Undivided Rights: Women of Color
Organize for Reproductive Justice by
Elena Gutierrez
Freedom Of Choice For Every Woman!
If you have come to help me, please go away. But, if you have come
because your liberation is bound up with mine, let us work together.-Lila
Watson, Aboriginal Activist
Vibrant. Strong. Fierce. Undivided Rights captures the evolving and largely
unknown activist history of women of color organizing for reproductive
justice-on their own behalf.
Undivided Rights presents a fresh and textured understanding of the
reproductive rights movement by placing the experiences, priorities, and
activism of women of color in the foreground. Using historical research,
original organizational case studies, and personal interviews, the authors
illuminate how women of color have led the fight to control their own

bodies and reproductive destinies. Undivided Rights shows how women of
color--starting within their own Latina, African American, Native American,
and Asian American communities-have resisted coercion of their
reproductive abilities. Projected against the backdrop of the mainstream
pro-choice movement and radical right agendas, these dynamic case
studies feature the groundbreaking work being done by health and
reproductive rights organizations led by women-of-color.
The book details how and why these women have defined and
implemented expansive reproductive health agendas that reject legalistic
remedies and seek instead to address the wider needs of their
communities. It stresses the urgency for innovative strategies that push
beyond the traditional base and goals of the mainstream pro-choice
movement-strategies that are broadly inclusive while being specific,
strategies that speak to all women by speaking to each woman. While the
authors raise tough questions about inclusion, identity politics, and the
future of womens organizing, they also offer a way out of the limiting focus
on choice.
Undivided Rights articulates a holistic vision for reproductive freedom. It
refuses to allow our human rights to be divvied up and parceled out into
isolated boxes that people are then forced to pick and choose among.
Personal Review: Undivided Rights: Women of Color Organize
for Reproductive Justice by Elena Gutierrez
This groundbreaking book documents the courageous activism of feminists
of color fighting for reproductive freedom. Faced with the oftentimes blatant
racism and classism of the mainstream women's movement and obstacles
of sexism amongst many of the men within their racial communities, these
women are bravely demanding access to abortions and an end to
sterilization abuse. With the anti-choice opposition trying to control female
sexuality and reduce women's bodies to baby-making factories, this book
is more important than ever. Not to mention that race and class are still
pressing issues in this country, as evidenced by the tragedy of Hurricane
Katrina and recent attempts to further criminalize undocumented
immigrants . However, though the book details the thoughts and actions of
African-American, Latina, Asian-American, and Native American feminists,
I was disappointed that it neglected to mention the work being done by
Arab-Americans. Nevertheless,this is an excellent book, and unfortunately
an urgent one.
For More 5 Star Customer Reviews and Lowest Price:
Undivided Rights: Women of Color Organize for Reproductive Justice by Elena
Gutierrez 5 Star Customer Reviews and Lowest Price!