Root Work and Resilience: The Fight for Black Families

In this episode of Adoptees Crossing Lines, Zaira sits down with Tamara and Tracey Robertson, sisters, healers, and advocates serving as Healers in Residence with Movement for Family Power. Together, they discuss their journey of resisting the harms of the family policing system, while centering Black birth traditions, ancestral wisdom, and community healing. From childhood foundations of faith and service to their powerful doula work, this conversation is a testament to the resilience and power of Black families protecting their own.

In this episode, we cover:

• (03:03) What led Tamara and Tracey to do the healing work they do today.
• (07:41) Their introduction to the family policing system and how it fueled their advocacy.
• (16:02) Tamara’s story of caring for her brother and keeping him out of the system.
• (22:04) Doula work and challenges Black families face during pregnancy, birth, and postpartum care.
• (32:10) The erasure of Black birth traditions and the need for advocacy in hospital settings.
• (39:32) What it means to be a Healer in Residence with Movement for Family Power and disrupting the family policing system through love and community.

Call To Action:

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• Website: adopteescrossinglines.com
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Connect with Tamara Robertson:

• Instagram: @queeeentam
• Email: [email protected]
• Movement for Family Power: movementforfamilypower.org

Listen to these episodes next:

• Alan’s Episode: An insightful conversation with Alan, an abolitionist and advocate deeply rooted in efforts to dismantle the family policing system. Alan shares their journey of understanding the harmful impacts of the system, their personal experiences, and their vision for transformative change.
• Dorothy Roberts’ Episode: A powerful interview with Dorothy Roberts, acclaimed scholar and author of Torn Apart. Dorothy discusses the historical and present-day harms of the family policing system, offering a compelling argument for abolition and highlighting how systemic racism continues to harm Black families.

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Editing by J. Way (AV Editor)

Special thanks to J. Way for editing the podcast. To collaborate with her, email her at [email protected].