Exploited Bodies, Neglected Bodies: The Enduring Legacy of Racism in Obstetrics and Gynecology
Annika Kuretsky & Loren Givens A protester holding a "Believe Black Women" sign stands at the pedestal that previously hosted a statue of "father of gynecology" J. Marion Sims in Central Park, New York. Photo by Spencer Platt Tennis star Serena Williams made the news in 2018 for an unusual reason: following the birth of her daughter, Williams developed a life-threatening blood clot, and had to beg her medical practitioners to conduct the tests that ultimately saved her life. While Williams recovered, her experience was not unique. Black women in the United States do not receive the same quality or outcomes of care that their white counterparts do—in fact, black women are two to three times more likely to experience maternal mortality than white women. This disparity is the legacy…