As a conservative woman of color, I’ve spent a lot of time reflecting on the political choices we make, especially when it comes to issues like abortion and reproductive rights.
For many of us, supporting the Democratic Party has felt like the natural choice, largely because of their stance on pro-choice and women’s rights.
But what if I told you that the very policies and organizations that have been presented to us as empowering are rooted in something far more sinister? What if I told you that the history of eugenics in America, closely tied to the Democratic Party, was specifically designed to target Black communities under the guise of progress?
The Dark Origins of Eugenics
To understand how we got here, we need to go back to the early 20th century, when the eugenics movement was in full swing in America. Eugenics, in its simplest form, is the belief in improving the human race through controlled breeding. But let’s be clear—this wasn’t about creating a better society for all. It was about deciding who was worthy of life and who wasn’t, based on race, class, and perceived social worth.
This movement had powerful supporters, including prominent scientists, politicians, and yes, members of the Democratic Party. They believed that by limiting the reproduction of certain groups, they could improve society. And who were these groups? Immigrants, the poor, the disabled, and prominently, Black Americans.
Margaret Sanger and Planned Parenthood
One of the most well-known figures connected to the eugenics movement is Margaret Sanger, the founder of what would eventually become Planned Parenthood. Sanger is often celebrated as a pioneer of women’s rights, but her involvement in the eugenics movement is undeniable. She advocated for birth control as a means of controlling the population of those she deemed “unfit.” And let’s not sugarcoat it—this included Black people.
Planned Parenthood, an organization that many of us have come to see as a champion of women’s health, was built on these very foundations. It’s no coincidence that many of their clinics have historically been located in Black and low-income neighborhoods. This was by design, a way to control the population under the guise of providing healthcare.
The Democratic Party’s Role
Now, here’s where things get even more complex. The Democratic Party, the same party that has positioned itself as the defender of civil rights and women’s rights, has a deep history of supporting these eugenicist ideas. In the early to mid-20th century, many Democratic politicians were strong proponents of eugenics. They supported policies that promoted forced sterilizations and restricted the reproduction of certain groups—again, disproportionately targeting Black Americans.
Fast forward to today, and the party’s stance has shifted in terms of rhetoric, but the underlying strategy remains. By aligning itself with the pro-choice movement and organizations like Planned Parenthood, the Democratic Party continues to support policies that, at their core, are about controlling the population of marginalized groups, including Black people.
The Deception of “Empowerment”
We’re told that having the right to choose is about empowerment, about taking control of our own bodies and futures. But when we look at the history, it’s clear that this “choice” has been shaped by a desire to limit the growth of our communities. It’s a deception that has been fed to us for generations, cloaked in the language of progress and rights, but rooted in a history of racism and control.
Why This Matters Now
As Black women, we need to understand that the issues we face today are deeply connected to the past. The Democratic Party’s current pro-choice stance is not just about supporting women’s rights—it’s about continuing a legacy that has always sought to control us. Voting for a candidate simply because they are pro-choice without understanding the full historical and political context is exactly what those in power have counted on.
What Can We Do?
It’s time to start asking tough questions. Why are we supporting policies and organizations that were designed to work against us? Why do we continue to align ourselves with a party that has a history of promoting our population control?
We need to educate ourselves, dig deeper into the history of eugenics, and recognize how it still influences the political landscape today. It’s about making informed choices, not just in the voting booth but in how we engage with the issues that directly impact our community.
Let’s move beyond the surface-level narratives and start uncovering the truth. It’s not enough to simply be pro-life or pro-choice. We need to understand the history, the politics, and the real motivations behind these movements so that we can make decisions that truly empower us and protect the future of our community.
Read More
https://ohiosenate.gov/news/on-the-record/abortion-is-killing-the-black-community
The Speculative South 