Sol Connection Vol.1 - Issue 2

Sol Connection

SUMMER SOLSTICE

20 JUNE 2024

VOL. 1 ISSUE 2

Table of Contents

17 Redefining Health A Path to Wellness. 14 Food & Wellness 09 Radical Parenting 04 Founders Corner

Updates from Heart & Sol Collective.

A Queer Journey to Conception.

Sunday Dinner Collard Greens.

26 From Disparity to Dignity Reimagining Maternal Health Care. 21 Community Carries Me Pt.1 A sweet poem about community.

34 Art in Vegas 31 Full Circle

A story about body sovereignty.

Samira Cheuk Exhibition.

39 Seeding Sovereignty Indigenous Reproductive Justice. 43 Technology's Hidden Toll

Genocide and Reproductive Justice in the Congo.

Contributors Editor-in-Chief Brenda M. Hernandez

Writers Kaleigh Mancha Rikki Jenkins Cristina Hernandez Tosha Brenda Hernandez Art Direction Briana Calcasan

PHOTOGRAPHY Cover Photo - Nomad Kaleigh Mancha Cristina Hernandez Brenda M Hernanez

Jas Margarita Jasmin Bryant Eztli Amaya FIND US

Jasmin Bryant Jas Margarita Eztli Amaya Artists Jasmin Bryant Sapira Cheuk Jas Margarita

hello@heartandsolcollective.org www.heartandsolcollective.org @heartandsolcollective

Editors Cristina Hernandez Kaleigh Mancha

Founders Corner Summer, Summer Time By Kaleigh Mancha and Rikki Jenkins Photos by Nomad @thenomaed

As vibrant sunsets enchant us with long evenings, we stand at the threshold of a new season, ready to embrace the vitality that summer brings. Hopefully, we’re past those intense April winds of change! At Heart & Sol Collective, we welcome this season of growth with open arms and a renewed sense of purpose. It's a time for us to reflect, celebrate our milestones, and look ahead to the exciting events and projects we have coming up. First & foremost, we are thrilled to announce the success of our 1st reproductive health workshop! Together, we created a safe and inclusive space where individuals could have an honest and vulnerable community-centered conversation about bodies and how to welcome our youth into puberty without shame.

If you’d like to donate products to the pantry, please reach out to hello@heartandsolcollective .com!

We painted the NEW period pantry (located at the Giving Garden) and leaned into art to capture what menstruation means to us. The positive feedback we received during and after the event reaffirmed our commitment to creating spaces where people can learn about their bodies reproductive health and find community. We are delighted to unveil the newest addition to our community initiatives: the Period Pantry. Recognizing the financial barriers that many individuals face when accessing menstrual products, the Period Pantry provides free menstrual products to those in need in East Las Vegas. Our goal is to help reduce the stigma and shame associated with periods while promoting menstrual equity and access. It's a small yet impactful step towards creating a more equitable and compassionate society, and we are grateful for the opportunity to serve our community in this way.

Furthermore, we have completed our “2024 Pregnancy, Loss & Birth Experiences Survey”. We are so grateful to our community members who generously shared their stories and insights about what it has looked like to be pregnant in Clark County over the past 5 years. Our survey findings will inform future programming and advocacy efforts, ensuring that our initiatives are informed by the lived experiences and needs of those we serve. In our Fall issue of Sol Connection, we will share the survey’s findings. Additionally, we’ll be presenting the data alongside parents who completed the survey, at the Nevada Maternal Child Health Conference in September. Want to attend? Register at www.nvmch.com.

This summer’s reproductive health workshop centered on Menopause, a life transition that often does not get talked about. In the Fall, our workshop theme will be around lactation. Please consider joining us in these gatherings, even if you have moved beyond these stages, have yet to, or will not personally journey through these experiences. Our workshop gatherings are gender, life stage, and age- inclusive because the only way

to normalize bodies and educate each other is by including all people in all cycles of life.

As we look ahead to the rest of the summer, we are filled with excitement and optimism for the possibilities that lie ahead. From providing free doulas to local families with Medicaid through our Southern Nevada Health District community partnership to our Mama Mentorship Program with the City of Las Vegas, there is no shortage of opportunities to make a meaningful impact. In August, we will celebrate our annual human milk donation drive during Black Breastfeeding Week in partnership with Breastfeeding with Maj.

