Decentering “Choice”: Moving from Abortion Rights to Reproductive Justice and a

Multiracial Framework

Beverly Yuen Thompson, Ph.D.Texas Woman’s University, DentonWomen’s Studies Program

Overview

The pro-choice framework The reproductive justice framework Common interests Examples of successful collaboration Discussion: future models for organizing?

Pro-choice framework

Margaret Sanger (1879-1966) birth control advocate, pro-eugenics, founder of American Birth Control League (later Planned Parenthood)

Second wave feminist movement for birth control and legal abortion

Contemporary legalistic framework for privacy and individual rights (keep abortion safe, lessen restrictions, provide sex education)

Pro-choice Historical Narrative

From female midwives to the American Medical Association (AMA)

New laws based on British common law, banning abortion after quickening

1821-first abortion law in Connecticut; by 1890, every state had regulations

Contemporary abortion issues:legal but restricted

Between 1.3 & 1.5m abortions performed

14% of US counties have an abortion provider

24 hour waiting period Parental consent Informed of abortion impact, fetal

development Required sonograms Only 12% of obgyn medical

programs require abortion training 2/3 of providers over age 65 Abstinence only education “Pharmacists for Life” (19 states)

The pro-choice movement:MCAP video

Defending a Choice for Women clinic in Miami In respond to pro-life protests outside clinics,

feminists respond with clinic defenders and escorts to protect women

Reproductive Justice framework: intersectional and human rights

1. The right to have a child

2. The right not to have a child

3. The right to parent the children we have; as well as control our birthing options, such as midwifery

Cairo 1994 ICPD Framework of history of

reproductive oppression, especially of women of color

Global issues SisterSong collective Movement building (root

causes of oppression)

Global context: Maternal & infant death rates

World Health Report 2005

Pregnancy and childbirth and their consequences are still the leading cause of death, disease and disability among women of reproductive age in developing countries

529,000 women die each year Maternal mortality is highest by far in Africa, lifetime risk of

maternal death is 1 in 16, compared with 1 in 2,800 in rich countries

Less than 1% of maternal deaths occur in high-income countries

More than 50% of all child deaths occur in just six countries: China, Congo, Ethiopia, India, Nigeria and Pakistan

“Consider this history—from slave masters’ economic stake in bonded women’s fertility to the racist strains of early birth control policies to sterilization abuse of Black women during the 1960s and 1970s to the current campaign to inject Norplant and Depo-Provera in the arms of Black teenagers and welfare mothers—paints a powerful picture of the link between race and reproductive freedom in America.”

--Dorothy Roberts 1997

Reproductive Justice Historical Narrative

Reproductive Justice

Loretta Ross of Sistersong

Reproductive Justice:Umbrella issues

HIV/AIDS Culturally/linguistically sensitive

health care Family court prioritize keeping

families together Right to legal abortion Comprehensive sex education Increase inmates’ time and

access to children Prison health care Family leave from work Less environmental hazards End sex trafficking

Repeal the Hyde Amendment Freedom from violence Financial ability to raise a child Safe and affordable birth control Fight anti-immigrant

discrimination Universal health care Affordable pharmaceuticals No involuntary sterilization Welfare rights Affordable child care Affordable reproductive

technologies

Common issues & Building alliances

Reduce barriers to abortion and reproductive health care access (repeal Hyde Amendment, 24-hour waiting period, mandatory sonograms, parental consent, more abortion providers)

Universal health care Obama Repealed Global Gag Rule Build movements for Reproductive Justice

Examples of successful collaboration

SisterSong participated in March for Women’s Lives, April 25th, 2004, bringing women of color to the center of focus.

(Originally focused on abortion rights only)

Discussion Questions

What are strategies for expanding the abortion rights movement to be more inclusive of women of color, immigrants, poor, queer and disabled women?

What are examples of successful multiracial feminist collaboration(s)?

How can we have a fresh strategy that catches the opponents off guard, especially considered the new Democratic President?