Dēmos Uplifts Grassroots Mama Agenda During Black Maternal Health Week

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Dēmos, the think tank for the racial justice movement, released the following statement to celebrate Black Maternal Health Week: 

“As an organization led and supported by Black mamas, we believe that we all deserve to live freely, safely and joyfully, especially when deciding if, when and how we want to build a family. We know that Black maternal health is an economic justice issue. During Black Maternal Health Week, we are reflecting on the work and leadership of our Inclusive Democracy Project partner Mothering Justice. Through its Mama Agenda, Mothering Justice empowers the next generation of mothers to advocate for better policies on behalf of themselves and their families. 

Through its Mama Agenda, Mothering Justice empowers the next generation of mothers to advocate for better policies on behalf of themselves and their families. 

 

Despite increased awareness of this issue, Black women in America remain three times more likely to die from preventable pregnancy-related complications than white women, and birthing people in this country are already dying at a higher rate from pregnancy-related issues than in any other nomically similar nation. This reality is the direct result of white supremacist systems. The fall of Roe is disproportionately impacting Black and brown birthing people including women.

The fall of Roe is disproportionately impacting Black and brown birthing people including women.

 

We also know that the states with the most restrictive abortion bans have the worst maternal and child health outcomes.  

While this week is an opportunity to reflect and rejoice in the advocacy of Black mamas, we know that creating healthy outcomes for future generations of Black mothers and their families to thrive requires policies such as affordable childcare and paid leave that center our needs. The increasing attacks on self-determination and bodily autonomy orchestrated by ultraconservative extremists make Black mama-centered advocacy even more necessary.” 

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