Follow our socials for more details on all our upcoming events and offerings! May you have fun with friends and family at summer block parties, connect to nature (we highly recommend visiting Obodo Collective), or enjoy una paleta by the pool! Thank you to our incredible team, new intern Brandi, collaborative partners, and community members for your unwavering support and dedication.

Con amor, Kaleigh Mancha and Rikki Jenkins

SAVE THE DATE August 2024 World Breastfeeding Awareness Month

Giveaways, activities, food, refreshments, and resources All activities and events are free to participate

Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Breastfeeding Week Aug 15-21

Indigenous Milk Medicine Week Aug 8-14

Recognizing the unique cultural of Asian and Pacific Islander parents.

Honor the diversity of Native breastfeeding experiences, increase support and resources, promote healing and wellness.

Las Vegas Latch On

Saturday, August 3rd 10am-12pm | West Charleston Library Milk Lounge breastfeeding week celebration Wednesday, August 7th | 11am-12pm Healthy Living Institute

Black Breastfeeding Week Aug 25-31

Latina/x Breastfeeding week (Semana de la Lactancia Latina)

Milk drive and BIPOC photo shoot happening this week too! Join us for a Kick off event Aug 24th (more details to come)

Sept 5-11

Sharing stories and elevating voices!

Activities for each week will be posted on our website at snvbreastfeeding.org and social media . You can also follow us @snv_breastfeeding_coalition to see upcoming events!

Radical Parenting: A Queer Journey to Conception and Family Building

By Cristina Hernandez (She/Her)

My name is Cristina and I am a Queer Muxerista Latina mami of two amazing kiddos (Sofia and Joseph) who were donor conceived with my spouse Sy, a non-binary queer person! Though our journey began twelve years ago, luckily the world has changed in positive ways (i.e. more support and resources), though it has also become more challenging (i.e. anti-trans laws, abortion restrictions, etc.) in other ways. There is so much to consider as a queer parent. My hope is that you take what you need and leave the rest. Conceiving as a queer person can feel overwhelming, but there is support out there. WE are here to support YOU! You are not alone through this journey.

Queer conception and parenting is a radical act. My children are my resistance. Regardless of how our children come to us, it

is a radical act to parent as a queer person.

Questions to ask ourselves: Who am I parenting with? Is this a solo journey or includes a partner(s)? If solo, depending on your anatomy, how will this child(ren) be conceived? Who is carrying? Do I/we need a surrogate? Do I/we need sperm? Do we want the surrogate or donor to be a known or unknown? Every journey is different and only you know what is right for you and your future child(ren). I love reading and luckily there are many more books to help folx begin to think about and understand the journey ahead. The Complete Fertility Guide for Queer & Trans Parents- to-be Baby Making for Everybody New Essential Guide to Lesbian Conception, Pregnancy, Birth Taking Charge of Your Fertility (Not specific to queer folx, but many people use)

Queer First Hand Accounts Waiting in the Wings: Portrait of a Queer Motherhood How to get a girl pregnant

Donors Decide what is best for your family in regards to a known donor (i.e. friend, family, or donor via sperm bank that the child can reach out to and find once they become 18) or unknown donor (mostly sperm banks). Nevada, currently, doesn’t have a donor sperm/egg bank. If you are using a known donor or partner, you can use any of the fertility centers we have. California is the closest sperm/egg bank, but there are others. If you decide to use a sperm/egg bank there is testing that you must complete for your health. This can be done with a provider of your choosing. If you do decide to go with a known donor you may want to consider: What relationship will that person have with my child? Do we want them to be active in their life, recognized as a parent or as a relative/friend only. Depending on your answers, you need to move to make it legal (whichever way you go). Even if you decide they’re a parent as well, you may want to consider a second adoption (or not). All of these are personal choices. If using a donor be mindful that many sperm/egg banks do not have a large BIPOC database. Other Resources to learn about specific topics and hear others’ stories. Pink Families-Provides information and resources for LGBTI families and their supporters and celebrates the

many shapes families can be. Birthing Beyond the Binary MAIA Midwifery & Fertility

