - asserted that it was the obligation of the poor to restrict the size of their families to not threaten race suicide, white superiority, or burden the wealthy with taxes, etc. ● “More children from the fit, less from the unfit” - inequality in the birth control movement - birth control was a weapon to contain “alien” races - POPULATION control ● Sterilization by bribing or threats (discontinuing welfare), deception, lies ● “is it possible that the record of the Nazis', throughout the years of their reign, may have been almost equalled by US government-funded sterilizations in the space of a single year?” wow

What is reproductive justice? ● Honoring the right of women to make decisions concerning their own bodies ● Making questions of reproduction separate from ideas of race, class, etc. - everyone should have equal access/opportunity What does reproductive choice mean? ● Being able to decide when/how/with whom you reproduce ● Access to birth control, abortions, etc. with penalty or judgement What does reproductive justice have to do with race, gender, and intersectionality? ● A right for the privileged is a duty for the poor - asserted that it was the obligation of the poor to restrict the size of their families to not threaten race suicide, white superiority, or burden the wealthy with taxes, etc. ● Women of color not included in birth control conversation because it was assumed that they were “overburdened” by fighting racism and hadn’t yet faced or realized the transgressions of sexism ● In many cases, for women of color abortion isn’t a choice made for independence, etc. - it is spurred on by their fears of raising a child in inadequate social conditions stratification of classes forces their abortions in a sense ○ Trend occurred since slavery - women wanted their would-be children to escape the labor, sexual abuse, etc. ● “More children from the fit, less from the unfit” - inequality in the birth control movement - birth control was a weapon to contain “alien” races - POPULATION control What does this mean as it relates to the idea of agency? ● To fight for positive change for all people and to wholeheartedly, holistically support a cause, you need to be able to recognize the disadvantages, bias, etc. that women of color and lower class communities have historically faced ● Is reproductive justice true when you decide who is fit/unfit to be a parent? ● Addressing every complicated legacy...