If you really care about If you really care about

Racial DiscriminationRacial DiscriminationThen you should care aboutThen you should care about Reproductive JusticeReproductive Justice

Jill C. Morrison Jill C. Morrison National Women’s Law CenterNational Women’s Law Center

202-588-5180 202-588-5180 ◊◊ jmorrison@nwlc.org jmorrison@nwlc.org ◊◊ www.nwlc.orgwww.nwlc.org

2

About this seriesAbout this series Developed to address intersection between Developed to address intersection between

Reproductive Justice and other progressive Reproductive Justice and other progressive issues. issues.

Introduces Reproductive Justice to new Introduces Reproductive Justice to new communities that may only know of communities that may only know of reproductive rights advocacy that focuses on reproductive rights advocacy that focuses on abortion and contraception.abortion and contraception.

Educates on RJ’s three components in a Educates on RJ’s three components in a context with which other progressives are context with which other progressives are familiar.familiar.

3

So far includes…So far includes…

Intimate Partner Violence (October 6Intimate Partner Violence (October 6thth)) Race Discrimination (today)Race Discrimination (today) Education (October 20Education (October 20thth)) Environmental Justice (October 27Environmental Justice (October 27thth))

Please let us know Please let us know

if there are other issues you’d like to if there are other issues you’d like to see explored through an RJ lens!see explored through an RJ lens!

4

What is Reproductive Justice?What is Reproductive Justice?

What distinguishes it from the What distinguishes it from the traditional reproductive rights traditional reproductive rights movement?movement?

What are its components?What are its components?

How does it relate to social justice How does it relate to social justice movements generally?movements generally?

5

The Reproductive Justice The Reproductive Justice Movement was Created as a Movement was Created as a Response to Movements that Response to Movements that Failed to Meet the Needs of Failed to Meet the Needs of

Communities of ColorCommunities of Color

6

What distinguishes RJ from the traditional What distinguishes RJ from the traditional reproductive rights movement?reproductive rights movement?

The traditional reproductive rights frame The traditional reproductive rights frame focuses on liberty, autonomy and equality, focuses on liberty, autonomy and equality, while the Reproductive Justice (RJ) while the Reproductive Justice (RJ) movement places reproductive health and movement places reproductive health and rights within a social justice framework. rights within a social justice framework.

RJ acknowledges that each person’s ability RJ acknowledges that each person’s ability to effectuate their rights is uniquely to effectuate their rights is uniquely shaped by social injustices including: shaped by social injustices including: poverty, racism, sexism and gender poverty, racism, sexism and gender identity discrimination, heterosexism, identity discrimination, heterosexism, language discrimination and disablism. language discrimination and disablism.

7

What are the components of What are the components of Reproductive Justice?Reproductive Justice?

The right of individuals to: The right of individuals to: have the children they want have the children they want raise the children they have, and raise the children they have, and plan their families through safe, plan their families through safe,

legal access to abortion and legal access to abortion and contraceptioncontraception

http://www.sistersong.net/documents/ACRJ_Reproductive_Justice_Paper.pdfhttp://www.sistersong.net/documents/ACRJ_Reproductive_Justice_Paper.pdf

8

How does Reproductive Justice relate to How does Reproductive Justice relate to social justice movements generally?social justice movements generally?

Reproductive Justice requires that all Reproductive Justice requires that all people have the resources, as well as the people have the resources, as well as the economic, social, and political power to economic, social, and political power to make healthy decisions about their bodies, make healthy decisions about their bodies, sexuality, and reproduction.sexuality, and reproduction.

The goal is not governmental non-The goal is not governmental non-interference in reproductive decision-interference in reproductive decision-making. To the contrary, the government making. To the contrary, the government plays a key role in remedying social plays a key role in remedying social inequalities that contribute to reproductive inequalities that contribute to reproductive oppression.oppression.

9

RJ takes a historical perspective on RJ takes a historical perspective on reproductive health and rightsreproductive health and rights

What women are encouraged or discouraged What women are encouraged or discouraged to have children changes over time to have children changes over time depending on needs of those in power.depending on needs of those in power.

