A Publication of the Committee on Women, , and the Environment

Issue Number 8 Winter/Spring 2001 Barriers Between & the Reproductive • Movement Inside this issue: • BY TONI M. BOND

Black women have been in constant battle with the government, their communities, and even

The New : the movement, to control their bodies. Yet, Black women continue to rise again and The Case Against again to combat the social and economic forces that try to them of their reproductive . Genetically Modified Several Black female scholars and activists, including , Paula Giddings, , Loretta Ross, Dorothy Roberts and Dr. Gail Elizabeth Wyatt, have authored articles and books that depict Black 6 women’s painful history of having their reproduction measured and devalued by social and economic poli- cies. In their works, these authors have also described Black women’s activism in the reproductive rights movement from the movement’s early beginnings to the present time. We have been both quiet and vocal The Greening of Hate dissenters. We have marched, testified, circulated and signed onto ads and petitions, mobilized to orga- Continues nize around the issues, etc. Black women have been victims, survivors and change agents in the 15 reproductive rights movement. When I was asked to write a piece on my perspective, as a Black , on the activism of Black

CRACK Gains women around , I agreed right away. But as I put pen to paper, the direction, its very content, changed from a piece about Black women and abortion to a piece that looked at the barriers which pre- Momentum, But So vented many Black women, and other women of color, from participating at an even greater level in the Does the Resistance mainstream reproductive rights movement. This was propelled by my belief that the reproductive rights 28 movement in its current state does not even begin to adequately address the unique concerns of not just Black women, but women of color, collectively. This separation of abortion as an issue to be worked on in Another Chapter isolation from the rest of the reproductive agenda is a primary reason why many women of color Begins: The Ongoing choose not to affiliate themselves with the mainstream reproductive rights movement. As one of the few Saga of Quinacrine Black women working in reproductive rights, this separation of the issues impacts my own personal life Sterilization in India as I constantly work to balance my belief in reproductive autonomy, , community and what it means to be a Black woman in a movement where White women continue to be at the forefront. 46 For the past twelve years, my life work has become that of furthering the rights of women—from

continued on page 3 continued from page 1 member of the National Network of Abortion make them want to be a part of this move- Funds (NNAF), a network of similar abortion ment. There is a certain amount of irony volunteering in women’s civic organizations funds around the country helping low- behind the fact that this brilliant group of and working with the sexual assault commu- income women and access safe, female activists actually sits in meetings and nity to the reproductive rights movement. I affordable . Many of the funds complains that they have tried everything to was raised in a family where strong Black within NNAF provide services to client popu- build relationships with women of color but women ruled and did not apologize for it. I lations that are predominantly women of still, to no avail; their invitations are ignored. distinctly remember three things that were color, as well. At the time, my appointment at Part of the problem is that Black drilled into my head and that of my female CAF also made me the only Black Executive women have been and still are treated as cousins: 1) a woman, a black woman, had to Director of a NNAF member fund. “invited guests” in the reproductive rights be many things to many people, mother, This background is relevant because it movement. We are the invitees on the guest daughter, wife, church member, worker, etc.; highlights the inability of the reproductive list to their meeting or event, despite the fact 2) good or bad, accept responsibility for your rights movement to incorporate the unique that issues of access to abortion services, actions; making no choice at all is a decision concerns of Black women into the agenda forced and coercive sterilization, reproduc- to accept whatever is handed to you; and 3) and the need for an influx of Black women, tive tract infections (RTI’s) and infant and no one makes decisions about your body but and women of color, in general, in visible maternal mortality and morbidity impact you; control your body — control your decision-making positions within the move- women of color, especially Black women, future. These personal and political convic- ment. The mainstream reproductive rights most severely. When Black women do come tions led me to my current place of movement continues to grapple with the to the meeting, it is always a constant chal- employment, the Chicago Abortion Fund of women of color. I hear, ad nau- lenge to keep other (CAF), where I have worked tirelessly for the seam, of the difficulties the reproductive concerns on the table with the issue of abor- past six years. rights movement has in reaching out to tion. The majority of Black women support When I assumed the position as women of color, particularly Black women. the right to choose but have difficulty with Executive Director of CAF in 1994, the organi- “We don’t know how to approach women of abortion always front and center. Immediate zation was nine years old. Since 1985, CAF color. We sent them invites to the meeting, and extended family is highly valued in the has provided thousands of low-income rally, forum, etc., but no one came.” White Black community. Oftentimes, family is the women in Illinois and surrounding states feminists say they want to be inclusive of only place one can turn. Low wages, unem- with information, referrals and direct finan- diverse constituencies. Many of the national ployment, childcare, etc., make abortion for cial assistance to obtain safe, affordable women’s organizations have programs or ini- many women, particularly women of color, abortions. The majority of CAF’s clients are tiatives focused on working with women of the decision they are forced to make, not Black women. I was the first woman of color color and/or young women. Yet, these same necessarily the choice they always want to to be CAF’s Executive Director. Two years groups, many of whom were on the front make. A colleague and good friend of mine prior to my arrival, CAF appointed a woman lines in the ERA movement, fought to legal- recently said, of color for the first time as its Board Chair. ize abortion, are working to establish “A fetus is when a woman This was a major milestone for CAF—two pay equity and are breaking the glass ceiling, wants to carry the to term. If the women of color, two Black women at the cannot figure out how to successfully woman has decided that this is a wanted helm of the organization. My appointment to engage and work with women of color in this pregnancy and that she has the social and leadership at CAF was not the only first. I was movement. They simply cannot figure out economic means to be a parent, prepara- also the only Black woman heading a repro- how to communicate with women of color tions are made to bring this life into the ductive rights organization in Illinois. CAF is a and low-income women in a way that will world. The fetus is dehumanized if the deci-

