reproductive justice
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Ending the Hyde Amendment Is Essential to Achieving Justice for Black Women
As a Black woman, I’ve spent much of this year watching my own people suffer. Black women are grieving the loss of their fathers, mothers, and children in mounting numbers because of COVID-19. Black women are facing catastrophic job losses due to the pandemic. And we continue to watch our fathers, sons, brothers and daughters…
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In the Aftermath of Black Women's Equal Pay Day, Let's Consider How Our Votes Impact Our Paychecks
Black women are well known as the backbone of our democracy—and, as of this week, a Black (and Asian) woman could well be on her way to making history as our country’s next vice president. As one of the most active voting blocs in America (h/t Center for American Progress), Black women are already well…
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Black Women Are Tired of People Trying to Control Our Bodies—So Wake Up
Y’all I’m tired. I’m tired of white supremacy and patriarchy. I’m tired of the systems that police, control and murder Black trans women. I’m tired of the systems that allow Breonna Taylor to be murdered in her home while her killers are allowed to roam free. I’m tired of the systems that built a faulty…
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The Affordable Care Act Turns 10 Today. We Cannot Turn Back the Clock on Black Women's Reproductive Health and Rights
Healthcare in America has never been just. Inequity and racism are built into the system, and black women often bear the unjust burden. Our pain is taken less seriously; we are often misdiagnosed and untreated, and black women are three times more likely to die in childbirth. From provider bias and medical mistreatment to the…
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Watch: Rep. Ayanna Pressley Delivers Rousing Speech in Defense of Reproductive Rights as Roe v. Wade Faces Its Biggest Challenge Yet
Standing outside the Supreme Court Monday morning, Massachusetts Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley drew attention to her outfit, a long-sleeved leather dress: “I don’t know if y’all can see but I’m rocking my ‘resistance leather,’” Pressley quipped in front of a gathering of protesters. “I came dressed for battle because we’re still in one.” The rally was…
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For Black People, Roe Is Imperfect. We Still Need the Supreme Court to Protect It
This week, the Supreme Court will hear oral arguments in a crucial case that could decide the future of abortion access in this country. It could pave the way for states to effectively ban abortion without ever overturning Roe v. Wade, the 1973 decision that affirmed safe and legal abortion as a constitutional right. Even…
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Sex, Explained Was a Lot of White Noise and Mansplaining
As I sat and binge-watched what I thought would be an inclusive, sex-positive, informative series, I realized that Netflix and Janelle Monáe sold me a dream of black kink and birth outside the binary. Two years ago, Netflix partnered with the news outlet Vox to create the docuseries Explained, which focused on a number of…