Societal perceptions of different women’s Societal perceptions of different women’s decision to not have children or to have decision to not have children or to have children. children.

Policies are therefore intended to encourage Policies are therefore intended to encourage or discourage reproduction among certain or discourage reproduction among certain women.women.

10

Race discrimination effects income, and Race discrimination effects income, and reproductive justice outcomesreproductive justice outcomes

Healthy sexualityHealthy sexuality Rates of sexual violenceRates of sexual violence

www.notherapedocumentary.orgwww.notherapedocumentary.org STD and HIV ratesSTD and HIV rates

Unintended pregnancy rates Unintended pregnancy rates

Abortion ratesAbortion rates

11

Reproductive justice outcomes cont.Reproductive justice outcomes cont.

Having the children we wantHaving the children we want Infant mortalityInfant mortality Maternal mortalityMaternal mortality Infertility ratesInfertility rates Access to infertility treatments; gamete Access to infertility treatments; gamete

donationdonation

Raising the children we haveRaising the children we have Drug war and over-incarcerationDrug war and over-incarceration Foster care placementFoster care placement Termination of parental rightsTermination of parental rights Child neglectChild neglect

12

Racial and sexual stereotypesRacial and sexual stereotypes Asian women are trafficked as forced Asian women are trafficked as forced

laborers, including sex workers, and some laborers, including sex workers, and some who enter brokered marriages with who enter brokered marriages with American men seeking “submissive” American men seeking “submissive” brides end up in abusive and exploitive brides end up in abusive and exploitive relationships. relationships.

Latina women are also stereotyped as Latina women are also stereotyped as over-sexed exotics or sexually repressed, over-sexed exotics or sexually repressed, due to their Catholic faith. Those waging due to their Catholic faith. Those waging the battle for immigration restrictions the battle for immigration restrictions continue to blame “hyper-fertile” Mexican continue to blame “hyper-fertile” Mexican women for state’s problems. women for state’s problems.

13

Racial and sexual stereotypes cont.Racial and sexual stereotypes cont. During slavery, White women, humiliated During slavery, White women, humiliated

by their husbands’ sexual use of slaves, by their husbands’ sexual use of slaves, cast women of African descent as “exotic cast women of African descent as “exotic temptresses” rather than victims. temptresses” rather than victims.

These sexualized racial stereotypes of These sexualized racial stereotypes of Black women as willing, available and Black women as willing, available and insatiable was “systematically perpetuated” insatiable was “systematically perpetuated” after slavery ended, and led to a failure to after slavery ended, and led to a failure to prosecute rapes against Black women.prosecute rapes against Black women.

14

Victims do not seek help because Criminal Victims do not seek help because Criminal

Justice System is hostile to People of ColorJustice System is hostile to People of Color A Woman of Color who is victimized may not A Woman of Color who is victimized may not

report for fear that she will not be believed or report for fear that she will not be believed or that police will not devote adequate resources to that police will not devote adequate resources to finding the actual perpetrator, thus making the finding the actual perpetrator, thus making the risks of filing a complaint outweigh the possible risks of filing a complaint outweigh the possible benefits. benefits.

A woman may be reluctant to identify her abuser A woman may be reluctant to identify her abuser for fear of being rejected by her community for for fear of being rejected by her community for attempting to seek legal redress from a system attempting to seek legal redress from a system that so often denies justice to People of Color. that so often denies justice to People of Color.

In states where being an undocumented worker is In states where being an undocumented worker is a crime, if you are undocumented, where do you a crime, if you are undocumented, where do you turn when you are victimized?turn when you are victimized?

15

Discrimination and access to health Discrimination and access to health insuranceinsurance

Asian-American and Pacific Islander women and Latinas are Asian-American and Pacific Islander women and Latinas are disproportionately represented in some low-income sectors that do disproportionately represented in some low-income sectors that do not provide insurance, including domestic services, home-health not provide insurance, including domestic services, home-health aids and childcare. aids and childcare.

Black women are just as likely as White women to have their own Black women are just as likely as White women to have their own employer-based insurance, but they are half as likely to have employer-based insurance, but they are half as likely to have insurance through a family member. insurance through a family member.

