a brief list of information and resources related to racism and the Black maternal health crisis in the US.
a brief list of information and resources related to racism and the Black maternal health crisis in the US.
These resources are in no way exhaustive. We hope this list serves as a starting point for ourselves and our community in learning more about how systemic racism is driving the Black maternal health crisis in the United States.
This year, a group of leaders, organizations, and allies in the birth and reproductive justice movements came together in a national call for accountability, birth justice and legal guarantees for safe, respectful, anti-racist care. VISIT RESOURCE→
Erica Chidi and Erica P. Cahill: A guide for Black mothers and pregnant people, as well as care providers, on how to address racism during pregnancy, childbirth, and the postpartum period.
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Erica Chidi and Erica P. Cahill: Care preferences to share your care provider to help guide conversations to help you feel supported, centered, and safe during pregnancy and postpartum.
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National Association to Advance Black Birth: A resource for Black people engaging in maternity care that outlines their rights to respectful, equitable, and high-quality care.
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Anna North: An article on how the overlapping pandemics of structural racism and COVID-19 are impacting Black maternal health.
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A. Rochaun Meadows-Fernandez: On the embodied impact of racial and police violence on Black mothers, especially during COVID-19.
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Dr. Joia Crear-Perry and Alexis McGill-Johnson: On the importance of Black Maternal Health Week during 2020. VISIT RESOURCE→
Danielle Jackson: How Black mothers still face poor maternal health outcomes, despite increased press attention in recent years. VISIT RESOURCE→
Dr. Joia Crear-Perry: Untangling the root causes of the Black maternal health crisis. VISIT RESOURCE→
Dr. Monica McLemore: An overview of the Black maternal health crisis in the U.S. VISIT RESOURCE→
Linda Villarosa: The impact of racial disparities on maternal and infant health in the U.S.
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Miriam Zoila Pérez: A TED Talk on how racism is at the root of why pregnant women of color have worse outcomes than their white counterparts. VISIT RESOURCE→
Wanda Irving: A TED Talk on the importance of maternal health care reform in the movement towards health equity and accountability. VISIT RESOURCE→
A docuseries podcast collecting stories about giving birth while Black in the U.S. VISIT RESOURCE→
Black Mamas Matter Alliance: Black Mamas Matter Alliance, a national coalition led by Black women, outlines recommendations for addressing racial inequities in the U.S. VISIT RESOURCE→
National Partnership for Women and Families: A report by National Partnership for Women and Families on the inequities in Black maternal health and policy approaches to addressing them. VISIT RESOURCE→
Julia Chinyere Oparah, Helen Arega, Dantia Hudson, Linda Jones, Talita Oseguera: A book centering the birth experiences of Black women with recommendations and suggested best practices based on Black women’s documented experiences. VISIT RESOURCE→
Julia Chinyere Oparah and Alicia D. Bonaparte: A collection of essays and stories from maternal health experts, activists, and mothers with different perspectives relating to fixing a broken maternity care system for Black women. VISIT RESOURCE→
Dorothy Roberts: A comprehensive account of the history of the impact of systemic racism on Black women’s health. VISIT RESOURCE→
Deirdre Cooper Owens: A historical account of the racism built into the origins of gynecology. VISIT RESOURCE→
Khiara Bridges: An ethnographic account of how race is socially constructed for people giving birth in a public hospital. VISIT RESOURCE→
Harriet A. Washington: A comprehensive account of the history of medical experimentation on Black Americans from colonial era to present day. VISIT RESOURCE→
Rachel Ricketts: Readings on anti-racism and racial justice, as well as helpful workshops. VISIT RESOURCE→
Ijeoma Oluo: A book to spark honest conversations about race and racism in the United States. VISIT RESOURCE→
Ibram X. Kendi: A list of books on racism in the United States and anti-racism. VISIT RESOURCE→
Racial Equity Institute: A bibliography of books and resources about systemic racism in the United States and racial equity. VISIT RESOURCE→
Robin J. DiAngelo: An article on white racial dominance from the author of White Fragility: Why It’s So Hard for White People to Talk About Racism. VISIT RESOURCE→
Nicola Carpenter: A resource list from Fractured Atlas on how to begin and deepen anti-racism work among white people. VISIT RESOURCE→
Anna Stamborski, Nikki Zimmermann, and Bailie Gregory: A list of essential resources to support white people to become effective allies and accomplices in anti-racist work. VISIT RESOURCE→