Dear community,
At Akin, we believe that our work is not complete until every person feels safe and cared for on their reproductive journey. It is unacceptable that in 2022, the United States has the worst rate of maternal deaths among industrialized countries and is the only country in the world with a maternal mortality rate that is rising.
Even more infuriating is the fact that Black women are four times more likely to die in childbirth - regardless of education, income, or any other socio-economic factors.
That disparity is only widening during the COVID-19 pandemic, as millions of Black women continually face unjust health and safety consequences.
As white cisgender females, we recognize that we inherently have blind spots in this space, regardless of any amount of education and advocacy we personally dedicate towards fighting racial injustice. But that does not change our unwavering commitment to stand for the safety, mental and physical health, and support of Black mothers, their families, and their livelihoods.
Our fury with the rate at which Black women die from preventable pregnancy-related causes fuels us to do the following:
Regularly highlight Black maternal health education in our content.
Black maternal deaths is a public health crisis and a collective maternal health issue that cannot fall on communities of color to solve alone. This injustice drives us to gather relevant information for all mothers, and specifically ensure that mothers in BIPOC communities have what they need to thrive. Until access to equitable care is achieved and the rate of Black maternal deaths is reversed, we will:
Call out the disparities in health care Black women face due to racism deeply rooted in the healthcare system;
Not affirm any study that continues to falsely claim that being Black is what causes Black women’s negative health outcomes;
Elevate voices and encourage support towards individuals and organizations who are on the front lines of fighting and shifting the system.
Uplift and amplify practitioners and organizations fighting for racial and birth justice.
We believe that in order to have the greatest impact, we must amplify and uplift birth workers, health practitioners, and organizations who are providing equitable, compassionate care, especially to those individuals and communities historically harmed by systems of oppression.
There is an irrefutable relationship between racism and Black maternal deaths. In fact, the Black maternal mortality crisis in America goes back to the very beginning of gynecology. We will continually educate ourselves and our community on the historic and contemporary violence and inequities of Black maternal health in order to acknowledge the justified anger and immoral suffering of Black mothers, to play a more active role in fighting for Black mothers, and to support conversations and actions that move Black mothers toward healing justice and systemic changes.
Amplify the voices of the BIPOC community.
We recognize there is a need for more representation of BIPOC practitioners and community members across the wellness fields. This lack of representation leads to misinformation and an inequality of resources. We are committed to providing resources and sharing voices that reflect mothers in all communities.
It is our intention this steadfast effort will result in greater diversity in akin partners and specialists, content, personal voices, and the growing akin staff and advisory board.
We are heartbroken. We are filled with rage. And we will not give up.
In solidarity,