35% of American-Indian/Native Alaskan women, 36.6% of Hispanic 35% of American-Indian/Native Alaskan women, 36.6% of Hispanic women, 22.6% of Black women, and 18.5% of Asian-American and women, 22.6% of Black women, and 18.5% of Asian-American and Pacific Islander women are uninsured. This compares to a rate of Pacific Islander women are uninsured. This compares to a rate of 12.6% for Non-Hispanic Whites.12.6% for Non-Hispanic Whites.

16

Abortion AccessAbortion Access Hyde Amendment disproportionately impacts Hyde Amendment disproportionately impacts

Women of Color.Women of Color. http://reproductiverights.org/en/feature/whose-choice-how-http://reproductiverights.org/en/feature/whose-choice-how-

the-hyde-amendment-harms-poor-women the-hyde-amendment-harms-poor-women http://www.guttmacher.org/statecenter/spibs/http://www.guttmacher.org/statecenter/spibs/

spib_SFAM.pdfspib_SFAM.pdf http://www.statehealthfacts.org/comparereport.jsp?http://www.statehealthfacts.org/comparereport.jsp?

rep=54&cat=4 rep=54&cat=4 Women of Color disproportionately suffer conditions Women of Color disproportionately suffer conditions

that can make pregnancy more dangerous, that can make pregnancy more dangerous, including diabetes, heart disease, asthma, obesity including diabetes, heart disease, asthma, obesity and hypertension.and hypertension.

Barriers to access are exacerbated for all low-Barriers to access are exacerbated for all low-income women, including cost, transportation, and income women, including cost, transportation, and time off of work.time off of work.

17

The right to have childrenThe right to have children Contrary to claims made by those who Contrary to claims made by those who

oppose abortion on the grounds that it is oppose abortion on the grounds that it is “Black Genocide,” the RJ movement “Black Genocide,” the RJ movement explicitly opposes attempts to limit births explicitly opposes attempts to limit births by Women of Color or otherwise control by Women of Color or otherwise control their childbearing and seeks to empower their childbearing and seeks to empower women in their efforts to parent.women in their efforts to parent.

18

RJ opposes policies intended to limit RJ opposes policies intended to limit childbearing by Low-Income Womenchildbearing by Low-Income Women

The “Mississippi appendectomy.”The “Mississippi appendectomy.”

Testing of contraceptives in Puerto Testing of contraceptives in Puerto Rico thought to “kill two birds with Rico thought to “kill two birds with one stone.”one stone.”

Encouraging contraceptive use as a Encouraging contraceptive use as a solution to overpopulation.solution to overpopulation.

19

Coercive PoliciesCoercive Policies Welfare policies based on belief that poor Welfare policies based on belief that poor

women are only motivated to have women are only motivated to have children to get more money.children to get more money. Current state family caps Current state family caps

http://www.ncsl.org/default.aspx?tabid=16306http://www.ncsl.org/default.aspx?tabid=16306 CLASP reportCLASP report

http://www.clasp.org/admin/site/publications/http://www.clasp.org/admin/site/publications/files/0166.pdf files/0166.pdf

Policies conditioning benefits or paying Policies conditioning benefits or paying bonuses for using long-acting bonuses for using long-acting contraceptives that have serious side contraceptives that have serious side effects and need a doctor’s assistance to effects and need a doctor’s assistance to remove.remove.

20

The right to raise childrenThe right to raise children Native American children were removed from Native American children were removed from

their parents and placed in “boarding schools” their parents and placed in “boarding schools” intended to “civilize” children.intended to “civilize” children.

Adoption and Safe Families Act, and the Adoption and Safe Families Act, and the impact of the drug war on parental rightsimpact of the drug war on parental rights

Child neglect laws that punish parents for being Child neglect laws that punish parents for being poor, rather than providing meaningful support to poor, rather than providing meaningful support to families living in poverty. families living in poverty.

Over-incarceration, with women placed hundreds Over-incarceration, with women placed hundreds of miles (thousands in the Federal system) from of miles (thousands in the Federal system) from their children. their children.

