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coralcrab77's review against another edition
challenging
informative
reflective
sad
slow-paced
4.0
A good read and introduction to reproductive rights for black women in America.
I will preface that I read this in 2024 and it is outdated--but I learned a lot about Norplant and how much it was pushed on women of color. It would be great to see the author rewrite a newer edition, especially with the ending of Roe v. Wade
I will preface that I read this in 2024 and it is outdated--but I learned a lot about Norplant and how much it was pushed on women of color. It would be great to see the author rewrite a newer edition, especially with the ending of Roe v. Wade
bestoffates's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
informative
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
5.0
smzhou's review against another edition
5.0
really informative and well written, the audiobook narrator was also really good
in particular, the points about the new reproductive methods (surrogacy, ivf, etc) and how they affect the view of bodily autonomy of Black women was something i never considered before
in particular, the points about the new reproductive methods (surrogacy, ivf, etc) and how they affect the view of bodily autonomy of Black women was something i never considered before
wmapayne's review against another edition
3.0
This is a tremendously worthwhile historical review of reproductive injustices directed at marginalized communities, both Black and Indigenous, in the United States. Roberts makes a compelling argument that the dominant forms of reproductive liberation are insufficient to meet the stigma and oppression placed on Black women, and takes the reader through powerful historical and contemporary examples of racialized reproductive injustice.
Unfortunately, Roberts’s prescriptive solutions to these injustices are inadequate. She does not generate a cogent argument for full liberation, instead relying on hackneyed concepts of individual liberty and government beneficence to the oppressed. For such a thoroughly-researched book, it is confusing that Roberts would fall back on political solutions that have already failed many times. This tends to weaken the message of the book.
Unfortunately, Roberts’s prescriptive solutions to these injustices are inadequate. She does not generate a cogent argument for full liberation, instead relying on hackneyed concepts of individual liberty and government beneficence to the oppressed. For such a thoroughly-researched book, it is confusing that Roberts would fall back on political solutions that have already failed many times. This tends to weaken the message of the book.
karliclover's review against another edition
5.0
I absolutely LOVED this book. I read it for a class and I have to facilitate a discussion for it on Monday, so I spent the last four days reading it pretty much non-stop.
My only critique would be that she only focuses on the heterosexual and cisgender sides of things. Like in chapter 3 when she's talking about the contraceptive Norplant and how it was targeted toward poor Black women. Lawmakers wanted to make it mandatory if they wanted to be on welfare, among other horrible situations. How did this affect Black lesbians and transgender people?
My only critique would be that she only focuses on the heterosexual and cisgender sides of things. Like in chapter 3 when she's talking about the contraceptive Norplant and how it was targeted toward poor Black women. Lawmakers wanted to make it mandatory if they wanted to be on welfare, among other horrible situations. How did this affect Black lesbians and transgender people?
kmatthe2's review against another edition
4.0
Such an important book. Foundational, really, to any discussion of black motherhood and reproductive justice.
miqche's review against another edition
3.0
Interesting read. If you're even an ounce of an antinatalist, this book would make you angry because it tries to make light of moms who use drugs or abuse kids. I do not agree with comparing prenatal substance abuse to a mother who isn't financially stable. The book is a long read but does have some interesting history for black reproduction.
candidlycaitlyn_mph's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
5.0
ashkitty93's review against another edition
4.0
A searing look at the fight for reproductive justice. This would be an excellent precursor to Michelle Alexander's THE NEW JIM CROW. It reinforced what I've been learning as I've been studying various current issues: that is, if we are not intersectional, we're not doing it right. All of these systems are connected.
Narrated nicely by Shayna Small.
Narrated nicely by Shayna Small.