Bonding with Our Babes
According to the CDC, Native, Alaskan Native, and Black women have a mortality rate during or right after birth 4-5 times higher than their white counterparts after age 30. Before age 30, the mortality rates for these women during or right after birth are 2-3 times higher. The CDC itself defines this as a national issue, and says these numbers aren't affected by education level, and it's true for women nationwide. The numbers are a deep and painful example of systemic racism, all over our country.
In 2020, maternal deaths increased by as much as 41% after the pandemic was declared. And with the end of Roe v. Wade, these numbers are only expected to increase dramatically more.
Art can't necessarily change a racist system, but through art, we have the power to shine a light on the joy and love women bring in birthing new life. We have an opportunity to humanize women in these three communities -- Alaskan Native, Black, and Native -- and to show depth and beauty in the love and intimacy these women bring to their families, to their children. We have an opportunity to empower marginalized women, to show them that they belong in medical spaces. That they are celebrated and welcomed.
My series of photographs focuses on Native, Alaskan Native, and Black women bonding with their babies and young children. The series is simple and beautiful, and all about love and connection. Skin to skin. Mama to babe. The goal is to hang these photographs in labor and delivery wards in hospitals, in birthing centers, and other public spaces where women go for care -- women's clinics, family doctors.
In 2020, maternal deaths increased by as much as 41% after the pandemic was declared. And with the end of Roe v. Wade, these numbers are only expected to increase dramatically more.
Art can't necessarily change a racist system, but through art, we have the power to shine a light on the joy and love women bring in birthing new life. We have an opportunity to humanize women in these three communities -- Alaskan Native, Black, and Native -- and to show depth and beauty in the love and intimacy these women bring to their families, to their children. We have an opportunity to empower marginalized women, to show them that they belong in medical spaces. That they are celebrated and welcomed.
My series of photographs focuses on Native, Alaskan Native, and Black women bonding with their babies and young children. The series is simple and beautiful, and all about love and connection. Skin to skin. Mama to babe. The goal is to hang these photographs in labor and delivery wards in hospitals, in birthing centers, and other public spaces where women go for care -- women's clinics, family doctors.
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