21

How You Can Combat Racial Discrimination How You Can Combat Racial Discrimination and Support Reproductive Justiceand Support Reproductive Justice

Recognize that the unique barriers to Reproductive Justice faced by Women of Color are a result of intersecting forms of discrimination based on race and gender.

Advocate for public benefit polices that provide fair and meaningful support to all women and families.

Fight against racial and sex discrimination and stereotyping, which contribute to sexual oppression and punitive policies against Women of Color, especially those who are mothers.

Speak out against the myth of “Black genocide” and affirm the right of all women to make their own reproductive decisions based on their own lives.

Support the strong enforcement of all civil rights laws and oppose efforts to dismantle affirmative action.

22

ResourcesResources

Undivided Rights: Women of Color Undivided Rights: Women of Color Organize for Reproductive Justice, Organize for Reproductive Justice, Jael Silliman, Marlene Gerber Fried, Jael Silliman, Marlene Gerber Fried, Loretta Ross and Elena Gutierrez Loretta Ross and Elena Gutierrez (2004).(2004).

Killing the Black Body: Race, Killing the Black Body: Race, Reproduction, and the Meaning of Reproduction, and the Meaning of Liberty Dorothy Roberts (1997).Liberty Dorothy Roberts (1997).

23

Georgia Abortion Georgia Abortion CoalitionCoalitionOverviewOverview

Heidi WilliamsonHeidi Williamson

National Advocacy CoordinatorNational Advocacy Coordinator

July 8, 2010July 8, 2010

Our Challenge in GeorgiaOur Challenge in Georgia

HB 1155HB 1155 Prohibited the solicitation of abortionProhibited the solicitation of abortionEstablished a new criminal code for Established a new criminal code for

“criminal abortion”“criminal abortion”Penalizes doctors under racketeering laws Penalizes doctors under racketeering laws

for performing a criminal abortion or for performing a criminal abortion or coercing abortioncoercing abortion

SB 529SB 529Re-defines term of coercion to broadly Re-defines term of coercion to broadly

include both solicitation & negligent include both solicitation & negligent intent to do harm.intent to do harm.

Established a new criminal code for Established a new criminal code for “criminal abortion”“criminal abortion”

Penalizes doctors under racketeering laws Penalizes doctors under racketeering laws for performing a criminal abortion or for performing a criminal abortion or coercing abortioncoercing abortion

Created exceptions for violating “doctor-Created exceptions for violating “doctor-patient privileges”.patient privileges”.

The Legislative EffortThe Legislative Effort

Rep. Toney Collins (D) was one of two African American men to sign on to HB 1155. After voters lobbied his fiancé, he rescinded support.

Who’s Behind This Campaign?Who’s Behind This Campaign?A New Coalition of OpponentsA New Coalition of Opponents

Georgia Right to Life – Catherine Georgia Right to Life – Catherine Davis (Black Republican)Davis (Black Republican)

Radiance Foundation – Ryan Radiance Foundation – Ryan BombergerBomberger

Anti-Obama Conservatives – Secret Anti-Obama Conservatives – Secret meeting on St. Simon’s Island in meeting on St. Simon’s Island in 2009 after election after Trent 2009 after election after Trent Franks (R-Az) introduces federal Franks (R-Az) introduces federal Prenatal Non-Discrimination Act in Prenatal Non-Discrimination Act in 2008 as state model2008 as state model

Funding Our OpponentsFunding Our Opponents

Specific Right-Wing FoundationsSpecific Right-Wing Foundations Bradley Foundation Bradley Foundation

Castle Rock Foundation (Coors Family Members) Castle Rock Foundation (Coors Family Members) Olin Olin Pioneer Fund Pioneer Fund Pioneer: secondary collection of articles and research Pioneer: secondary collection of articles and research (ISAR/Mehler) Scaife-related Foundations (Richard Mellon (ISAR/Mehler) Scaife-related Foundations (Richard Mellon Scaife) Scaife) Sarah Scaife Foundation Sarah Scaife Foundation Scaife Family Foundation Scaife Family Foundation Allegheny Foundation Allegheny Foundation Carthage Foundation Carthage Foundation Scaife: secondary collection of articles and research (CNN) Scaife: secondary collection of articles and research (CNN)

Smith Richardson Foundation Smith Richardson Foundation U.S. Inc. U.S. Inc.

