Killing the Black Body is a history book by author Dorothy Roberts.
This is an unrestricted response to the retreat of liberals and conservatives from an assertive, activist and socially transformative civil rights agenda of recent years. Using a Black feminist lens and the issue of the impact of recent legislation, social policy, and welfare “reform” on the control of Black women – especially Black women poor black – for the autonomy of their bodies as well as the freedom to give birth and raise children with respect and dignity in a society where the white mainstream is determined to make their lives demonic, even criminalization.
It offers listeners a compelling historical and legal argument for an entirely new and socially transformative definition of “freedom” and “equality” for American polity from a feminist perspective. of the Blacks.
While some of this feels a bit outdated, overall this book is excellent and very important. Honestly, I know absolutely nothing about reproductive rights and its racial segregation and history other than abortion. So glad a group of colleagues decided to read it together as a book club! Must read if you want to work against racism and/or be a midwife.
