Make America Learn History Again: The 20th Century Sterilization of Puerto Rican Women

It’s real history, as told by the All American Man in my inbox and me.

This post contains sensitive content on racism and misogyny. Reader discretion is advised.

Women have fought for the right to have birth control and fought for the right to not have birth control forced on us.

Forced on white American women deemed feeble minded or insane.

Forced on all other women for simply existing.

In the fight for their reproductive freedom, what did Puerto Rican women want?

…for themselves

Puerto Rican women’s wishes to choose their own healthcare were consistently ignored by people who thought they knew what was best for these women.

There’s a documentary on this story called La Operación. It’s an informative story about coerced and forced sterilization, but critics point out that the film lacks the voices of those that wanted to be sterilized. I still recommend watching it keeping in mind it isn’t the full picture.

The lovely ladies at Dig history podcast have also covered this topic here.

Sources:

Birth Control Review March 1932

Discourses of "Forced Sterilization" in Puerto Rico: The Problem with the Speaking Subaltern Laura Briggs

Representing Development: New Perspectives About the New Deal in Puerto Rico 1933-36 Manuel Rodriguez

Reproductive Rights in Puerto Rico: Sterilization, Contraception, Reproductive Rights in Puerto Rico: Sterilization, Contraception, and Reproductive Violence and Reproductive Violence María Estrella Sotomayor

As always, I would appreciate you heart reacting this post for me. More engagement means more people might see my work. ♥️

You should also read:

Horny History: Concepcion Ruiz

Horny History: MK-NAOMI

Horny History : ICE and the Irwin County Detention Center