Podcast

The Queer Family Podcast Intersectional Fertility Masculine Birth Ritual Outspoken Voices: a podcast for LGBTQ+ families Books Transformed by Birth (uses gender inclusive terms) Pregnant Butch: Nine Long Months Spent in Drag Queer + Pregnancy Journal Lastly, here is a list of grants that offset costs in starting your family! This journey is expensive but there are creative ways to get support! Let us know if you have specific questions you’d like for us to cover, specific to queer parenting and conception! Email your questions to hello@heartandsolcollective.com

Event Spotlight

FOOD & WELLNESS

Cocinar es un acto de amor Cooking is an act of love

Sunday Dinner Collard Greens By Tosha (She/Her)

What significance does this recipe have for you? SUNDAY DINNER! It would always start with smoked meat boiling in the pot and women at the table picking and cleaning greens. It is the smell of love; it’s the smell of family; it’s the smell of making it through the week with joy! Does your family or culture have any sayings or quotes about food, eating or nourishment that you’d like to share with our readers? In my culture, food is comfort. Warming and well… soulful! My favorite ‘saying’ is the prayer; we would gather as a family to give thanks. I felt at that moment, the family bond was more connected than ever.

Tosha is a Green Side Up Team Member originally from the Bay Area in Cali. Green Side Up Vertical Farming was founded in 2022 by Las Vegas locals Alaric Overbey and Mitchell Bryant. Green Side Up was founded to address the nationwide issue of "food deserts” by utilizing the power of vertical farming to provide fresh, cost-effective, and locally- grown produce to those in need. Where did you learn this recipe? On a journey to find ways to incorporate healthier habits; I pulled from different recipes in order to create a dish that would balance the duality of keeping the integrity of my deeply rooted traditions and nourish my body to stick around long enough to teach the next generation to thrive!

How to Prepare:

Ingredients:

Place cleaned & chopped greens in a large bowl and sprinkle with a small amount of avocado oil and massage the greens until they are tender (very important step).

3 bunches of Collards washed & julienned Avocado oil 1 bell pepper 1/2 yellow onion freshly minced 2 garlic cloves freshly minced Red pepper flakes Your choice of Bone broth or Vegetable broth Salt, pepper to taste

In a nonstick skillet add 1 tablespoon of avocado oil, then add bell peppers and the onions. once the bell peppers are tender, add the garlic. 2. Slowly add the tenderized greens, making sure to mix constantly. 3. Add seasoning to taste and cover the pan half way with the bone broth. 4. Place the lid on and turn the greens down to a simmer and check the greens every 15/20mins until they are cooked to your desired texture. 5.

Pro Tip: Don’t skip the massaging of the greens nor the red pepper flakes…this makes the greens tender, and takes away any bitterness without using sugar or vinegar. Also, Bone broth is richer in depth of flavor and considered a better choice. Do you have a recipe you'd like to share with our community? Consider sharing your favorite meal with us in future issue! Email us at hello@heartandsolcollective.org.

Redefining Health: A Path to Wellness

By Brenda M Hernandez (She/Her)

My mother, Veronica, has gone through a profound health transformation that began with her kidney failure when she was only 50. Before that, she was dealing with high blood pressure, thyroid issues, and insulin resistance for several years. At that moment, realizing her health was declining, she heard an intuitive voice: “My body told me, you know what, Veronica, this is it; you gotta do something about it because I can’t handle the process you’re putting me through.”

Initially, she was frustrated due to a lack of guidance from her doctors, who only prescribed medication without exploring non-pharmaceutical alternatives. This lack of support is not uncommon in the profit-driven medical industry. Taking matters into her own hands, my mother turned to online research. She found doctors on YouTube who explained her health conditions and the root causes. Through this, she gained a better understanding of her body and the crucial role of nutrition. Our family had always relied on traditional Mexican foods like taquitos and tamales, often followed by pancito y un cafecito.