POLITICAL ENVIRONMENTS 3 sion is made to terminate. If she decides to women who did use contraceptives used recipients of patronizing attitudes and behav- abort it, it’s just tissue. But the decision to Depo Provera; 3) over half of the respon- iors. While the existence of women of color is carry to term or abort is not that cut and dry dents douche, with many douching more not denied, we are still not a part of the col- for all women. The fetus is not just tissue for than 1-2 times per month; and 4) the majori- lective group of women at the helm of the some women. We say it’s a personal and dif- ty of respondents support a woman’s right to reproductive rights movement. ficult decision. Yet, there is very little support choose whether to carry a pregnancy to But the shortcomings are not just with for the difficulty. There is no room for grieving term. This information is cause for grave con- nor should the admonitions be directed only or acknowledging that some women experi- cern, particularly with respect to toward the mainstream reproductive rights ence abortion as a personal loss—a loss of contraceptive use and douching. Black movement. Women of color grapple with more than just tissue. There is very little women continue to be at the greatest risk for their own unique set of issues in coming room within the reproductive rights move- HIV infection, reproductive tract inflections together to organize, in general and around ment for the different ways women come to and cervical . There is a definitive reproductive health, specifically. The number acceptance with the decision of abortion.” association between sexually transmitted of organizations founded specifically to Initiatives to broaden the agenda to diseases and the incidence of cervical can- address the unique health concerns of encompass the full range of reproductive cer. Additionally, continuous douching can women of color are limited. Many have fold- health still focus a great deal of the attention destroy the natural secretions that serve to ed or struggle to maintain their existence on abortion. This difficulty with dedicating protect the vaginal area. due to limited funding, the need for skills- specific attention to other issues points to an Not enough focus has been placed on building in the areas of management inherent lack of understanding and sensitivi- the high rate of infant mortality. Women of effectiveness and organizational develop- ty to the reproductive health issues color have considerably higher infant mortal- ment, and challenges with capacity building, confronting Black women. Too few main- ity rates (infant deaths per 1,000 births) than etc. Throw into that mix the onerous posi- stream groups are up in arms about White women. The U.S. reports an overall tions in which many women of color groups dangerous contraceptives like Norplant, infant mortality rate of 7.2%. The infant mor- are placed: having to justify and rationalize Depo Provera, and now Quinacrine, and how tality rate per 1,000 births is 6% for White the tremendous need for greater support, the numerous side effects have adversely women and 14.3% for Black women. financial and otherwise, of their organiza- impacted the health of many women of color. In recent years, many well-intentioned tions. The hard truth and brutal reality are Scientific focus remains on the development efforts have been made to broaden the agen- that white feminist organizations receive of long-acting, provider-controlled contracep- da, but these efforts never seem to pan out. far more financial support than groups tives (i.e., pregnancy reduction) rather than The voices of women of color in the main- representing women of color. barrier methods that reduce the transmission stream pro-choice movement are drowned Both white feminist and women of color of reproductive tract infections like HIV, gon- out by other seemingly more important groups provide services to the same popula- orrhea and chlamydia, in spite of the fact that aspects of the fight for reproductive rights, tions—those women with the least access to women of color, especially Black women, leaving them with the arduous challenge of —women of color. Yet, women of have high rates of contraction of RTI’s. trying to be activists operating on the fringes color organizations are expected to develop In the first round of its Black Women’s of the movement. Women of color still find and implement amazing programs, do mas- Health Survey, African American Women themselves the token invited to the table to sive grassroots organizing, incorporate the Evolving (AAWE) found that of the 271 fulfill weak attempts at diversity rather than perspectives of all women of color into one women surveyed: 1) approximately 70% of as equal stakeholders helping to set the homogenous and unified voice, do legisla- the respondents did not use contraceptives agenda, forced to engage in far too many tive work, public education, and regularly; 2) a significant percentage of the power struggles. Many times, they are the recruitment and leadership development—

