Black Lives Matter. The fundamental right to bodily autonomy—the belief that every person should be safe and free in their body—is not a right everyone shares, which is why Planned Parenthood supports the Movement 4 Black Lives. Planned Parenthood has partnered with M4BL, an organization focused on learning, organizing, and taking action. As a critical part of the public health infrastructure, Planned Parenthood understands the importance of community-driven solutions, and each community is different. Some of the principles of M4BL are:
- Keep people safe
- Respect and listen to Black leadership and Black-led organizations that have been in this fight and leading the charge for decades
- Confront and change the inherent racism in our systems and structures
- Invest in Black communities
Black women, Black men, Black LGBTQ people, and Black families have all suffered by us not openly and unapologetically condemning a justice system where Black lives are over-policed, over-incarcerated, and killed right before our eyes.
Breona Taylor, George Floyd, David McAtee, Ahmaud Arbery, Tony McDade, Manuel Ellis, Rayshard Brooks, and so many more lives were brutally taken by officers who swore an oath to serve and protect under a system adjudicated by white privilege. This can’t continue.
This moment is calling for us to not just be great partners in our words but in our actions. As we grow wiser in these moments, we commit to use our power, privilege and position as public health leaders to stand with and for Black people, and to keep providing care—no matter what.