Exploring the issues of Black women’s bodily autonomy

by DiQuisha Harbor, Xavier University student

2024 LaFASA Red Zone Awareness Ambassador

The systemic denial of Black women’s bodily autonomy is deeply rooted in the intersecting forces of racism, sexism, and colonial legacies, which continue to create the need for rectitude in healthcare, agency, and the societal value of Black women’s bodies. This essay seeks to explore these issues and advocate for meaningful change by examining historical and contemporary systems of oppression. I will argue that three critical theories of Blackness—Afro-pessimism, intersectionality, and womanist theory—explain how these forces work together to marginalize Black women, particularly in moments of crisis. These frameworks reveal that the neglect and exploitation of Black women in medical research, public health, and daily life are not isolated incidents, but interconnected practices rooted in history and perpetuated by systemic structures. This argument is grounded in the understanding that anti-Blackness, sexism, and colonial legacies converge to erase Black women’s voices and needs. To demonstrate this, I will discuss (1) the history of medical exploitation of Black women, with a focus on unethical practices such as those conducted by J. Marion Sims, (2) the systemic exclusion of Black women from public health decision-making, as seen in the perpetuation of health disparities during crises, and (3) the ongoing dismissal of Black women’s pain and autonomy in modern healthcare systems, where bias and racism persist. In addition to analyzing these systems, I will introduce a concept I call embodied resilience, which highlights how Black women resist these oppressive structures by reclaiming their bodies, narratives, and health practices. This resilience reflects the strength and agency of Black women in the face of systemic devaluation and injustice. By addressing these issues, this essay will offer a deeper understanding of how overlapping systems of oppression continue to deny Black women control over their bodies. It will also emphasize the importance of centering Black women’s voices in efforts to reimagine quality healthcare and public policy. Ultimately, this essay aims to advocate for practical strategies to dismantle these systems and amplify Black women’s autonomy and agency in the fight against sexual violence and systemic inequalities.

The historical exploitation of Black women in medical research serves as a foundation for understanding how their bodily autonomy has been systematically undermined. Throughout history, Black women’s bodies have been subjected to unethical experiments that dehumanized them while advancing medical science for others. One of the most well-known examples is the work of Dr. J. Marion Sims, often referred to as the "father of modern gynecology," who conducted invasive surgical experiments on enslaved Black women without anesthesia. As documented by Harriet A. Washington in Medical Apartheid, “Sims’s practice of experimenting on enslaved women and performing multiple operations on the same women, often without their consent, demonstrated his disregard for their humanity” (Washington, 2006, p. 66). This quote underscores the systemic abuse and exploitation of Black women’s bodies in the name of medical progress.

While Sims’s work laid the groundwork for gynecology, it did so at the expense of enslaved Black women, who endured immense suffering and had no agency in their own care. This historical context highlights the roots of mistrust that many Black women feel toward the healthcare system today. It also demonstrates how medical research has perpetuated a legacy of valuing Black women as objects of study rather than as autonomous individuals deserving of dignity and respect. Understanding this exploitation is essential for addressing the modern-day injustices that stem from these practices, leading to a broader conversation about the systemic devaluation of Black women’s autonomy. The systemic marginalization of Black women in public health is rooted in anti-Black racism, which perpetuates health disparities and disproportionately harms their wellbeing. This intersection of racism and sexism creates structural barriers that prevent Black women from receiving unbiased healthcare, particularly in reproductive health and during public health crises. In Sickening: Anti-Black Racism and Health Disparities in the United States, Anne Pollock explains, “Anti-Black racism is not just an incidental aspect of health disparities; it is foundational to the systems that produce them” (Pollock, 2021, p. 12). This quote emphasizes that the difference in treatment in healthcare are not accidental but deeply embedded in the systems designed to uphold racial hierarchies. For Black women, these disparities manifest in higher rates of maternal mortality, poor access to reproductive health services, and the consistent dismissal of their pain and concerns by medical professionals. These systemic issues are exacerbated during public health crises, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, where Black women have faced disproportionate harm due to pre-existing biases in access to healthcare and economic resources. This structural neglect reflects a long history of devaluing Black women’s health and autonomy, leaving them vulnerable to compounded harm. Addressing these disparities requires a fundamental shift in how healthcare systems prioritize Black women’s needs and voices. By confronting the anti-Black racism at the core of these biases, public health systems can begin to create more s and supportive environments. This discussion transitions to examining how Black women resist these systemic barriers through resilience and advocacy.

