10 Ways Birthworkers Can Honor Black History Month
It’s Black History Month! 2020 was certainly the year of “Why weren’t we taught this in school?!?” (Helloooo! Queen Charlotte in Bridgerton!) But let’s make sure 2021 is different in that regard. And for birthworkers, we have such a great opportunity to celebrate all that black nurses, midwives and physicians have done for our profession. Truly, it would be unrecognizable without the gifts and knowledge they have imparted. Let me be clear: I’m not an expert on Black history and I don’t believe I have anything new to add that isn’t already said first and better by someone else. But I can certainly be Black History Month’s hype-girl. Hype-girl is something I’m great at.
And although I’m about supporting #blackhistory365 (you need more than 28 days to celebrate so much greatness), let’s take advantage of the AMAZING curation of resources available this month. In a recent post Rachel Cargle wrote that “if you are existing within and benefitting from white privilege, your approach to Black history month should be three-fold: 1. recognize and respect the dynamic history of the African-American community; 2. unlearn the worlds whitewashed understanding of black existence; 3. make critical connections necessary to take anti-racist action.” Below you’ll find some of what I’m going to watch, who I’m following, and what I’m reading to take Ms. Cargle’s advice.
What to watch:
1. The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks (2017) Netflix
The contributions of black women to the advancement of medical knowledge are numerous, often without consent. This is both a book and a movie, but the movie HAS OPRAH in it.
2. Do No Harm by Anyika McMillan-Herod & Soul Rep Theatre
Speaking of lack of consent: the Mothers of Modern Gynecology. Google this phrase and see what you learn, if you didn’t already know. But for all the articles, nothing can bring the humanity of these women to life the way this beautiful play does. We are so lucky this play was filmed. Tickets are available to stream through February 20th- $14
Who to follow:
3. @ACNMMidwives is celebrating black midwives and nurses all month long. The ACNM is offering a variety of free webinars this month on black midwifery history, the connection between slavery and gynecology, and more.
4. @AWHONN has started the month off with this powerful video. If you’ve been following, starting in 2018 AWHONN leadership received a major overhaul after an open letter was circulated accusing the current CEO of, basically, being a racist B. We now have welcomed Jonathan Webb as CEO of AWHONN and it looks like AWHONN is on the right track!
5. @NBNA_Insta Did you know that this year is the 50th anniversary of the National Black Nurses Association?! I’m excited for their Notable Nurses series. “In observance of National Black History Month, NBNA will honor and recognize notable and influential individuals in the field of nursing. The featured icons for the month are influential African American nurses who are recognized due to exemplary service to mankind, politics, community and nursing leaders, and humanitarian efforts.” These are exactly the kind of stories I am so excited to celebrate this month.
6. @Rachel.Cargle (previously mentioned above) is giving a daily topic and writing prompt. Sure it’s the 2nd today, but you can easily catch up.
What to read:
7. Hood Feminsim by Mikki Kendall (My February #birthworkerbookclub pick)
Have you ever heard the saying “If your black friends don’t talk to you about race/racism, then you don’t actually have any black friends.” In that regard, Ms. Kendall is my new best friend. I don’t care how you feel about the word ‘feminism’. For the record, I’m a feminist, but that’s not what this book is about. It isn’t trying to convince you to adopt any ideology. It’s an invitation to listen. It is succinct, to the point and gets you up to speed in a hurry. You can buy this gem here (and 100% of my commission will be directed to a community health project spearheaded by China Tolliver, founder of Rise Up Midwife).
8. Birthing, Blackness, and the Body: Black Midwives and Experiential Continuities of Institutional Racism by Keisha La'Nesha Goode
At the start of the 20th century, about half of the U.S. births were attended to by granny/grand midwives, mostly black or immigrant but steadily declined, mostly because of a malicious campiagn by the AMA. Then, the midwifery revival of the 1960’s came, but largely excluded midwives of color, yet appropriated their practices. But this appropriated knowledge and practices were part of the allure and popularity of the white midwives (like Ina May Gaskin). Today, only a tiny portion of the 15,000 US midwives are black. Birthing, Blackness and the Body is a doctoral dissertation that really should have been made into a book. It's both a history of birthing in America and qualitative study of 22 contemporary black midwives. You can read it here.
9. Vegetable Kingdom by Bryant Terry
There’s 3 things I consider my passions outside of my partner, son, friends and family: birth, growing flowers, and cooking. Despite my bookshops and blogs appearance, for pleasure reading, it's a cookbook for me. And cooking and food has been a major vehicle for my growth as an anti-racist human. Anti-racist learning can be beautiful and pleasurable and I am here for that. This spring I discovered Vegetable Kingdom by Bryant Terry. Every recipe is through the lens of the African diaspora and has a song paired with it to listen while you cook. He writes “Many people build altars, visit gravesites and reminisce with photos to engage with loved ones that have passed. For me, recipe creation...is where I honor...my blood and spiritual ancestors. ...Educating my girls about the food and flavors of the African diaspora allows me to teach history and share memories; it helps them ...take pride in the contributions of their ancestors...and it celebrates food of the African diaspora in a world where European cuisine is at the center and Black food is often at the margins.” This book, and Mr. Terry’s others, are an illustration that Black history pre-dates America and enslavement and we should never forget that. You can buy this book here, and just like above, 100% of my personal commission will be directed elsewhere.
10. For the Culture Food Magazine edited by Klancy Miller
For the Culture just had its first issue. I’m a Champion patron, that’s how excited I am for this magazine to succeed (also that level of membership comes with some free cookbooks, and I already mentioned I luuurve cookbooks). The first issue cover is graced by Dr. Jessica B. Harris and Edna Lewis (google her! It’s Black history month, you’ll be doing that a lot the next few weeks) appears on the crowd-funding campaign covers. It’s beautiful and joyful, and I hope if you love cooking you’ll subscribe here also.
There you have it! Some resources to help you recognize and respect the dynamic history of the African-American community, unlearn the worlds whitewashed understanding of black existence and make critical connections necessary to take anti-racist action. Thank-you Ms. Cargle! If you want to show extra appreciation, consider donating to The Loveland Foundation, which was founded by Ms. Cargle.
Disclaimer: My goal here is to share some really excellent movies, plays, books, IG accounts and magazines. I receive no commissions from these links (besides the two books above that I've already noted go towards China Tolliver at Rise Up Midwife).
