Greetings, Class Community.
Medical racism in an understated discussion in African American Studies. We explored this topic briefly in class. Please consider answering one or all of the following questions:
How does any of the information our class community discussed affirm, change or complicate your understanding of African Americans, African American Studies, or American Culture?
How does any of the information our class community discussed affirm, change or complicate your understanding of medical history, birth control campaigns, and medical advancements in the US?
How does any of the information our class community discussed affirm, change or complicate your understanding of the history of the feminist movement?
Please don't hesitate to review your notes or research any additional information before commenting.
I found this lecture very interesting. Since I have learned about these issues before in other classes (GWS) it affirmed my understanding of the history of the feminist movement, but also changed my ideologies on well-known activists. For example, Margret Sanger, an activist for birth control, acquires controversial elements in her movement. Was birth control simply a way to encourage women that they had a choice in parenthood (obtaining control over their life). Or, was in an act of racism towards black women? Was this a way to sterilize black women? Or was birth control created for all women with the same intended purposes?
ReplyDeleteI somewhat knew about medical racism before this lecture. However, I definitely learned new aspects and acquired new information that helped to affirm my understanding about the history of the U.S. and feminism. I knew that the feminist movement is voice for white women, while black women's intersectionality often causes their (our) silence. and oppression. Learning hard facts about the origins of things life birth control and other medical advancements really opened my eyes to the ugly truth.
ReplyDeleteThis lecture was completely mind blowing to me. I had heard of Sarah Bartman before but I did not know the details of her case. I was also taken aback learning about sterilization and how it wasn't made illegal until the late 20th century. This lecture caused me to question the real reasons why some of the women I know who are considered "baby boomers" weren't able to reproduce. It also has prompted me not to take everything a doctor says as gospel, because if it was happening then it's possible that it could still be happening.
ReplyDeletePrior to this lecture, I had no knowledge of medical racism. The facts presented were alarming and eye opening, however, did affirm my beliefs on birth control. I have always thought that something that effected something that naturally happens to your body could not be safe. Learning about how birth control originated was shocking and makes me question Margret Sanger's motives.
ReplyDeleteAlso, learning about how African American women would go into surgery for a routine procedure and come out sterile is heartbreaking. We are taught to trust doctors and for them to take advantage of their power is sickening.
This entire class talk blew my mind. I knew that racism affected all aspects of life during this time however i didnt know the specifics of this. The things we talked in class today had a great amount of similarities to the awful things that occurred during slavery. Just the complete lack of respect for women and their rights is astonishing. The fact that they were allowed to make it so women could no longer have children with out their consent is mind blowing. They were treating them like slaves like property, This just shows how we really are not that far removed from the blatant abuse of blacks in america
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