It’s Time to Celebrate

/ Racial Equity, Advocacy, Breastfeeding Communities, Proclamation / By

We celebrate Black History Month by acknowledging our black people in the things that we do to make a difference in the world. Whether it’s acting, singing, inventing, breastfeeding, or humanitarian efforts, we celebrate “the Black people who have built this country.” Let’s do something different this month. In 2020-2022, celebrities and more people have been speaking out about Black Maternal Mortality and the importance of what it is doing to our Black women and their families. In 2022, there were so many people speaking up and making everyone aware of what’s going on in maternal health within our Black community. How many times we are told that we know nothing about our bodies…“It’s ok, I know what I’m talking about,” “It will pass or the pain will,” “Go home and lay down, you just need some rest and don’t forget Oh! It’s normal – you just had a baby.” That word (normal) is what you hear all the time. According to the CDC, we have had 55.3 Black maternal deaths per 100,000 live births in 2020. That’s a total of 293 Black maternal deaths in 2020 compared to 206 in 2018. Wow! This is such a huge jump. Advocating for Black Maternal Health should be celebrated because we are speaking out, demanding to be heard, and demanding action! So, lets celebrate Black maternal health advocacy this month of February. I have had the pleasure of watching the following 3 shows, which proves to me that people are more aware and speaking out on Black Maternal Mortality.

“When A Black Mothers Dies There Is A Ripple Effect.” – AfterShock

“Our Wombs Create Life.”

Black Lives Matter – Our Lives Matter.

Black Maternal Health in television and film: