Transcript of the tweets pictured above:
During late 60s and early 70s many Mexican/Chicana women were coerced (some with no consent) into being sterilized while giving birth in L.A. (tweet)
If women wanted painkillers, or to proceed with c-section, they had to sign. One was told their baby would die if they didn’t in Spanish. (tweet)
Because of language barrier, being disoriented from pain, they signed thinking it was standard paper work. (tweet)
The documentary “No Mas Bebes” tells their painful stories. You can watch it on PBS through Feb. 22nd. http://www.pbs.org/independentlens/films/no-mas-bebes/ (tweet)
It’s a very fucked up thing and watching the film was very emotional, but important. (tweet)
This film got me in my feelings. Such anger. Seeing the pain in their eyes while they told their stories. Some were sterilized at only 23. (tweet)
One of the doctors stated he didn’t have anything against Mexicans until he started working in LA. “All they do is screw, drink, and drive.” (tweet)
The other day a border patrol agent asked my stepdad “why do you Mexicans like to have a lot of kids?” Are White people ever asked this? (tweet)
No. They get TV shows. 19 Kids And Counting, eah? But Mexicans better not have more than two, or else they’re irresponsible govt moochers. (tweet)
We deserve reproductive rights by all means necessary. We do not need your approval or permission to have as many children as *we* wish. (tweet)
And I’m glad you feel threatened by us having children because we’re going to outnumber your asses in a couple of years. Cry about it. (tweet)
ALSOOO, I must add that during Chicano Movement, xicanos (being the sexist men they were) didn’t care about sterilization/any xicana issues. (tweet)
Xicanas tried to create waiting period for sterilization for proper informed consent. White feminists, however, opposed. How familiar. (tweet)
White feminists wanted sterilization on demand. They didn’t understand/care how Spanish speaking women were being discriminated/targeted. (tweet)
It’s so interesting how as women our struggles and needs change. You fought for right to birth control, we fought for right to have kids. (tweet)
You wanted to be sexually liberated, we wanted to stop being sexualized. You wanted to work, we wanted to be able to sit down. (tweet)
When people ask why xicanisma is necessary, here you go. Machismo from our brothers. No inclusion from White women. We started our own. (tweet)
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