Dr. Venus loves Black Men. Their brilliance, their attitude, their mind, and perspective. Yet somehow, she finds her feelings get hurt when they do things that feel as if they are not standing with her. We march for Black Men when it comes to social change, and yet when it comes to our right to choose, you "man up" and side with patriarchy? REALLY? As more laws are introduced and passed to greatly handicap women of all races in America for their right to choose to terminate a pregnancy, Dr. Venus goes in this week on why some Brothers may agree with the government rather than with their Sisters. They support with their absence when we march, their silence on the topic, and their faith-based posturing. How is this possible? Well, America's very nature is to be two-faced, and it has EVERYTHING to do with masculinity and power. Let's talk about it.

Key Takeaways:

[1:20] As laws are introduced AND PASSED to make it hard for women of all races to take care of themselves, Dr. Venus asks the rhetorical question; when it's time to march for social justice, we are there. But why is it, when it comes to our bodies, Black Men go silent?

[2:44] When it comes to Black power, a lot of men feel that it's great when it is social and comes to the right to vote or for better policing standards, but not important when it's concerning the Black female body. It may not matter to you now, but it will when it's your niece or sister that is pregnant and needs help.

[5:25] How do you expect women (and all communities) to stay alive and healthy if the government is pulling funding around reproductive rights and trying to take away the woman's right to choose what is best for her body?

[7:04] Dr. Venus gives the historical context around Black Men being pimped and sexually exploited, and how that may affect their view on being pro-choice. Black Men have been sexually exploited since they came to this country, and have a complicated relationship with sexuality. Plantation slavery not only turned the Black Female body into a factory but socially rewarded Black Men for producing as many babies as they could during slavery.

[10:13] Because of this, there may be a level of numbness or emotional detachment from Black Masculinity around reproduction. We don't talk about this, and it is a deep subject that calls for Black Men and Women to talk openly about these historical wounds.

[12:12] Women are socially positioned as the homemaker, and there is a belief that women are responsible for the children.

[16:42] Dr. Venus calls bs on the brothers who say they are our partners, but they are quiet. As we march and stand for our social justice, we need to feel it back when it comes time for us to be supported about our reproductive rights.

[19:31] If you really love Black Women, and women in general, raise your voice. Pull up.

[22:38] We don't need to always agree to align. Dr. Venus gives this example through the man she is dating now. She doesn't agree with him on many things and still finds a lot of his views to be patriarchal, but defends his right to say his piece.

[23:02] Not everyone will be in agreement about abortion, but what we want is alignment. What's going to empower us as a people is unity, and that is across the board.

[25:06] If our men sit down around reproductive rights and we sit down around police reform, everyone loses. It's hard to stand for something when the people you're standing for don't stand with you. Dr. Venus discusses the heartbreak she felt when she found out that 12% of Black Men voted for Trump. She had to adjust and realize that they have a right to vote for whomever they want to.

[29:06] You don't have to agree or understand to stand with someone having a choice, but you have to be aware of the impact. It's going to affect not only your family but will show up in poor Black communities and POC communities first, when they start shutting down health care clinics and Planned Parenthoods where people also get vaccines and health care treatments.

Quotes:

• "I can align, even if I don't agree."
• "Pro-choice is a choice. Empower me to have a choice."
• "We want to talk about the politics of the police, but what about the politics of the Black female body?"
• "We are real quick to support each other around social justice, but what about reproductive justice?"
• "I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it." - Voltaire
• "What I want is alignment. What I want is solidarity. What's going to empower us as a people is unity, and that is across the board."
• "Even if you don't agree with my choice, back me on it."

Mentioned:

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RESOURCES

1. These Black Men Pushed Abortion Access Before 'Roe'
2. Where Are All Of The Pro-Choice Men?
3. Black man silences medical workers vocal for BLM by asking, 'Do aborted black babies matter?'
4. On Rape Culture, Masculinity and Reproductive Justice
5. Black Patriarchy: Where Men Rule but Refuse to Build
6. The Rape of a Nation and the Reconstruction of Black Masculinity

Five Fundamental Arguments Men Historically Use to Legally Act Out "Power" on Women's Bodies That Black Masculinity Empower.

1. Women are the weaker sex.
2. Women are not as intelligent as men.
3. Women are emotional.
4. A Woman's role is in the home.
5. A Woman needs a man.