She explained that our Mexican food is inherently healthy but it's the introduction of highly processed foods that impacted our diets negatively. In Mexico, she reflected on a Tia telling her the importance of using fresh ingredients, “aqui no se usan latas, tienes que hacer todo fresquesito,” which was a stark contrast to the convenience-driven use of canned and processed foods in the United States. Her trust in food companies dissolved as she learned they often sell products that harm our health over time. This revelation transformed her relationship with food. Despite the difficulty of unlearning decades of habits, her motivation remained strong: “I want to see my grandchildren; I want them to see me be old. My mom died really young. My kids didn’t enjoy her. So I want their grandma to be there.”

This desire to be a part of her grandchildren’s lives motivated her to embrace this new health journey. Now my mother is also taking a more involved in her healthcare. She confirms online information with her doctors, closely monitors her lab work, and asks informed questions during her visits. Also, she works with her healthcare providers to integrate holistic methods, reducing pharmaceutical interventions when possible.

One of her new goals is to teach others the importance of taking care of your health. My mom’s journey is a powerful reminder that it’s never too late to make changes for better health. Her determination and willingness to learn and adapt have improved not only her own life but also those around her by inspiring them to embark on their own health journeys. I love you mom thank you for sharing your journey with me and others.

Over the past eight months, I’ve witnessed drastic changes in her health. Now, at age 53, she has a radiant glow and is full of life. By eating more nutritious foods, reducing sugar intake, fasting, or listening to the body’s signals, these steps have significantly, improved her health. Her story highlights the importance of starting small and making incremental changes. As a natural-born promotora de salud, she’s not one to gatekeep information; she is eager to share her newfound knowledge with anyone who’s willing to listen.

Event Spotlight

Community Carries Me Pt.1 By Jasmin Bryant (She/They)

Jasmin graduated with her Bachelor of Arts degree in Journalism & Media Studies with additional dedicated interests in sociology and computer science. Jasmin’s work has been used by several nonprofit and social justice organizations and spaces. Jasmin enjoys making digital assets meant to be shown and distributed for online platforms. She is embarking on making creations come to life, offline too. Stay tuned.

Thursday August 4, 2016 5:51 a.m. Writing at sunrise while staring at the mountains. Still in my pajamas, sitting on a wet trampoline as an early summer sprinkle passes on by. You probably wonder why I'm up so early. Good question. It's light outside and sunrise is imminent, but it's like the sun was struggling to get up this morning. I wish I would've journaled about the past few days Instead I've been letting my busy schedule take me away from processing my emotions on things. It's humid out here. Not enough sun to call it muggy.

6:01 a.m. It's getting pretty light outside. It is times like these when you're observing nature, do you start to feel just how big the world is. One sun warms and gives light to our entire planet. And the sun isn't even moving! Crazy how we don't tilt right over as the Earth rotates. Times like these, I'm glad I'm alive. In this space No matter the racism, or social justice ugliness or attractiveness "middle class" or "upper class" tuition or whatever part of my tuition that isn't paid for It cost exactly $0 to watch the sunrise $0 to pet your dog $0 to thank Breathe for waking you up this morning - for getting you this far - for wanting to live - for putting good people in your life

I thank this life for You, Maturing. You have enriched my life. I thank this life for You, Your strong personality and beliefs have enriched my life. I thank this life for You, That’s where the advice from mistakes and triumphs past comes from. Our talks enrich my life. I thank this life for You. Your traditional values that sometimes irk me now, are the same ones that welcomed me home, after the move. Your wisdom and hard, hard truths have truly enriched my life. 6:23 a.m. The sun just,,, appeared from underneath this thick quilt of clouds.

From Disparity to Dignity: Reimagining Maternal Health Care

By Tiara Flynn (She/Her)

When we talk about maternal health, we're focusing on the well-being of women during one of the most critical times in their lives: pregnancy, childbirth, and the postpartum period. Despite all the advances in medicine and healthcare, there's still a significant gap in maternal health outcomes, especially among different racial, socioeconomic, and geographic groups. Let's dive into why these disparities exist and what we can do to bridge the gap. The Scope of the Problem Imagine this: in 2017, nearly 295,000 women around the world died because of complications during pregnancy and childbirth. Most of these deaths happened in places with limited resources. Shockingly, in the United States, which is incredibly wealthy, maternal mortality rates are still pretty high compared to other developed countries. The CDC reports that around 700 women die each year in the U.S. from pregnancy-related issues, and there's a stark difference in these numbers when you break them down by race and ethnicity.

