RACISM IN MEDICINE

Black women birthed the system that is Obstetrics and Gynecology in the United States over 200 years ago when the bodies of enslaved women were used and brutalized in the name of research and experimentation. Since then, Black women and birthing people have been pushed away from their traditional practices. Midwives and doulas have been often forgotten or disregarded as important in the process. As a result of patriarchy and racism, many of the practices currently do not serve anyone who is birthing a child but especially not Black women.

There are countless stories of birthing folks not being allowed to make truly autonomous choices about what they put in their babies’ bodies or how they proceed with birth or parenting, without the threat of having their child taken away. It is abusive and unacceptable for the autonomy of oneself and one’s child to be at risk and threatened because of the number of control hospitals and doctors think they have and are entitled to. The conversation around birthing still ignores teen mothers and young parents who are deserving of support should they choose to move forward in pregnancy. Schools and youthserving spaces should have policies that support parenthood, not shame pregnant youth.

Black families, Indigenous families, and families of color have their own birthing practices that have been passed down and taught for centuries that are quite safe. Babies deserve to come into the world safely, with little stress, and to be able to truly bond with their parents after emerging into the world. We hear everyone supporting adults, where is our support?