Reproductive Justice and New Jersey

This blog will focus on reproductive justice issues in the state of New Jersey, and beyond. The term reproductive justice was coined by women of color, specifically the amazing women from SisterSong. The term is meant to be an expansion of the reproductive rights paradigm which focuses on the issues of birth control and abortion rights.
Reproductive Justice uses the experiences of women of color as the point of entry to discuss issues of reproductive rights and health. This shift in center more clearly puts into focus the ways that the interrelated systems of race, class, gender, and sexual orientation work to limit women's ability to gain and maintain control of their reproductive lives.
The reproductive justice framework facilitates a more nuanced discussion of issues such as access to abortion, health care, birthing, the right to reproductive health, eugenics, population control, and the many reproductive technologies that exist. I have great respect for the women who claimed the term Reproductive Justice and use it with care, especially as a white woman who has worked hard to understand the ways white privilege has affected her life and choices.

I look forward to an open dialogue about important issues in our community, and welcome comments both critical and affirming.


Sunday, September 19, 2010

10 Reasons to Reinstate Family Planning Funds.




Tomorrow is the override vote on family planning funds.  Here are 10 reasons this should be overturned:

1. 136,000 low-income women were served with     
     these funds last year.
2. 40,000 unplanned pregnancies were prevented.
3. 28,0000 HIV tests were administered.
4. 70,000 breast exams were performed. 
5. For every $1.00 spent, we will save $3.74 dollars. 
6. Every $1.00 spent would trigger $9.00 in federal matching funds.
7. We spent $65 million to ensure malls in Bergen County stay closed on 
    Sundays. 
8. Not that this is a bad thing, but family planning funds don't pay for 
    abortions. 
9. If you are against abortion, consider this: family planning services 
    prevented an estimated 19,000 abortions last year. 
10. Family planning centers provide pre-natal care.

Gee-- that seems like  96 million dollars worth of reasons and 204,000 people served worth of reasons to overturn this veto.  I wish someone's mother would write a letter to their elected official son telling him to "be a good boy" and vote for family planning. 

(Sources: The Record, NJ Budget, Planned Parenthood)
Posted by Mandy Restivo at 5:00 PM

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