4 POLITICAL ENVIRONMENTS The charge of the reproductive rights community must be to stop merely giving lip-service to the notion of organizing around a broader spectrum of reproductive health.

all on budgets of only a couple of hundred Black women face tremendous opposi- The charge of Black women must be to thousand dollars. In short, they are expected tion in their efforts to control their continue and expand the discussions among to effect enormous social change with inad- reproduction, especially from the Black ourselves of our reproductive health. We equate budgets. church, conservative community-based must come to understand and work through This is not to say that even if women of organizations and the Black community in the internalized that prevents us color organizations were well-funded and general. The hesitancy within the Black com- from connecting with each other on a basic supported, all problems would cease. There munity to confront and discuss issues such level and around this most critical issue. are years of social and economic oppression as sexual and , sexuality Securing the reproductive autonomy of that women of color, particularly Black education and sexual orientation, has women of color is the first step in securing women, must work to surpass and over- served to undermine Black women’s reproductive autonomy for all women. Such come. We are more similar than different. attempts to claim their reproductive autono- changes would mean a radical shift in the Societal and political forces have carried out my. Much of this hesitancy is directly way the reproductive health of Black the systematic oppression of all women of associated with a lack of understanding of women, as well as that of all women of color, color, not just some. Yet, many of us have so reproductive health in its broadest context, is viewed and supported. internalized this oppression that it has trans- beyond abortion. formed into a self-hatred and seeps into and The charge of the reproductive rights Toni M. Bond is the Executive Director of the impedes our ability to work together collec- community must be to stop merely giving lip- Chicago Abortion Fund, an organization that provides information, referrals and direct tively, resulting in organizational upheaval service to the notion of organizing around a financial assistance for safe abortions to low- and our further disenfranchisement. This broader spectrum of reproductive health. income women in Illinois. Ms. Bond is also internal oppression is “acted out” in every That means remaining steadfast and com- the Co-Founder of African American Women form imaginable—classism, ageism, homo- mitted to devoting time and energy to issues Evolving (AAWE). AAWE’s mission is to (1) phobia, , etc. We inflict additional beyond abortion. It means being mindful increase the activism and leadership of pain and emotional scars upon each other. when the direction starts to change, and lis- African American women around reproduc- In essence, many of us believe the lies we tening and hearing women of color when it’s tive health and (2) examine and draw the connections between other social justice and have been told. So emotionally bruised are pointed out. It also means confronting the basic issues (i.e., violence women of color from racist oppression and racist assumption of “ownership” of this against women, substance abuse, HIV/AIDS, our internalization of that oppression that movement. The reproductive health of economic development and sustainability, we have trouble letting our guards down to women of color is in serious jeopardy. etc.) that directly and indirectly impact African share personal stories about our experi- The reproductive health movement American women’s ability to exercise com- ences around health or any other issue. “belongs” to all women. plete autonomy over their lives and bodies.

POLITICAL ENVIRONMENTS 5