As we head into election season with pro-abortion measures on the ballot across the country, there is no better time to refocus our activism around the principles of reproductive justice. While many of us claim to be guided by reproductive justice in this movement, what does that really mean, and how do we practice it? For those who may be unfamiliar, reproductive justice is a term that was coined by a group of twelve Black women in 1994 who recognized that the mainstream reproductive rights movement was overlooking the needs of all women, particularly Black women [1]. SisterSong, the largest multi-ethnic reproductive justice group in the country, defines reproductive justice as “the human right to maintain personal bodily autonomy, have children, not have children, and parent the children we have in safe and sustainable communities” [2]. Reproductive justice serves as a framework uniquely suited to address the intersecting oppressions faced by many individuals. Its conception is deeply rooted in the liberation and centering of Black women and our experiences.

At Reproaction, we are dedicated to upholding the principles of reproductive justice, as are many of our partners in this work, but we cannot stop at commitment. We must constantly reassess the work we are doing and ensure the values of reproductive justice are baked in to everything we do. As we observe Black History Month, we urge you to take stock of your efforts and deeply reflect on how you are embracing the vital work of reproductive justice.

In my own work, I have become increasingly aware of the disproportionate negative health outcomes that Black birthing people face, and I prioritize addressing this reality in all my efforts. It’s troubling to note that Black women are overrepresented among those who face criminalization due to their pregnancy outcomes. Statistics reveal that from January 2006 to June 2022, Black people comprised 18.2% of pregnancy-related arrests, despite constituting only 13% of the U.S. population [3]. This disparity is exacerbated by the proliferation of fetal personhood legislation in many states, which often prioritize the rights of fertilized eggs, embryos, and fetuses over the rights of the individuals carrying them [3]. These policies underscore the alarming intentions behind the anti-abortion movement and their attack on bodily autonomy.

Not only are Black women facing increased criminalization for their pregnancy outcomes, but they are also experiencing higher mortality rates due to pregnancy-related causes. While approximately 50,000 women in the United States encounter pregnancy complications annually, Black women are at least three times more likely to die from pregnancy-related issues compared to their White counterparts — a deeply concerning statistic that cannot be dismissed as coincidence [4]. Recent research highlights how social factors such as exposure to racial trauma, discrimination, and systemic marginalization significantly contribute to pregnancy complications among Black women [4]. Understanding the alarming rise in the criminalization of pregnancy requires acknowledging the profound impacts of systematic oppression on the Black body.

It is long past time that we stop viewing reproductive justice as just a framework or set of ideas. Instead, we must ensure that we are actively engaging and grappling with each of its principles and implementing them in our work. Not only because it is important, but because it is necessary, and often a matter of life or death. Reproductive justice is about so much more than our bodies, it is about every part of our existence: environmental justice, housing justice, LGBTQ liberation, disability rights, and immigrants’ rights, etc. In essence, it is about our ability to live completely free from oppression, a world which I cannot help but strive for.

Sources:

1. https://www.plannedparenthood.org/planned-parenthood-orange-san-bernardino/about-us/blog/black-history-month-leaders-in-reproductive-justice 
2. https://www.sistersong.net/reproductive-justice 
3. https://www.pregnancyjusticeus.org/rise-of-pregnancy-criminalization-report/
4. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9914526/