Racial and Ethnic Disparities One of the most deplorable disparities is the difference in maternal health outcomes based on race and ethnicity. Black women in the U.S. are three to four times more likely to die from pregnancy-related complications than white women. The same goes for Hispanic, Native American, and Alaskan Native women, who also face higher risks. These differences aren't just about money or access to healthcare but are also deeply rooted in systemic racism and biases in the healthcare system. Socioeconomic Factors Let's talk about money for a minute. Women from lower- income backgrounds often struggle to get the care they need. They might not have health insurance, can't take time off work, or simply can't afford to travel to a doctor. These barriers mean they get less or later prenatal care, which ups the risk of complications. Plus, issues like food insecurity can make it even harder for these women to stay healthy during pregnancy.

Geographic Disparities Where you live can also make a big difference in maternal health. For starters, there might not be a nearby hospital with specialized maternity services, meaning they have to travel long distances for care. In emergencies, this delay can be life- threatening. Rural areas also often suffer from a shortage of healthcare professionals, making it tough to get timely and adequate care. The Role of Healthcare Access and Quality Access to healthcare and the quality of that care are crucial. Unfortunately, not everyone has the same access to prenatal, emergency obstetric, and postpartum care. Even when they do, the quality can vary a lot. Biases in the healthcare system can lead to underestimating pain, dismissing symptoms, and not treating complications properly, especially in minority women. Addressing the Disparities So, what can we do about these disparities? Here are a few ideas: Improving Access to Care: Expanding Medicaid to cover more maternal health programs, and making sure everyone has access to affordable healthcare. Last year, due to a lot of incredible advocacy efforts, Nevada now provides Medicaid coverage for one year postpartum.

Enhancing Quality of Care: Using best practices, standardizing how we manage complications, and training healthcare providers to be aware of and counteract their biases. Community Engagement and Education: Giving women the info they need to take charge of their health, offering culturally sensitive care, and using doulas, traditional birth workers, and even community health workers to support women through their pregnancies. Data Collection and Research: Gathering more data to understand who’s at risk and why, monitoring outcomes, and using that info to guide our efforts. Research should focus on figuring out the root causes of these disparities and how to fix them. Policy and Advocacy: Pushing for policies that tackle the bigger social issues like housing, education, and jobs, and supporting laws that promote maternal health equity. The disparities in maternal health are a reflection of broader inequalities in our society. Addressing these issues means tackling the underlying social, economic, and systemic factors that lead to unequal health outcomes. By prioritizing maternal health equity, we can ensure that all women, no matter their race, income, or where they live, have the chance to experience healthy pregnancies and childbirth.

Upcoming Events

FULL CIRCLE By Jas Margarita (She/They/Them/Ella)

When I was 22, I had an abortion. I’m 27 now, and I thank myself every day, if I sit to think about it, for choosing what was best for me then. But especially lately, as I’m in the process of a diagnosis of SLE (systemic lupus erythematosus). I have hypothyroidism, low cortisol. Biologically, I have no foundation of managing stress, and I will likely pass it on to the next kin, as there’s research done on our generational curses,

by Rachel Yehuda, a world leading expert in posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). I chalked up the onset of chronic flare ups last month, to switching from remote work to in-person work, until I landed in the emergency room. Disability and bodily autonomy intersect in such a vivid, unimaginable, and possibly, harrowing way and this is where I’d like to highlight the distinction, as your loving community member.

As someone who led regionally in the reproductive rights, and justice space in Nevada, managed one of two abortion funds, and continues to serve my community, post-(awful) non-profit industrial complex, as a pregnancy loss doula, a birth control referral, a papsmear enthusiast, etc., it dialed down to those few weeks in 2019. My career was based off of having such a positive, easy experience to have my abortion funded at a Planned Parenthood by New York Medicaid, and also receive health insurance for a year, the first time I was insured in years, that, that, was simply my North star for everyone to receive abortion care that straightforward, and honestly, that peaceful. My deteriorating mental health, my trauma, does not, and did not correlate with my decision to terminate the pregnancy. Just because I was an abortion patient, did not mean I was a victim. I am done asking nicely, I demand that people get that right—-specifically in the “pro- choice” well-meaning white women of our current, and modern, time.