(Source: Political Research Associates) (Source: Political Research Associates)

Effective Allies and Strategic Effective Allies and Strategic Funding for our OpponentsFunding for our Opponents

Goals of the OppositionGoals of the Opposition

Drive racial wedge in Pro-Choice Drive racial wedge in Pro-Choice MovementMovement

Drive gender wedge among African Drive gender wedge among African American votersAmerican voters

Split progressive voters of all racesSplit progressive voters of all races Legislation to ban abortionsLegislation to ban abortions State-based challenges to State-based challenges to Roe v. Roe v.

WadeWade

Tactics of the OppositionTactics of the Opposition Misleading statisticsMisleading statistics

Number of abortions in GeorgiaNumber of abortions in Georgia Reasons for abortions in GeorgiaReasons for abortions in Georgia Placement of clinics in Black neighborhoodsPlacement of clinics in Black neighborhoods

Misleading testimoniesMisleading testimonies White girl “forced” to abort Black babyWhite girl “forced” to abort Black baby Not new “crimes” or attacks on doctorsNot new “crimes” or attacks on doctors

Misleading historical evidenceMisleading historical evidence Eugenics/GenocideEugenics/Genocide History of Planned Parenthood and Margaret SangerHistory of Planned Parenthood and Margaret Sanger

Misleading representativesMisleading representatives Faked or misleading endorsements (Georgia NAACP)Faked or misleading endorsements (Georgia NAACP) African American spokespersonsAfrican American spokespersons Religious AppealsReligious Appeals

How We Won in Georgia!How We Won in Georgia!

Built broad coalition of groupsBuilt broad coalition of groups Leadership of women of colorLeadership of women of color Research to produce accurate Research to produce accurate

facts and evidencefacts and evidence Planned media strategyPlanned media strategy Drove wedge into opposition Drove wedge into opposition

basebase Careful legislative strategyCareful legislative strategy Broad local and national supportBroad local and national support

Winning TacticsWinning Tactics

Grassroots MobilizationGrassroots Mobilization Letters and emails to legislatureLetters and emails to legislature Community forumsCommunity forums Educating base of supportersEducating base of supporters Street-level campaign like changing Street-level campaign like changing

billboardsbillboards

Dueling BillboardsDueling Billboards

Winning with MediaWinning with Media

Message Discipline – Trust Black Women Message Discipline – Trust Black Women & Self-Determination Message Universal& Self-Determination Message Universal

Traditional mainstream media interviewsTraditional mainstream media interviews Comments/blogs on media websites Comments/blogs on media websites

after articles after articles Internet/Web 2.0 strategies like blogs, Internet/Web 2.0 strategies like blogs,

email alertsemail alerts YouTube film YouTube film Press Conference “Trust Black Women”Press Conference “Trust Black Women” Develop database of reporters and Develop database of reporters and

bloggersbloggers

Winning with ResearchWinning with Research

Data and ResearchData and Research Challenge their false dataChallenge their false data

Number of clinics in Black neighborhoodsNumber of clinics in Black neighborhoods Sex selective abortions – no data for GeorgiaSex selective abortions – no data for Georgia

Present our own factsPresent our own facts Reasons why Black women have abortionsReasons why Black women have abortions Actual placement of clinics in state – 15 with 4 in Actual placement of clinics in state – 15 with 4 in

Black communitiesBlack communities Margaret Sanger and African American AlliesMargaret Sanger and African American Allies

Winning on PolicyWinning on Policy

Policy CollaborationPolicy Collaboration Educate Allies & Friends locally and Educate Allies & Friends locally and

nationallynationally Target Progressive Legislators, especially Target Progressive Legislators, especially

