Equity & Justice Archives - Page 6 of 12

10 Jul, 2013

How Can “Red” States & “Blue” States Work Together for Reproductive Justice?

By Nicole Clark, LMSW|2021-08-19T18:12:28-04:00July 10th, 2013|Categories: Equity & Justice|Tags: activism, reproductive justice|0 Comments

Recently, The Texas State House of Representatives voted to pass Senate Bill 537, a law to ban abortions after 20 weeks. This law would have closed 37 of the state’s 42 abortion clinics. Given that Texas is a conservative (aka “red” state), it was nearly certain that the law would pass.

That’s when Wendy Davis, backed by an army of pro-choice activists and lawmakers, launched the most epic filibuster, standing from 11am until midnight to express how this bill would impact Texas women, ending a 30-day special session called by Governor Rick Perry. All over social media, supporter of Texas’ abortion clinics, and pro-choice advocates nationwide sent their support, many donating money to buy food and other items for the activists that stood outside while Wendy spoke. However, as of yesterday, the Texas House has begun debating on House Bill 2, essentially doing what Senate Bill 537 hoped to do. The House must approve the bill again on before it will be sent to the Senate.

It brought me back to something that I often don’t think much about: I’m a southerner, born and raised in Georgia (another red state) for over 25 years, before moving to New York in 2008. In a progressive state like New York where access to abortion, birth control, and other reproductive services are accessible for the most part, it’s often easy to remain in a bubble, neglecting to pay attention to what’s happening elsewhere. I may not think about my southern roots often, but one thing I do ponder is where my activism is most needed: in progressive states, or in what’s considered “red” or “flyover” states, where some of the worst policies against women’s reproductive rights are being introduced to state legislatures. At times I do wonder if I would I be considered an outsider, coming in to help “save the day?”, despite my southern upbringing.

How can “red” states and “blue” states work collectively for reproductive justice? Here are some important things to consider: (more…)

12 Mar, 2013

Sign On to Support the “No Stigma! No Shame!” Campaign

By Nicole Clark, LMSW|2021-08-19T18:05:05-04:00March 12th, 2013|Categories: Equity & Justice|Tags: reproductive justice, Youth|0 Comments

Last week, I shared my thoughts on a teen pregnancy prevention campaign launched by the Department of Social Services of the New York City Human Resources Administration called “Think Being a Teen Parent Won’t Cost You?” . A few days later, I met with some amazing women here in New York City, as members of the New York Coalition for Reproductive Justice . We spent overly 2 hours venting our frustrations, brainstorming ideas, and coming up with demands and solutions that will help (and not harm) teen mothers living and parenting in New York City.

As I mentioned last week, there is nothing wrong with getting teens to think about what they could potentially face if they were to become a young parent, but it should not be at the cost of shaming, blaming and stigmatizing their peers who have chosen to parent.

Based on that amazing evening of frustration, strategy, and insight, we have decided to launch the No Stigma! No Shame! campaign. Read our letter and sign on to show your support for our campaign. (The sign on information is included after the letter!) (more…)

5 Mar, 2013

The Problem with ” Think Being a Teen Parent Won’t Cost You? “

By Nicole Clark, LMSW|2021-08-19T18:04:33-04:00March 5th, 2013|Categories: Equity & Justice|Tags: reproductive justice, Youth|0 Comments

The New York City Human Resources Administration recently launched “Think Being a Teen Parent Won’t Cost You?”, a teen pregnancy prevention campaign aimed to curb the rates of teen pregnancy in New York City. My initial reaction to the ad campaign, was “Wasn’t there a new report announced last month that teen pregnancy rates in New York City has fallen considerably? Are these ads in connection with that, in order to decrease the rates even more? Also, why is this campaign developed by the Human Resources Administration and not, say, the Department of Health, especially given the difficulties many households in New York City have in even accessing resources from the HRA?”

According to the New York City Office of the Mayor, more than 20,000 teens in New York City become pregnant each year. While this sounds like a lot, the New York City Department of Health recently released data showing that teen pregnancy rates have steadily declined by 27% over the last 10 years. A key reason? Access to condoms, birth control, and emergency contraception. The city has recognized the steep cost of gaining access to birth control, and by increasing access to birth control in schools (and instituting a mandated comprehensive sex education curriculum) teens are more likely to utilize birth control options. Another key reason for the decline of the teen pregnancy rate in New York City: Support from New York City parents.

So, why does “Think Being a Teen Parent Won’t Cost You?” have the potential to impede the efforts the city has made with reducing teen pregnancy rates? (more…)

6 Feb, 2013

Two Youth-Focused Groups Leading the Fight Against HIV/AIDS in the Black Community

By Nicole Clark, LMSW|2021-08-19T18:02:59-04:00February 6th, 2013|Categories: Equity & Justice|Tags: HIV, Youth|0 Comments

(Pictured: Members of WE SPEAK, a program of Young Women of Color HIV/AIDS Coalition. Kymsha Henry (bottom left) is the Co-Director of YWCHAC, and Claire Simon (middle) is the chair of the YWCHAC steering committee)

February 7th is National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day (NBHAAD), a national effort to encourage more HIV testing in the Black community, education about how HIV is spread, and advocacy around developing sound interventions that encourage more Blacks to get tested for HIV. National organizations, researchers, academic institutions, and local social service programs continue to provide more ways to encourage the Black community to not only get tested for HIV, but to also become more knowledgeable about ways to reduce HIV transmission, and where to go for treatment if one receives a positive test for HIV.

