“Every 21 minutes, our next possible LEADER is aborted,” states the billboard, which features an artistic rendering of Obama’s profile with a caption directing viewers to visit ThatsAbortion.com. The billboard features an image of President Obama, and is clearly aimed at the black population. The image of Obama is misleading in that it seems to have a political connotation, or even be a political poster meant to suggest that the message is supported and promoted by Obama and other black leaders.
I feel that this billboard relates to our discussions surrounding the concept of a “diseased and deviant race.” Similar to the Tuskegee syphilis experiment, this billboard argues that the black community is to blame and certainly uses stereotypical and predominant notions of racial black sexuality. Black women and men are hypersexualized and treated/viewed as a sexual commodity. Therefore, abortions are seen as a result of their own behaviors and promiscuity.
However, even if higher rates of prevalence of abortions are among the black population doesn’t mean that it is the fault of the black community. There are many other factors which may contribute to this prevalence such as lack of access to health care, poor health care, racial inequality, and corresponding social and economic marginalization.
I feel that this billboard relates to our discussions surrounding the concept of a “diseased and deviant race.” Similar to the Tuskegee syphilis experiment, this billboard argues that the black community is to blame and certainly uses stereotypical and predominant notions of racial black sexuality. Black women and men are hypersexualized and treated/viewed as a sexual commodity. Therefore, abortions are seen as a result of their own behaviors and promiscuity.
However, even if higher rates of prevalence of abortions are among the black population doesn’t mean that it is the fault of the black community. There are many other factors which may contribute to this prevalence such as lack of access to health care, poor health care, racial inequality, and corresponding social and economic marginalization.
Furthermore, I feel that this billboard almost seems to suggest that the reason there exists a discrepancy between the number of black leaders and white leaders we see within higher positions in society is due to the acts of the black community, particularly black women. In other words, if they weren’t having abortions performed, they would see the same number of black leaders as there are white, ignoring the fact that there have and still are racial injustices.
I feel that it is essential that all individuals are allowed to make informed decisions about their health, regardless of their race/ethnicity.
I feel that it is essential that all individuals are allowed to make informed decisions about their health, regardless of their race/ethnicity.
Angela B.
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