Harmful, stereotypical plays like “Keely and the Du” shown by Good Luck Macbeth Theatre in Reno, NV last year, do more harm than good. I was eight weeks, and I had mife and miso, to thank for reclaiming my destiny. Medication abortion, still at risk, but accounting for 63% of all abortions in the US in 2023. If I would’ve stayed pregnant, I would’ve been tied with my college boyfriend, forever, who was great, but we were not the best together. We were both so young. We “lost” each other rather than have lost our twenties to each other. My path was to move back home to the East Side where I belong. Good ole Catholic guilt, Catholic shame, built its own corner in my advocacy. I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again, my abortion was between me, my doctor, and God. Nobody else.

Not everyone has this path, and I think it’s important to note, when we’re centering family planning conversations, that everyone has unique perspectives, and if it overall dials down to respect for one another, then we would move forward. Respect is kindness. Honesty is kindness. Having an abortion is not only about choice, it’s about access, it’s about respect, it’s about kindness.

To ourselves mainly. These days, I look forward to sharing space with you for compassionate care, as any community member can reach out to me, to help them navigate a pregnancy loss including abortion, miscarriage, and stillbirth. The spiritual practice of letting go of aspirations of a Spirit not meant for us, and reclaiming our stories, centers my doula work. As I work with my own body now to tell me what it needs after its screeching halt, if I got pregnant again, I might decide the same path because what I have, there’s a genetic component. That is for me, and me, to decide. Just like you. Con amor, brillo, y fuerza, JM

Event Spotlight

ART IN VEGAS

DO IT FOR THE CULTURE

Samira Cheuk - Movement Action, Location Exhibit By Kaleigh Mancha (She/Her)

I first saw Samira Cheuk's works at an art exhibit in The Nuwu Art Gallery + Community Center (NAGCC). Nuwu Art Gallery is a POC-owned art and activism space near Huntridge Theatre. Samira's piece was the first one my daughter & I saw as we walked into the space. We were so curious about how she had created texture in her painting & unbeknownst to us she was standing right behind us. The secret ingredient- burnt sugar! When asked how Samira would describe her art style, she shared, “I lean towards figures in my work, and it's very much medium driven. While themes tend to vary widely, they usually stem from a specific personal experience.” After having seen her unique use of mediums, I was curious which she preferred & why? Had that changed over time? “I paint with a blend of inks combining water soluble and non-soluble inks.

One is Chinese Sumi ink and the other is India ink. The India Ink I associate with my Western art education, while the Chinese Sumi ink is the first wet medium I learned how to use in Hong Kong. Together the medium represents my identity as an immigrant, combining different parts of my life in the medium and When discussing her cultural identity and her art, I grew curious to know more. How had her cultural background played a role in her art? Samira shared representing different aspects of my history in the work”

“This is a different question for me to parse out, I believe that since I paint from my perspective, the work inherently carries all of me. I think my work is very traditional in a sense they often operate within the confines of composition, figures, and beauty.” Of course I had to know, what inspired her to be an artist? What inspires her art? “I don't think I can pin point an event, I think I was born with a compulsion to make things. One of my first memories was drawing on my living room floor. It's always been a part of me. Life, living, is inspiration. I often paint to work out thoughts, feelings, and experiences that I may not have the language for. Sometimes I need to make to put the chaos of life into context.”

Samira provided a parting piece of advice for aspiring artists.. “External validation is nice but it can't be the driver of your work. Also, time management and community building skills are great to help support your creative practice.” To learn more about Samira Cheuk’s artwork check out: https://sappycheuk.wixsite.com/w orks https://www.instagram.com/sapp ycheuk/

Aligned Parallel #6

Samira Cheuk is an ink painter and installation artist interested in proprioception, ways of knowing through the body, and how these modes of

knowledge reflect or internalize external experiences.

