The book “Killing the Black Body” is a brilliant piece of work done by Dorothy Roberts. The author in her book covers illegal encroachment on reproduction of black American-African women. Dorothy in her book step by step described use of slave women by their masters, eugenics policies which do not allow black women to give birth and increase black population. The author mentioned that these acts of controlling birth of black children were in favour of white people. Author further raises her concerns about women freedom and right to have or abort children. Dorothy raises this issue in large social context. She mentions that majority of the policy who formed to solve social problems were focused on kerbing the birth rate of black child.
In second chapter of the book “The dark side of birth control” author established a link between birth control drive lead by Margaret Sanger and eugenics drive of racial subtleties during era of twenties and thirties. Margaret was a nurse who played very major role in birth control and in legalizing abortion. She was a supporter of improving breed through abortion and eugenics. During twenties contraception were banned in America; Margaret brought contraceptives from European countries to distribute them in America and was arrested for the contraception distribution. Margaret refuses to respect the law that does not allow women to feel secure and have pregnancy as per her wish. Finally Margaret won and court allows doctors to advise contraception to women. The author raised a question on Margaret Sanger’s identity, was she a racist. Margaret could also be part of a well-planned strategy of politicians. It was not justice to forcefully reduce the fertility of black women and Birth control drive lead by Margaret was on the same path. Margaret drive supported the eugenics movement and helped in sterilising black women. The birth control drive carried out by Margaret was praised by various white people and socialist whereas in her book Dorothy explained the opposite side of coin. She described all the hidden agendas and main reason to carry out that birth control drive by Margaret (Roberts).
Margaret Society and American Eugenics society were having many common funded. Dr. Gamble who funded eugenics programme of North Carolina also funded Margate society. The main aim of Dr. Gamble was to increase sterilization of black women. Few other documents were also found where Margaret very clearly mentioned that her main motive is to reduce black population.
Elaine Riddick was one of the victims of sterilization during Eugenics drive. She was only thirteen year in age when she was raped and became pregnant in North Carolina. She gave birth to a child and being sterilized right after birth of her child. She was not aware about what happened to her. She realizes this fact at the age of 19 when she wanted to have more children. As per records there were five eugenics board members who approved her sterilization. The reasons they mentioned that she is unintelligent, promiscuous and poor schoolwork hence to improve the breed she not give birth to more children.
Elaine said that I was raped two times first time by a criminal and second time by North Carolina State. I was only fourteen and was not aware about sterilization but those people done that with me. I have to face this throughout my entire life because I was black and belonged to poor class. She is now looking for justice for all her pain and harassment.
After having observed the above-mentioned analysis, it is good to conclude saying that the author has well studied and researched on the issue before writing. Author has presented a very analytical and clear portrayal of the black killing, Suppression of black women and strategically not allowing them to give birth to their children. The author reveals that the motive behind such conspiracy was to stop the growth of black population.
Dorothy Roberts is highly qualified and in this book, she has presented a very balanced scenario of the issue. I believe that the book is a very well written which reveals some hidden conspiracies and contributes substantially in the study of race, feminism and equality in the society. Further the author has tried to probe the reasons of poverty, illiteracy and also the deteriorating conditions of blacks. I believe that this task was not easy but author has completed the same on the basis of her devotion and calibre. The book is in front of us and now it is our duty to keep an eye on any kind of inequalities and injustices to anybody in the society and aware the deprived people about their rights. The author has done a complete justice with her job and let us sees what we do with our duties and responsibilities towards the people who need our assistance in achieving an equal position in the society.
Work Cited
Roberts, Dorothy. Killing the Black Body: Race, Reproduction, and the Meaning of Liberty. New York: Pantheon Books, 1997.
