[(Killing the Black Body: Race, Reproduction, and the Meaning of Liberty)] [Author: Dorothy E Roberts] published on (March, 2000)

The story I tell about reproductive rights differs dramatically from the standard one. In contrast to the account of American women's increasing control over their reproductive decisions, centered on the right to an abortion, this book describes a long experience of dehumanizing attempts to control Black women's reproductive lives. The systematic, institutionalized denial of reproductive freedom has uniquely marked Black women's history in America. Considering this history- from slave masters' economic stake in bonded women's fertility to racist strains of early birth control policy to sterilization abuse of Black women during the 1960's and 1970's to the current campaign to inject Norplant and Depo -Provera in the arms of Black teenagers and welfare mothers-paints a powerful picture of the link between race and reproductive freedom in America. The feminist focus on gender and identification of male domination as the source of reproductive repression often overlooks the importance of racism in shaping our understanding of reproductive liberty and the degree of choice that women really have, the policies I discuss not only keep Black women from having children but persuade people that racial inequality is perpetuated by Black people themselves. These policies affect not only Black Americans but also the very meaning of reproductive freedom. My objective is to place these issues in their broader political context by exploring how the denial of Black reproductive autonomy serves the interests of white supremacy. The full story of Black women's resistance and its impact on the national movement for reproductive freedom is long overdue.