Hello to all the birth-givers, birth workers, and the communities that support them. Welcome to the Birthing Room, where we talk all things Black birth and maternal health.
How y’all doin’?
Now, before we get into it, I just wanna let y’all know I am NOT a healthcare professional (but if you are, hit me up, I’d love to glean some knowledge from you), so all discussion in this room will be based off personal research with a lil’ bit of legal talk….ya’ know, just to add my own razzle dazzle to the conversation.
Ok, back to the topic at hand.
HAPPY BLACK MATERNAL HEALTH WEEK!
Pres. Biden just released his proclamation that April 11 through April 17 will be henceforth deemed Black Maternal Health Week. This is exciting news!
If you haven’t read the proclamation, the relevant portion of it (for the purpose of this space, at least) basically talks about the Administration’s commitment to creating policies that provide maternal health care sans discrimination and bias, increasing diversity in the perinatal workforce, investing in community-based organizations, etc.
This all sounds great, right?
However, if you’ve lived on God’s green earth longer than a year or two, you know that words are just that…words.
They have no meaning without any action behind them.
So, I’m interested to see what action takes place from here.
Especially since “addressing systemic racism” seems to be a buzz phrase used to pacify to the Black community that’s rarely followed up with any real plans.
FYI: We know what you’re doing. Y’all ain’t fooling nobody. *climbs off soap box*
In other news, use this week as an opportunity to highlight the birth workers and advocates in your own community. There are many people and organizations in your community who have been out here doing the work without recognition from the “higher-ups”, so this is a great opportunity to give them their flowers.
I know this is a short post, but I really just wanted to stop by and give my two cents.
Trust and believe, the posts will get longer because Bri got somethin’ to say!
Peace, love, and safe spaces.
Photo Cred: Photo by Tembinkosi Sikupela on Unsplash