The biggest focus of NBHAAD is on testing. In many communities, along with the Black community, we often see individuals get tested, via blood testing or through testing the saliva using rapid tests like Oral Quick. While testing is always a bigger component to preventing the spread of HIV, it’s nothing if it’s not paired with education (including how the virus is spread as well as how it’s not spread, when someone as an AIDS diagnosis, and universal precautions to prevent infection) that empowers others to get tested, decrease the stigma of getting testing, and seeking treatment.

Many of these efforts are being led by young people, and especially young women of color, who care enough about their communities to make sure that their peers do not fall victim to HIV/AIDS. Through creative workshops, campus and community advocacy, social media, and entertainment, many young people are becoming the face of HIV activism.

Here are two youth-focused groups that hold a special place in my heart and are changing the way we look at HIV activism. Learn more about their effect in their communities and school campuses, and find out how you can support their efforts: (more…)

22 Jan, 2013

Keeping the Faith in the Pro Choice Movement

By Nicole Clark, LMSW|2021-08-19T18:02:15-04:00January 22nd, 2013|Categories: Equity & Justice|Tags: reproductive justice|0 Comments

Originally written in Fall 2006 for the Pro-Choice Public Education Project

Revised January 2013 and cross-posted on Flyover Feminism for the 40th anniversary of Roe v. Wade.

Today is the 40th anniversary of the United States Supreme Court’s landmark ruling that affirmed a woman’s right to a safe and legal abortion. As it was controversial then, the fight for abortion rights for women still remains under attack 40 years later.

As the movement for abortion rights has evolved, so has what it truly means to be pro choice. More Americans who consider themselves “pro life” are actually in favor of abortion rights; however, The Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life recently reported that just 44 percent of young people under 30 have no clue what Roe v. Wade represents. Even more interesting, Planned Parenthood Federation of America recently dropped the pro choice label, recognizing that “pro choice” is no longer resonating with Americans.

Whether a woman decides to become a mother or not, she is exercising her right to choose to make motherhood a reality for her. As a reproductive justice activist, I’ve always had a rather interesting time in embracing the “pro choice” movement as I’ve always felt that the focus has always been on white, heterosexual, middle class women. When I was first introduced to the movement, I was a sophomore in college. I attended a discussion on Roe v. Wade, where I was bombarded with images of wire hangers and slogans like “Never Go Back”.

While that slogan and those images didn’t resonate with me, what did resonate was the belief that all women should have access to the reproductive services they need, including abortion. What resonates with me more is reproductive justice, the framework that champions the belief that when a woman has access to societal, political, and economic power and resources, she is able to make better decisions for her reproductive health.

Among all of the complexities of this movement for me, the biggest struggle that I’ve had has always been juggling my religious Southern upbringing with my activism around abortion rights.

Growing up in the Southern Baptist Church, I was surrounded by members of my congregation who clapped, danced, raised their hands and faces to the ceiling in praise and worship, I would often wonder if these people in sync with the same God as I. Even as a young person, I often felt out of place because even though I believed in what most people who consider themselves religious would believe, I didn’t however agree with a lot of things.

I struggled with many questions: When does life truly begin? Does life begin at conception or after we are born? The answer varies, depending on who you ask. Do we consider a fetus to be a living breathing person when we want the pregnancy to occur, or do we consider it null and void when the pregnancy is unplanned or unwanted?

While this movement was new and exciting to me in college, I began to have concerns about what my new found beliefs would have on the religious foundation that I have grown up in. I started to define what about my faith had led me to being pro choice and started to find more people and organizations out there that echoed my beliefs such as the Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice, Catholics for Choice, and Faith Aloud, which has helped me greatly.

Even with that support, I realized more that southern states aren’t exactly the biggest supporters of abortion rights. The Guttmacher Institute reports that in 2012, 19 states introduced 43 provisions to restrict abortion access, and many of the states that introduced abortion restricting were in the south. It has been nearly 5 years since I have lived in the south, and at times I have wondered if my activism is needed more in the south compared to where I am now in New York City.

On the 40th anniversary of Roe v. Wade, I think more about the biggest challenges facing abortion rights right now. I think more about who truly benefits from Roe v. Wade and if this ruling really has women and girls of color and women in low-income communities in mind, all who continue to have inadequate access to all reproductive services, including abortion. I think more about the continued stigma surrounding getting an abortion, and how I need to do more organizing around that. I think more about, if more Americans are for abortion rights, why aren’t more lawmakers listening and creating laws that reflect that reality as opposed to introducing restrictive laws? I think of all the religious community members who are doing what they can to educate others on the importance of reproductive services in ways that support the movement while also being respectful of religious beliefs. I also think more about how we can help abortion rights activists in southern states.

I’m in this for the long haul, yet there are many days in which fighting this fight seems daunting. On a day like today, I am reminded that, despite all of the setbacks, that a country in which abortion is no longer stigmatized and is readily available without question is possible, and this allows me to keep the faith in the pro choice movement.

Raise Your Voice: What does Roe v. Wade mean to you, and what can we do to make sure that abortion rights remain a right for all women?

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