The American Dreams Podcast
American Dreams is a podcast that will explore exactly what Reproductive Justice means. Reproductive Justice was an idea birthed in 1994, by 12 Black women who felt unseen by the white establishment.
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The four principles of Reproductive Justice are:
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The right to have a child
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The right to not have a child (which includes sterilization, which many doctors won’t do)
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The right to have a child in a healthy environment and then raise them safely
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The right to bodily autonomy and sexuality
These principles are repeated throughout this podcast, as well as homages to the 12 founders who “gave birth” to the Reproductive Justice movement.
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American Dreams: Reproductive Justice is hosted, created and executive produced by Erika Washington
Associate Producer Simone Endress
Edited by: Erika Washington, Simone Endress and Wil Black
Researcher: Simone Endress
Editing and Music Supervision by Wil Black for Black Gypsy Music
Graphic Design by Mingo Collaso
American Dreams courtesy of Flobots
Special thanks to KUNV 91.5
Episode 1
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This season we are following stories of people touched by incarceration, all pushing forward to find their way into a better space. Episode one introduces you to Marcus, a 28 year old serving a life sentence in prison. How does an aspiring actor, who can play the piano by ear and have such a desire to help and inspire people end up serving a life sentence? He told us his story over the course of dozens of prison calls.
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Information in this episode found on:
Childrensrights.org
sciencedirect.org
Episode 2
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Is it possible to live through tragedy, addiction and incarceration and become an elected official?
In this episode, we’re continuing the conversation of how the carceral system affects families and communities. Today I’d like you to meet Jovan Jackson. He’s 32, born and raised in Las Vegas, and comes from a family with two loving parents. He’s been an entrepreneur, community advocate and has committed himself to staying both civically and politically engaged in his community. He’s also a convicted felon.
Episode 3
The Injustice System Cannot Break Us
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Is this a case of being a criminal or being gay?
In this episode we continue the conversation of incarceration and what can happen when women are incarcerated while pregnant. We want to introduce you to Sammy Werkheiser. A wife, mother, and former dance teacher in New York who loved working with children and lost everything after being accused of molesting her own daughter. She spent years in prison fighting for rights to be free and to be a mother.
We later hear from Dr. Mike Koeings, Professor of Psychiatry at the University of Wisconsin Madison and Aaron HIcks, a formerly incarcerated man who is now a reentry coordinator, who are working together to change how mental health issues caused by incarceration are approached and studied.
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This episode discusses domestic and intimate partner violence and sexual assault. If you or someone you know is experiencing abuse, call 1-800-799-SAFE.
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Episode 4
In this episode, we introduce you to three men whose individual stories intersect through violence, struggle and ultimately success and investment into the community that shaped them.
High unemployment rates, broken infrastructure, crack cocaine and gang violence plagued the inner city of Detroit during the 1980’s. Families struggled to piece together any resemblance of an American Dream without the resources or the comfort needed to rest well or long enough to dream.
Alvin Hill, Cinceré Al’Talet, and Phillip Sample give us a glimpse into what it’s like to walk in their shoes. Their experiences are laid out in a raw and unapologetic way that gives space for us to understand how you could end up incarcerated and how you can also become powerful educated community leaders.
Their story continues in episode 5.
Episode 1
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The Mothers of Reproductive Justice - as they are known now - were the only Black women at a conference on universal health care reform held by feminist groups. The meeting took place after a presentation by someone from the Clinton Administration on their universal health care plan. The plan didn't include any coverage of reproductive health.
We talk to two of those 12 women - Dr. Bond and Loretta Ross. And we talk to women working in the Reproductive Justice space now about what RJ is, what needs to be in place for it to work, and how the concept of Reproductive Justice touches every aspect of our society.
Episode 2
Reproductive justice cures the injustices birthing people face. In this episode, we explore the historic and current challenges to reproductive health, safety and autonomy.
In this episode, we’re exploring medical systems in Black and Brown communities. The maternal mortality rate for Black women is THREE TIMES the rate than it is for white women. More surprisingly, the ALMOST mortality rate is higher than most of us realize.
Episode 3
Nazis, Eugenicists and the History of Controlling "Deviance"
The U.S. has a dark history of "Master Race" thinking - which the Nazis studied and learned from. In this episode, we look at eugenics, forced sterilization and supremacy.
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In 1961, 44-year-old Fannie Lou Hamer went to Sunflower County Hospital in Mississippi to have a minor tumor removed. Instead, the doctor gave her a "Mississippi Appendectomy." In other words, they sterilized her. Without her knowledge or consent. A year later, Hamer attended her first Student Non-Violent Coordinating Committee meeting, launching her civil and voting rights activist career. She has said her forced sterilization was the catalyst for her activism.
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Episode 4
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Personhood. It's a concept pushed by anti-abortion activists that says fetuses are people, who deserve rights - often at the expense of the pregnant woman. We look at how pregnant people are criminalized, and often serve time in prison while pregnant, because of this misguided philosophy.
Episode 5
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Three women tell the stories of their traumatic experiences giving birth. These stories are told as one, with no narration. Might wanna grab your Kleenex.
Episode 6
Midwives and Reproductive Surgery
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Birthing at home may not be ideal for everyone, but it used to be the norm. Until professional medicine took over. We talk to Ashlee, her midwife, Jollina Simpson, and sociologist Alicia Suarez about the history of home birth, and why and how it's making a comeback.
Episode 7
Best Practices ​
This episode is about best practices for achieving healthy pregnancies and births. We spoke to Dr. Saraswathi Vedam with The Birth Place Lab, a University of British Columbia division that conducts research and helps provide equitable access to reproductive care. We also spoke to Rosanna Davis, the President of CAL Midwives, an association of licensed midwives who provide reproductive care to patients and fight for reproductive justice in the state of California.
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