Black Lives Matter: Georgia Birth Advocacy Coalition Statement on Racism in Maternity Care

Photo by Chase Baker on Unsplash

Photo by Chase Baker on Unsplash

Over the past several weeks, millions of Americans have stood up to demand justice for George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, and many others who died at the hands of police. They are demanding acknowledgment of a simple, indisputable fact: that Black lives matter.

Black lives matter at all times—even when white people are not joining protests, even when a death gets no media coverage. We all must extend our view of the movement to include the epidemic of preventable maternal mortality. Every year, preventable pregnancy-related complications claim hundreds of Black lives. These tragedies often feature stories of birthing people asking for help as doctors ignore them. Kira Johnson died begging for her life, slowly bleeding to death as a health worker told her she was “not a priority.” Lashonda Hazard was sent home to die, without treatment. She and her baby both died. Amber Isaac was alone during the COVID crisis, terrified of dying. She died alone, without her partner by her side, hours after tweeting concerns about her treatment. These parents—and the many like them who did not get media attention--should be alive today. With better care, they would be.

Amber Isaac, Kira Johnson, Lashonda Hazards, and hundreds like them died within a racist system that did not value their lives. They, much like people killed by police, often go unnoticed, or are blamed for their own deaths. In the birth community, we must cry out for justice for them, too. We must demand accountability and proclaim that enough is enough. Those responsible for their deaths—the doctors who ignored them, the nurses who dismissed them—must be punished. Black maternal mortality is not an accident. It is not inevitable.

This organization will not be silent. It will be accountable to all people we advocate for, including the Black women who must give birth in this racist, abusive system. Racism is not a political issue. It is a moral one. If you cannot see or care about the effects of racism, then you cannot see or care about the pain of your fellow human being. The Georgia Birth Advocacy Coalition is committed to building a culture of accountability in birth. To do so, we must correctly name the force that is causing so many families to suffer at the hands of our maternity care system: racism. We cannot fight an enemy we do not name.

What We Are Doing

Here are the specific steps GBAC is taking to fight racism:

  • Recognizing that white supremacy has systematically harmed generations of Black families, beginning this month, we will begin making a small reparations payment to Black families and birthworkers in need. GBAC is a small, self-funded organization. These donations will not be large, but they will be a start. We hope that others will be inspired to give, too, so that the pool of funds can grow to a meaningful amount. We will share what we are giving and why each month. We will post the opportunity each month, on the 15th of the month. Simply email info@georgiabirth.org if you see an opportunity you are interested in.

  • GBAC is implementing a comprehensive anti-racism policy for its social media page. The GBAC page will not be an outlet for racism, and will not be an unsafe space for any viewers, especially Black viewers. All racist comments will be deleted. Users who make racist comments will be banned from the page. We will post this policy on the Facebook page no later than July 1.

  • It is the obligation of white people to fight white supremacy. With that in mind GBAC will discuss these policies with anyone who objects to them, does not understand them, or wants to learn more. However, the GBAC page is not the appropriate place to debate whether racism exists or the suffering of Black mothers is real. If you would like to begin a discussion, you need help accessing antiracism resources, or you have any other questions or concerns, please email info@georgiabirth.org

  • GBAC will continue to help any person giving birth in Georgia who needs that help. We can connect you to lawyers, educate you about your Georgia childbirth rights, help you understand how COVID may affect those rights, offer research on racism in Georgia hospitals, and much more. GBAC does not charge for help. Anyone in need is always welcome to seek help via info@georgiabirth.org

What You Can Do

The fight for Black lives should extend well beyond protests in the streets. If you want to stand up for Black families facing racism in the maternity care system, here are some great starting points:

  • Offer direct assistance to Black families and birthworkers. GBAC will continue to post opportunities to help, connecting you to people in need. Money is a powerful resource. White people financially benefit from white supremacy. Give back some of those benefits.

  • Speak out against racism in maternity care. Human lives matter more than personal discomfort.

  • If you are white, educate yourself about white supremacy. How to Be an Antiracist by Ibram X. Kendi is an exceptionally good starting point. The Georgia Birth Advocacy Coalition has a large collection of antiracism books, including those that focus on healthcare and maternal mortality. If you need a recommendation or would like to borrow a book, email info@georgiabirth.org.

  • Consider matching GBAC scholarships/reparations. We will post these opportunities on the 15th of each month. If a particular opportunity speaks to you, please contact info@georgiabirth.org to learn how you can help and participate.

  • Vote! Georgia is lucky to have a number of elected representatives who are deeply committed to ending maternal mortality and improving healthcare. Park Cannon is a doula. Renitta Shannon, Been Nguyen, Mable Thomas, and numerous other representatives have strongly advocated for reproductive justice.

  • Contact your representatives to educate them and ask what they are doing. You can visit them at the Georgia Capitol during the legislative session, or email them here or here.

  • Give generously to organizations that are fighting to end racism in maternity care. There are many:

Learn More About Maternal Mortality

This is a moment of heightened civil rights awareness. The Black maternal mortality crisis in Georgia is not new. Indeed, it is getting steadily worse. If the maternal mortality crisis is new to you or you are not sure what is causing it, one of the most powerful steps you can take is to educate yourself so you can educate others.

Georgia leads the nation in maternal mortality. We have a higher maternal death rate than 100 other countries. Black pregnant people comprise a disproportionate share of this death toll, and the overwhelming volume of research tells us they die because of systems that fail them. Georgia’s maternal mortality rate is six times the national average—and 48 times higher than that of many European nations, where maternal mortality has been virtually eliminated.

Research tells us that about half of medical residents believe racist myths about Black people. Black people will not get equitable, quality care from those doctors without major systemic change and more accountability. A 2011 study found that doctors may ignore Black women or offer them substandard treatment. Twenty-one percent of Black pregnant people say they faced racism when seeking treatment for pregnancy-related medical conditions.

In a racist system, educating people about their birthing rights or teaching them to ask questions will never be enough. Hospitals, doctors, and medical systems must treat every birthing person like they matter. We must demand this of them. Maternal mortality is not inevitable. Birth trauma can be largely eliminated. And racism in maternity care must be snuffed out.

Some additional resources for data and statistics include:

Zawn Villines