Reproductive Rights and Race
Black people's voices have been consistently left out of mainstream feminist movements and discussions on abortion access. While low-income Black people are one of the hardest-hit groups by restrictions to reproductive rights, their concerns are not being heard. Mainstream feminism has failed to account for the racism and economic and political policies that directly affect Black people's reproductive freedom. This unique experience Black women and trans-Black people face concerning reproductive health is only one example of Misogynoir—a term coined by Moya Bailey in 2010 that describes the combination of misogyny and racism Black women experience in their daily lives (Anyangwe 2015). Fighting for reproductive rights is not enough if there is still widespread inequality in abortion access and a person's right to choose. Addressing these differences in 1994, a group of Black women coined the term "reproductive justice," which goes a step further than reproductive rights (Guerrero 2021). Reproductive justice accounts for the fact that race, gender, socioeconomic status, and housing inequality are only some of the factors that might constrain access to safe abortions even if abortions are legal.
A pamphlet titled "We Remember: African American Women Are For Reproductive Freedom" fights for reproductive justice and for Black women's voices to be heard. Published in 1989, "We Remember" was a collective statement signed by 16 influential Black women, including former Representative Shirley Chrisholm, Representative Maxine Waters, and Civil Rights activist Dorothy Height. The pamphlet was a direct response to Webster V. Reproductive Health Services, a Supreme Court decision that significantly limited the use of state funds, facilities, and employees for abortions which would severely impact low-income Black people (Whaley 2019).
"We Remember" pointed out a trend of the historical control over Black people and their autonomy. From Atlantic chattel slavery to Jim Crow, and now reproductive freedom, the consistent control over Black people, their livelihoods, and their right to choose has been essential to and inseparable from the American identity. While control over Black people is rooted in the inception of the United States and is imperative to upholding the capitalist state, Black people are blamed for the conditions they face and labeled as incompetent, which allows for the perpetuation and justification of racist policies that limit Black people's right to choose for themselves. "We Remember" details this occurrence when discussing Black women and their fight for reproductive freedom, stating, "Now once again somebody is trying to say that we can't handle the freedom of choice. Only this time, they're saying African-American women can't think for themselves and, therefore, can't be allowed to make serious decisions. Somebody's saying that we should not have the freedom to take charge of our personal lives and protect our health, that we only have limited rights over our bodies" (Gillespie, 2). Rather than questioning and addressing the circumstances that might cause Black people to get an abortion, Black people are stigmatized for their decision. The author of "We Remember," Marcia Ann Gillespie, the former editor of Ms. Magazine, argues that choosing to get an abortion is a form of survival. Hunger, abuse, and homelessness are only some of the reasons why Black people might get an abortion (Gillespie 3).
"We Remember" was one of the first collective statements advocating for reproductive justice for Black people. With over 250,000 pamphlets making their way across the U.S., its influence was monumental and signaled the introduction of other joint statements by Black women, including newspaper advertisements showing support for Anita Hill and health care reform (Whaley 2019). The pamphlet ushered important discussions on reproductive freedom for Black people, the unique stigma they face, and the need to address the pressing reasons why African-Americans might seek abortions—all pressing issues that still need to be acknowledged today. As the Supreme Court enters into discussions that could reverse the 1973 Roe v. Wade decision and limit access to legal and safe abortions across the country, it is as critical as ever to advocate for Black people and reproductive justice.