Eleanor Finch
In her 1981 essay Racism, Birth Control, and Reproductive Rights, Angela Davis discusses the birth control movement and its racist aspects. She argues that birth control, as an individual choice and safe contraceptive method, is fundamental for women's emancipation. Davis highlights the sterilization abuse faced by women of colour, such as Native American and Puerto Rican women, who were used as guinea pigs for the birth control pill. She emphasizes the urgent need for mass opposition to sterilization abuse and connects women's reproductive rights to their right to be free from forced sterilization. Davis's work influenced subsequent discussions on reproductive justice and challenged the birth control movement to address racism and class exploitation.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Birth control as a fundamental prerequisite for the emancipation of women | Individual choice, safe contraceptive methods, abortions when necessary |
| The birth control movement's failure to unite women of different social backgrounds | The movement's leaders rarely address the genuine concerns of working-class women |
| The need for mass opposition to sterilization abuse | Cases like the Relf sisters, where young girls from minority communities were sterilized without their consent |
| The broader context of reproductive rights | Abortion rights, freedom from forced sterilization, and women's bodily autonomy |
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What You'll Learn
Abortion rights
In her 1981 essay "Racism, Birth Control, and Reproductive Rights", Angela Davis explores the intersection of race, class, and reproductive rights. Davis argues that birth control, including individual choice, safe contraceptive methods, and access to abortions, is fundamental for the emancipation of women. She critiques the birth control movement for its failure to unite women of different social backgrounds and address the concerns of working-class women.
Davis emphasizes the importance of understanding abortion rights within the broader context of reproductive rights. In 1971, while incarcerated in Marin County, California, Davis was asked to write a statement in support of a reproductive rights rally in San Francisco. She expressed her support for abortion rights but wanted to place them within the broader framework of reproductive rights, including the right to be free from forced sterilization. Davis highlights the sterilization abuse experienced by Native American and Puerto Rican women, who were used as guinea pigs in the testing of the birth control pill.
Davis's perspective on abortion rights is influenced by her understanding of the historical racism within the birth control movement. She argues that abortion rights activists in the early 1970s should have examined the racist deeds of their predecessors, who advocated for birth control and compulsory sterilization as a means of eliminating "unfit" sectors of the population. By failing to address these racist aspects, the movement struggled to gain support from Black women, who adopted a posture of suspicion.
Davis's work on abortion rights and reproductive justice has had a significant impact. Her ideas influenced subsequent UN debates and fed into the definition of reproductive justice by the SisterSong Collective in 1997. Davis's writings continue to be relevant today, providing a framework for understanding the intersection of race, class, and reproductive rights and the ongoing need to address sterilization abuse and reproductive oppression.
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Birth control as individual choice
In her 1981 essay "Racism, Birth Control, and Reproductive Rights", Angela Davis explores the intersection of racism and reproductive rights, particularly in the context of birth control. Davis emphasizes that birth control as an individual choice is a fundamental prerequisite for the emancipation of women. She recognizes that the right to birth control is essential for women of all classes and races, and expresses disappointment that the birth control movement has often failed to unite women of different social backgrounds.
Davis acknowledges the broader context of women's reproductive rights, including the right to be free from forced sterilization. She highlights instances of sterilization abuse, such as the case of the Relf sisters, where young girls from marginalized communities were subjected to irreversible sterilization procedures without their consent. Davis emphasizes the importance of addressing the racist aspects of the birth control movement, where historically, birth control and compulsory sterilization have been advocated as a means of eliminating "unfit" sectors of the population, disproportionately targeting communities of color.
Davis's perspective on birth control as an individual choice aligns with the notion of "reproductive rights" coined by Black US feminist groups. This framework encompasses not only access to birth control and abortion but also the right to be safe from enforced interventions, asserting unalienable bodily autonomy. Davis's writings contribute to a lineage of women-of-color feminism, resonating with the experiences and concerns of women from diverse racial and social backgrounds.
The impact of Davis's ideas extends beyond her contemporary context. In 1995, at the Fourth World Conference on Women convened by the UN in Beijing, a Platform for Action was adopted, prioritizing reproductive rights and family planning. This demonstrates the enduring relevance of Davis's advocacy for birth control as an individual choice and its role in empowering women across racial and class divides. By recognizing the intersection of racism and reproductive rights, Davis's work continues to inform global discussions and policies surrounding women's empowerment and reproductive justice.
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Safe contraceptive methods
In her 1981 essay "Racism, Birth Control, and Reproductive Rights", Angela Davis discusses how birth control—as an individual choice and safe contraceptive methods—is fundamental to women's emancipation.
Hormonal Birth Control
Hormonal birth control methods work by regulating hormones to prevent ovulation. They include:
- The Pill: A daily oral contraceptive that thickens the fluid around the cervix, blocking sperm from reaching the egg.
- Contraceptive Injection: An injection given every 12-14 weeks that stops ovulation and thickens the fluid at the opening of the uterus. It is more than 99% effective when given on time.
- Hormonal IUD: A small intrauterine device placed in the uterus that releases hormones. It stops sperm from reaching the egg and alters the uterus lining so a fertilized egg cannot implant. It can make periods lighter or stop them completely.
Barrier Methods
Barrier methods create a physical barrier to prevent sperm from reaching the egg. They include:
- Condoms: External or internal condoms create a physical barrier during sexual intercourse. They are widely used and help prevent the spread of sexually transmitted infections (STIs).
- Diaphragm: A flexible, reusable dome-shaped cup that is placed inside the vagina to block the cervix. It must be used with a water-based spermicide or contraceptive gel and inserted one to two hours before sex.
