Historical & Modern-Day Implications of Reproductive Oppression

Artifact #1: Experiences of reproductive oppression date back to the antebellum period, when Black people had no rights under U.S. law. Whether she was pregnant or not, the female slave was sexually exploited on plantation grounds and was coerced to undertake arduous labor in addition to her daily chores. Slaveowners’ dominion over the wombs of Black women served as a paradigm for early forms of reproductive control.

Artifact #2: In the 19th and 20th centuries, the reproductive oppression of Black women was further institutionalized by sterilization abuse and eugenic control. Many of these practices and supporting ideologies were sustained by negative stereotypes of Black women that circulated during the time. Entitled Sterilize Welfare Mothers?, this artifact shines a light on the "Welfare Queen" stereotype and how it has infringed the reproductive health of Black women. This stereotype pushes the narrative that Black mothers, receiving government assistance, irresponsibly have children to manipulate taxpayers into giving them more money. Framed around this belief, the presented artifact depicts Black women protesting against a bill introduced by the Tennessee legislature. This bill specifically called for the sterilization of women on welfare in an effort to control population growth in Black communities. If Black women did not volunteer to be sterilized, their welfare checks would be compromised and the state would take away each "illegitimate" child born after refusal. This is one of the many injustices that have animated Black women's movement for reproductive freedom. 

Artifact #3: Mass incarceration is a modern-day driver of reproductive oppression. Similar to health disparities, incarceration rates are largely influenced by social determinants like access to housing, employment, race, and level of education. At 45.5%, racism stands as a major contributor to the disproportionate incarceration of Black women. With parallels to slavery, the Black body continues to be criminalized because of the racist perceptions that are woven into the fabric of American culture. It is the perpetuation of these beliefs that lay the groundwork for structural racism and contribute to the reproductive injustices that Black women experience.