My Body, My Choice? Domestic Violence and Reproductive Justice
TRIGGER WARNING. Over the past couple of months, there have been several alarming and saddening cases of Black women being murdered by their husbands, fiances, boyfriends, and exes. We cannot shy away from uplifting the names and stories of these Black women and how pervasive and insidious patriarchal violence is. In order to see a revolution forward, we must address how patriarchy suffocates the Black community and our society at large. That discussion leads to an intentional discussion regarding reproductive justice. Reproductive Justice(RJ) is a framework developed by Black women and strengthened by Black Queer people over time. It is a framework that goes beyond reproductive rights and pro-choice. RJ covers all of those things plus the principle of having safe and sustainable communities. Having safe and sustainable communities guarantees a better future for our children and everyone else. Reproductive Justice is not just a “women’s issue” it is a guide for a more equitable future. Patriarchy is antithetical to all justice. This episode is dedicated to Dr. Cerina Fairfax, Vice Mayor Nancy Metayer, Pastor Tammy McCollum, Qualeshia “Saditty” Barnes, Ashlee Jenae, Davonte Curtis, Ashanti Allen, Victoria Alexander, Gabryel Ayers, Raven Edwards, Teonia Stokes, Gladys Johnson, Daneshia Heller, Imani Dia Smith, Bianca Huntley, and Barbara Deer.
Questions for our listeners:
How are you processing the headlines of patriarchial violence against Black women?
Links for the episode: Season 2. Episode 15
“Who Will Revere The Black Woman?” Remembering Nancy, Cerina, and So Many More [https://msmagazine.com/2026/04/22/nancy-metayer-cerina-fairfax-pastor-tammy-mccollum-ashly-robinson-qualeisha-barnes-davonta-curtis-barbara-deer/]
Arrested Justice: Black Women, Violence, and America’s Prison Nation by Beth Richie [https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/14964005-arrested-justice]
The Origin of Family, Private Property, and the State by Friedrich Engels [https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/52198.The_Origin_of_the_Family_Private_Property_and_the_State]
SisterSong Women of Color Reproductive Justice Collective [https://www.sistersong.net/]
Republicans Are Mad Teen Pregnancies Are Down [https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/republicans-mad-teen-pregnancies-down-174827943.html?guccounter=1&guce_referrer=aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZ29vZ2xlLmNvbS8&guce_referrer_sig=AQAAALbQWuOHxbGVVRVZgsELXKrKDWPwRS8ebn2FYjwWvNV2pBCclm4_4mUzGGNO6h4aaxcy3f_alh5RTJWzdkLwnK-OjDKlDBEk4nM3oa3m7lJyt5oiyKNnvyZ-z0uX8WzJO2oMO57-kMwGDoJhu6y8yl-pBJ1kvmlDI9oJVd27gDmm]
Black Mamas Matter Alliance [https://blackmamasmatter.org/]
Black Maternal Health Week [https://blkmaternalhealthweek.com/]
Black Midwives Sue Georgia Over Birth Laws That Harm Black Mothers [https://atlanta.capitalbnews.org/georgia-midwives-lawsuit-maternal-health-crisis/]
Duke Charitable Care [https://www.dukehealth.org/paying-for-care/financial-assistance]
The Momnibus Act: The Solution to America’s Maternal Health Crisis [https://blackmaternalhealthcaucus-underwood.house.gov/Momnibus]
Anti-Shackling Pregnant Women [https://arrwip.org/anti-shackling-laws/]
Black Girls’ Guide to Menopause [https://blackgirlsguidetosurvivingmenopause.com/]
Race, Religion, and Reproductive Rights: Understanding the Conservative Anti- Abortion Movement in America [https://imagine.sa.ucsb.edu/issue/54/2025/race-religion-and-reproductive-rights-understanding-conservative-anti-abortion]
Sister Outsider: Essays and Speeches by Audre Lorde [https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/32951.Sister_Outsider]
