We All Have A Little Notorious RBG & Fannie Lou in us!

  As most of us, I sincerely mourn the loss of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg. And I contemplate the plethora of reasons for concern over the timing of replacing the late Justice’s seat. And there is no way to adequately rank those concerns according to criticality. But one reason, in particular, that is cause for grave concern, and has led me to this article, is Women’s Reproductive Rights. And though the speculation and/or allegations concerning forced sterilization of women in ICE detention camps, may be a topic too explosive for some and too political for others, especially in our “social” media communities. (NPR.org, 2020). It is too critical to succumb to silence. It’s imperative that we remain diligent, lest we forget. It is ... as the late James Baldwin professed, “People are trapped in history and history is trapped in them.” So, though (to some) such allegations are unfathomable or of no imminent threat or concern to others, makes it necessary to evoke the memory that it was this same dehumanizing practice imposed on Fannie Lou Hamer — a name and face not so far off in the distant past. If we forget, we posture ourselves to be treated a certain kind of way. And as history has shown, when people are treated a certain kind of way it becomes their reality. Consequently, Fannie Lou Hamer (another one of the most fierce civil rights activists of our time) was sterilized without her consent while going in the hospital for a totally different procedure. [Forced sterilization was a common method of population control in Mississippi that targeted poor, African-American women.] This would become fuel in the case that RBG was fighting, on behalf of two young women who were threatened with sterilization.(Kovan, 2020). So, this legendary post held by this bridge builder and fierce fighter for Women’s Rights deserves that we not become sullen, deflated, discouraged and silent. Instead warrants that we harness our power. Keep marching, keep fighting —we all have a little Notorious RBG and Fannie Lou in us! 👑 

References

Kovan, B., (September 21, 2020). When Gloria Met Ruth. Retrieved from https://www.bustle.com/rule-breakers/gloria-steinem-ruth-bader-ginsburg

NPR.org (2020). CE, A Whistleblower And Forced Sterilization. Retrieved from https://www.npr.org/2020/09/18/914465793/ice-a-whistleblower-and-forced-sterilization