Black women’s pain and autonomy are consistently dismissed in healthcare systems, leading to serious health disparities, particularly during pregnancy and childbirth. This neglect is a direct result of systemic biases and societal structures that disproportionately harm Black women, especially in areas with limited access to maternity care. In Maternity Care Deserts and Pregnancy-Associated Mortality in Louisiana, Wallace et al. state, “Counties with limited or no access to maternity care services experience higher rates of pregnancy-associated mortality, and these disparities are particularly severe for Black women” (Wallace et al., 2020, p. 7). This quote highlights how the lack of accessible maternity care contributes to higher maternal mortality rates for Black women, underscoring the structural racism embedded in healthcare systems. These disparities are not just about location but are tied to a long history of neglecting Black women’s health needs. When Black women are denied proper maternity care, it not only puts their physical health at risk but also strips them of their sense of control and dignity during one of the most critical times in their lives. This disregard perpetuates a cycle of harm where Black women face preventable complications due to systemic failures in healthcare. This reality makes it clear that healthcare systems must be reformed to provide Black women with fair, respectful, and accessible care. Policies must prioritize their needs and experiences to break down the structural barriers that contribute to these disparities. This discussion sets the stage for examining how Black women have resisted these systems and fought to reclaim their autonomy through practices of resilience, which will be explored in the concept of embodied resilience. Despite the systemic oppression Black women face in healthcare, many resist these forces through what I call embodied resilience-the process of reclaiming their bodies, health, and narratives in the face of structural biases. This concept aligns with the mission of organizations like LAFASA (Louisiana Foundation Against Sexual Assault), which work to amplify the voices of marginalized communities and advocate for systemic change to protect bodily autonomy and agency. Embodied resilience is critical in addressing the impact of racism in healthcare, where Black women are often dismissed, ignored, or mistreated. As stated in Confronting Racism in Health Care: Moving From Proclamations to New Practice, “True reform requires centering the voices of those most affected by racism and fostering their leadership in shaping [fair] care systems” (Hardeman et al., 2020, p. 3). This quote emphasizes the importance of empowering Black women to lead and advocate for themselves within a system that has historically marginalized them. Embodied resilience takes many forms, from demanding informed consent and seeking culturally competent care to building community support networks that prioritize Black women’s health and autonomy. These actions are not only personal acts of resistance but also collective challenges to the structures that perpetuate biases. By reclaiming their autonomy, Black women are reshaping how their bodies and health are understood and valued. This theory highlights the transformative potential of centering Black women’s voices, as organizations like LAFASA work to dismantle systems of oppression and build a framework of fairness and justice. Embodied resilience paves the way for systemic changes that prioritize the dignity and autonomy of all women, particularly those who have been historically silenced.

The systemic denial of Black women’s bodily autonomy, rooted in racism, sexism, and colonial legacies, continues to perpetuate biases in healthcare and undermine their agency. These injustices—visible in the historical exploitation of Black women, their exclusion from public health decisions, and the dismissal of their pain—demand urgent action. LAFASA (Louisiana Foundation Against Sexual Assault) is leading the fight against oppression, and its mission is amplified by the work of dedicated advocates. As a 2024 Red Zone Awareness Ambassador for LAFASA on Xavier’s campus, I’ve seen firsthand the importance of engaging students, faculty, and the wider community in discussions about biases and bodily autonomy. Xavier University, with its legacy of fostering social justice and producing leaders in healthcare and advocacy, provides a powerful platform for collaboration. Together, LAFASA and Xavier can address systemic barriers and inspire meaningful change. The need for these efforts is clear. As stated in Confronting Racism in Health Care: Moving From Proclamations to New Practice, “Racism is deeply embedded in healthcare systems, resulting in significant disparities that harm marginalized communities” (Hardeman et al., 2020, p. 3). These disparities can only be dismantled through focused action and collaborative advocacy. By supporting LAFASA’s programs and strengthening partnerships with institutions like Xavier University, we can amplify Black women’s voices, challenge oppressive systems, and ensure that all women have access to dignity and respect. Together, through education, advocacy, and empowerment, we can build a future where justice and bodily autonomy are universal. The work of LAFASA, combined with initiatives on campuses like Xavier, offers a path forward—and we invite you to join us in this vital mission.