- Spermicide: A chemical barrier that immobilizes or kills sperm. It is about 70% effective when used alone and 94% effective when combined with another barrier method. However, it does not protect against STIs and may increase the risk of infection due to vaginal irritation.
Permanent Sterilization
Permanent sterilization is a surgical procedure that blocks or cuts the fallopian tubes or sperm-carrying tubes, respectively. It is more than 99% effective. For women, this procedure is usually done as a keyhole surgery under general anaesthetic. For men, it is typically a quick and easy procedure done under local anaesthetic.
Abstinence
Abstinence, or refraining from sexual intercourse, is the only method that is 100% effective in preventing pregnancy and protecting against STIs.
It is important to note that not all methods of contraception are equally effective or suitable for everyone. Individuals should weigh the pros and cons of different methods and consult with a healthcare professional to make an informed decision about their birth control choices.
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Forced sterilisation
Angela Davis, a Black feminist activist and scholar, has written extensively about birth control, abortion, and reproductive rights, including the issue of forced sterilisation. In an essay titled "Racism, Birth Control, and Reproductive Rights," published in her book "Women, Race, and Class," Davis discusses the racist and classist aspects of the birth control movement.
Davis argues that birth control, as an individual choice and safe contraceptive method, is fundamental for the emancipation of women across all classes and races. However, she critiques the movement for its failure to unite women of different social backgrounds and address the concerns of working-class women.
One of the key issues that Davis highlights is forced sterilisation, particularly among Black women. In the 1970s, it was revealed that vast numbers of Native American women had been sterilised, and Puerto Rican women were used as guinea pigs in the development of the birth control pill. Additionally, Black women were sterilised at over twice the rate of white women, with intersectionalities of race and low-income status further exacerbating their vulnerability to forced sterilisation.
Davis and other activists emphasised the importance of understanding abortion rights within the broader context of reproductive rights, which includes the right to be free from forced sterilisation. The Black Panthers, for example, published articles on documented cases of coerced sterilisation by the state, with estimates suggesting that up to 20% of Black women in the United States had been sterilised.
The history of forced sterilisation in the United States is extensive, with the first sterilisation statutes passed in Indiana in 1907 and the last in Georgia in 1970. These laws legalised forced sterilisation for marginalised groups based on race and class, with similar policies upheld by the Supreme Court case Buck v. Bell (1927). The widespread practice of female sterilisation and its abuse of power dynamic have traumatised the Black community, stigmatising abortion and other birth control methods.
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Racism in birth control
In her 1981 essay "Racism, Birth Control, and Reproductive Rights", published in her book *Women, Race, and Class*, Angela Davis examines the birth control movement and addresses its racist aspects. Davis highlights the fundamental role of birth control in the emancipation of women, asserting that it is a prerequisite for women of all classes and races to have individual choice, safe contraceptive methods, and access to abortions when necessary. However, she critiques the movement's failure to unite women of different social backgrounds and adequately address concerns related to racism and class exploitation.
The history of birth control in the United States is deeply intertwined with racism and the legacy of slavery. During American slavery, Black women were subjected to legalized sexual and reproductive violence, and they resorted to their own forms of birth control, drawing upon African folk remedies. After the abolition of slavery, Black women mobilized through organizations like the National Association of Colored Women's Clubs (NACWC) to promote racial uplift and address issues of racism, segregation, and discrimination.
In the early 20th century, Margaret Sanger's birth control movement intersected with the rise of eugenics in America. Sanger sought to align herself with the eugenics movement, believing that birth control could be used to curb procreation among those deemed "unfit." While Sanger's efforts were met with suspicion by some in the African American community, others, like W.E.B. Du Bois, advocated for birth control as a means of empowerment for Black families to plan their families and improve their economic situations. However, the complex relationship between birth control and racism persisted, with sterilization often promoted as a means of limiting the reproduction of racial minorities.
The legacy of distrust and suspicion surrounding birth control and reproductive rights within the African American community continued well into the latter half of the 20th century. Angela Davis, in her statement for a 1971 reproductive rights rally in San Francisco, highlighted the sterilization of Native American women and the exploitation of Puerto Rican women in the development of the birth control pill. Davis's work underscores the ongoing need to address the intersection of racism and reproductive rights, ensuring that reproductive justice is accessible to all women.
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Frequently asked questions
In her 1981 essay "Racism, Birth Control, and Reproductive Rights", Angela Davis addresses the birth control movement's racist aspects. She argues that birth control, individual choice, safe contraceptive methods, and abortions when necessary, are fundamental prerequisites for the emancipation of women.
Angela Davis is in favour of abortion rights, but she believes that abortion rights are part of a broader conglomeration of issues that constitute women's reproductive rights. She highlights the sterilization abuse that has been inflicted on Native American and Puerto Rican women, and argues that abortion rights campaigns should include a vigorous condemnation of sterilization abuse.
Angela Davis' views on birth control are part of her broader framework of "reproductive rights", which includes access to birth control and abortion, but also encompasses the right to be free from enforced interventions such as sterilization. This notion of reproductive rights was coined by Black US feminist groups and influenced UN debates in the 1960s and 1970s.
Angela Davis critiques the birth control movement for its failure to unite women of different social backgrounds and address the concerns of working-class women. She highlights the racist and classist aspects of the movement's history, such as the advocacy for compulsory sterilization to eliminate the "unfit" sectors of the population. By exposing these issues, Davis' perspectives contribute to a more inclusive and intersectional understanding of women's reproductive rights.