Black WomenBlack Women Work with Progressive People of FaithWork with Progressive People of Faith Strategic use of experts like doctors, Strategic use of experts like doctors,

lawyers, lobbyistslawyers, lobbyists Divide their base by working with Divide their base by working with

moderatesmoderates

Coalition PartnersCoalition Partners LOCAL ORGANIZATIONSLOCAL ORGANIZATIONS

SisterSong Reproductive Justice CollectiveSisterSong Reproductive Justice Collective SPARK Reproductive Justice Now!SPARK Reproductive Justice Now! Feminist Women’s Health CenterFeminist Women’s Health Center Planned Parenthood of Southeast RegionPlanned Parenthood of Southeast Region Raksha (Asian American Domestic Violence)Raksha (Asian American Domestic Violence) SisterLove (Women’s HIV/AIDS)SisterLove (Women’s HIV/AIDS)

NATIONAL ORGANIZATIONSNATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS Black Women for Reproductive JusticeBlack Women for Reproductive Justice Black Women’s Health ImperativeBlack Women’s Health Imperative Generations AheadGenerations Ahead Center for Reproductive RightsCenter for Reproductive Rights National Women’s Law CenterNational Women’s Law Center NARAL Pro-Choice AmericaNARAL Pro-Choice America Planned Parenthood Federation of AmericaPlanned Parenthood Federation of America Reproductive Health Technologies ProjectReproductive Health Technologies Project

State Legislative TrendsState Legislative Trends NebraskaNebraska: : banned most abortions after 20 weeks on banned most abortions after 20 weeks on

the theory that that’s when the fetus can feel pain.the theory that that’s when the fetus can feel pain. MississippiMississippi: : passed bill forbids public financing of passed bill forbids public financing of

abortion, even in cases of severe birth defects.abortion, even in cases of severe birth defects. OklahomaOklahoma: : the legislature overrode a gubernatorial the legislature overrode a gubernatorial

veto to pass two abortion laws. One requires women, even veto to pass two abortion laws. One requires women, even those seeking to end a pregnancy resulting from rape or those seeking to end a pregnancy resulting from rape or incest, to have an ultrasound and have the fetus described incest, to have an ultrasound and have the fetus described to them. The other prevents mothers from suing doctors to them. The other prevents mothers from suing doctors who withhold information about fetal birth defects. who withhold information about fetal birth defects.

FloridaFlorida: : legislature passed bill requiring all women legislature passed bill requiring all women seeking an abortion to undergo an ultrasound. Even if the seeking an abortion to undergo an ultrasound. Even if the women don’t want to see the image, the doctor must still women don’t want to see the image, the doctor must still describe it to them. describe it to them.

Moving Forward TogetherMoving Forward Together

Focus Group and Polling Research Message Development for African

American community Southern Regional Reproductive

Justice Coalition Training Materials & Toolkits Film on Billboards & Legislation Regional Organizing Nodes

Trust Black Women (TBW) is a partnership of women from many different organizations, regions and religious backgrounds developed in 2010. We are young and older women working together. We are both pro-choice and pro-life,

and are not divided over the misleading debate on abortion.

Our Values:Trust Black Women seeks to increase respect, maintain dignity, and support Black women and girls with implementing reproductive health decisions that are personal, appropriate, accessible, and affordable. All women should be able to maintain their integrity when accessing reproductive health services. Black women should have self-determination to exercise basic human rights when implementing their decisions, and not be subjugated to the political winds, media campaigns and/or environment prevalent in government or society that hinders a woman's ability to control her body and destiny. Trust Black Women will challenge those who seek to undermine our autonomy, respect, integrity, and dignity as Black women.

Strategic Goals of the Strategic Goals of the Trust Black Women PartnershipTrust Black Women Partnership

1.1. Community-based MobilizationsCommunity-based Mobilizations2.2. Communications Campaign & Communications Campaign &

MaterialsMaterials3.3. Law and PolicyLaw and Policy4.4. Leadership Development, Leadership Development,

Capacity-Building, and Capacity-Building, and CoordinationCoordination

5.5. Research Research

Collective ChallengesCollective Challenges

Funder Indifference or Time LagsFunder Indifference or Time Lags Limited capacity/infrastructure Limited capacity/infrastructure

in African American communityin African American community Competition among RJ groups for Competition among RJ groups for

funding and visibilityfunding and visibility Expense of research on Expense of research on

messagingmessaging Stigmatization of abortionStigmatization of abortion