98 | Shifting the Paradigm - Dr. Alicia Bonaparte
04/15/21 • 41 min
Dr. Alicia Bonaparte is an Associate Professor of Sociology at Pitzer College and trained as a medical sociologist specializing in reproductive health, health disparities, and female crime and deviance. Dr. Bonaparte is well known for her role as co-editor of Birthing Justice: Black Women, Pregnancy and Childbirth - a book that has ushered in a movement of Black Birth Workers across the diaspora. We had an opportunity to discuss Birthing Justice's origins and the far-reaching effects that have influenced policy, education, and birth narratives centering Black bodies.
In our conversation, we explore her work as a whole and ways in which history and community can serve as a powerful force in accessing our power to create change and birth liberation. We left feeling whole - it was full of lessons we will be taking into the continued celebration of Black Maternal Health Week 2021 and Black birth, Black life, and Black joy!
We share with you some of our favorite highlights;
There will be a second edition of Birthing Justice released in 2022!!!
"We cannot assume there is no historical precedent to the things we see today" examining our history allows us to "figure out necessary interventions to shift that paradigm so things can become better." ~ Dr. Alicia Bonaparte
The beauty of honoring our people (our community) when they are here with us earthside and giving them their flowers now. And not just in accolades and gratitude but showering them in their worth!
"Take really good care of yourself and focus on your joy and cultivating it." ~ Dr. Alicia Bonaparte
Resources:
Birthing Justice | black women, pregnancy & childbirth
Julia Chinyere Oparah | Birthing Justice co-editor, professor, and chair of Ethnic Studies at Mills College and a founding member of Black Women Birthing Justice
Jennie Joseph | British trained midwife, founder and executive director of Commonsense Childbirth Inc., and the creator of The JJ Way
The JJ Way | a patient-centered model of care
Perinatal Task Force | a program component of Commonsense Childbirth Inc.
Black Mamas Matter Alliance |Black women-led cross-sectoral alliance. Centering Black mamas to advocate, drive research, build power, and shift culture for Black maternal health, rights, and justice.
Ayanna Pressley | U.S. Representative for Massachusetts's 7th congressional district
Keisha Goode, PhD | NACPM Vice President
The Birthing Place | Natural Birth Services in Houston
Black Women for Wellness | committed to health and well-being of Black women and girls through health education, empowerment, and advocacy.
South LA/South Bay AAIMM | coalition focused on Black infant and maternal deaths/health in Los Angeles County
Dr. Alicia Bonaparte is an Associate Professor of Sociology at Pitzer College and trained as a medical sociologist specializing in reproductive health, health disparities, and female crime and deviance. Dr. Bonaparte is well known for her role as co-editor of Birthing Justice: Black Women, Pregnancy and Childbirth - a book that has ushered in a movement of Black Birth Workers across the diaspora. We had an opportunity to discuss Birthing Justice's origins and the far-reaching effects that have influenced policy, education, and birth narratives centering Black bodies.
In our conversation, we explore her work as a whole and ways in which history and community can serve as a powerful force in accessing our power to create change and birth liberation. We left feeling whole - it was full of lessons we will be taking into the continued celebration of Black Maternal Health Week 2021 and Black birth, Black life, and Black joy!
We share with you some of our favorite highlights;
There will be a second edition of Birthing Justice released in 2022!!!
"We cannot assume there is no historical precedent to the things we see today" examining our history allows us to "figure out necessary interventions to shift that paradigm so things can become better." ~ Dr. Alicia Bonaparte
The beauty of honoring our people (our community) when they are here with us earthside and giving them their flowers now. And not just in accolades and gratitude but showering them in their worth!
"Take really good care of yourself and focus on your joy and cultivating it." ~ Dr. Alicia Bonaparte
Resources:
Birthing Justice | black women, pregnancy & childbirth
Julia Chinyere Oparah | Birthing Justice co-editor, professor, and chair of Ethnic Studies at Mills College and a founding member of Black Women Birthing Justice
Jennie Joseph | British trained midwife, founder and executive director of Commonsense Childbirth Inc., and the creator of The JJ Way
The JJ Way | a patient-centered model of care
Perinatal Task Force | a program component of Commonsense Childbirth Inc.
Black Mamas Matter Alliance |Black women-led cross-sectoral alliance. Centering Black mamas to advocate, drive research, build power, and shift culture for Black maternal health, rights, and justice.
Ayanna Pressley | U.S. Representative for Massachusetts's 7th congressional district
Keisha Goode, PhD | NACPM Vice President
The Birthing Place | Natural Birth Services in Houston
Black Women for Wellness | committed to health and well-being of Black women and girls through health education, empowerment, and advocacy.
South LA/South Bay AAIMM | coalition focused on Black infant and maternal deaths/health in Los Angeles County
Previous Episode
BMHW21 - An Offering of Meditation
Meditation can help reduce stress, anxiety, and depression while improving mood, resilience, focus, and a sense of well-being. Meditation is a gift... one that you can freely give to yourself. Affirmations are positive statements that can help you overcome self-sabotage, negative thoughts. Start with what you want to change. Both practices combined can help you achieve goals, manage stress, and have an overall better quality of life.
Kristen Hanna is a BSiC Storyteller that encourages mindful motherhood in her work and daily life. Kristen and her partner have started an apparel line, Be Free Apparel, as an opportunity to not only clothe the body but inspire and encourage others to break generational patterns and heal to live and love as freely as God intended. She has graciously gifted our listeners with an offering of meditation.
The intention of this meditation is for reframing and centering as you prepare for and navigate your birth. The hope that this pause allows you to tap within yourself. And the affirmations curated from snippets of BSiC community storyteller's own experiences cover you in support. Pause. Tap in. Listen.
Next Episode
99 | Birthing Their Light - Tauri & Sarah Hayter
Due to technical difficulties, you will hear from Sarah towards the end of this episode.
In expanding their family, Tauri and Sarah found that Intrauterine Insemination (IUI) was the route that felt best. And after finding out they were pregnant, being the planner she is - Tauri began preparing for their birth vision.
They wouldn't have even known they needed to prepare for dealing with pregnancy and birth during the COVID-19 pandemic. After the 20 week scan, Tauri and Sarah would soon find they would be experiencing their pregnancy amongst just the two of them. Coming to the end of her pregnancy, Tauri was trying all the techniques to get labor started. After a night of nothing happening with castor oil, Tauri found herself a bit restless. Feeling a shift, she went to the bathroom and experienced a movie-style breaking of her waters. She shared the news with Sarah and went back to sleep.
Into the next day, there wasn't much change, and after 12 hours, Tauri and Sarah headed to the hospital. With the support of Pitocin, contractions began coming intense and fast. Working through the night and into the early morning, Tauri started to feel a new intensity. When her midwife arrived, her body had already begun pushing, her baby already crowning. And following her lead, pushing when she felt ready, Sarah caught their baby, placing her on Tauri's chest with all her "cheesy vernix" goodness.
Resources:
Expecting Better | pregnancy preparation guidebook
The Birth Partner | a complete guide to childbirth for dads, partners, doulas, and all other labor companions
The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding | nursing guide from preparation, pregnancy, expressing and storing milk
Spinning Babies | pregnancy preparation as well as labor activities to ease birth
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