Aligned Parallel #7

Event Spotlight

Seeding Sovereignty: Indigenous Reproductive Justice By Eztli Amaya (She/Her) Abortion Fund Director - Indigenous Women Rising In the landscape of Liberation work, reproductive rights & Indigenous voices have often been marginalized or overlooked. However, the emergence of organizations like Indigenous Women Rising (IWR) is changing that narrative. Founded by individuals like Rachael Lorenzo, (Executive Director), IWR is paving the way for a more inclusive and culturally centered approach to reproductive justice within Indigenous communities…. Empowering Voices The journey to founding a reproductive justice organization often begins with a personal experience. For Rachael, it was the realization that mainstream conversations around reproductive rights did not fully encompass the nuanced experiences of Indigenous peoples. "I had an abortion and I didn’t know anything about reproductive justice. I created this organization in order to create space for us as Indigenous people to share our experiences with abortion and birth and breastfeeding." - Rachael L.

Cultural Resilience What sets IWR apart from other reproductive organizations is its commitment to accessibility and cultural relevance. Recognizing the legacy of colonization, IWR seeks to integrate Indigenous knowledge and values into their work. Central to IWR's mission is the concept of sovereignty. Viewing Indigenous communities and individuals as inherently sovereign, IWR advocates for a holistic approach to reproductive health and decision-making. "We just want to make the connection between culture, family, and sex education. We understand that will take time that’s longer than an election cycle or a grant period." - Rachael L. Land Back The call for "Land back" resonates deeply within the realm of reproductive justice. Recognizing the intersectionality of land sovereignty and bodily autonomy, IWR stands in solidarity with the movement. Control over land and resources is intertwined with the ability to control one's reproductive health and decisions. Leading with cultural resilience involves fostering community connections, and resisting assimilation. “We must acknowledge that sovereignty is different from autonomy. "Our sovereignty is inherently connected to our view of how we fit into our community and family." -Rachael L.

“We must acknowledge that sovereignty is different from autonomy. "Our sovereignty is inherently connected to our view of how we fit into our community and family." -Rachael L. As Indigenous voices continue to amplify within the reproductive justice movement, reclaiming agency over our bodies, land, and futures, Indigenous peoples are sowing the seeds of sovereignty for generations to come.

Eztili Amaya

Rachel L.

IWR Resources

Technology's Hidden Toll: Genocide and Reproductive Justice in the Congo By Brenda M Hernandez (She/Her)

In our previous issue, we highlighted the tragic genocide unfolding in Palestine. Sadly, multiple genocides are happening across the globe. This issue, we turn our focus to the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), where a devastating genocide has claimed countless precious lives. This atrocity, driven by the global demand for minerals essential to our technology, represents a profound reproductive justice crisis that needs our attention.

At the heart of this genocide lies the exploitation of the DRC's vast mineral resources, particularly coltan, a critical component in smartphones, electronic cigarettes, titanium batteries for EV cars, and other electronic devices. Tech companies, in their relentless pursuit of profit, continue to extract and actively participate in the exploitation of labor and resources. The mining of coltan and other minerals in the DRC often involves child labor, unsafe working conditions, and brutal militia control. The labor exploitation in mining operations is horrific. Workers, including children, endure grueling conditions for meager wages, often under the control of armed factions. By continuing to purchase these minerals and labor without ensuring ethical sourcing practices, tech companies are complicit in the ongoing genocide.

This exploitation fractures communities, devastates the environment, and fuels violence that disproportionately affects women and children. The people in the DRC are facing unimaginable horrors as a direct result of this genocide. The playbook is the same, sexual violence is used as a weapon of war, with thousands of women, girls, queer and trans people are subjected to rape and other forms of sexual assault. These acts are not only extremely traumatic but also lead to severe long-term reproductive health issues. The lack of adequate healthcare infrastructure further exacerbates these problems, leaving survivors with little to no support. Its important to note the ways racism plays a role in the lack of coverage and attention this genocide has received. Across the global community, but particularly here in AmeriKKKa, the internalized anti-blackness is real and it something we should be mindful of throughout our advocacy.

This disparity in attention underscores the pervasive racial biases that devalue Black lives and experiences. For this reason, it is important to have an intersectional approach to reproductive justice and deeply understand the ways oppression is interconnected. One easy thing we can do effect change, we must reevaluate our consumption habits, particularly regarding technology. Instead of buying new phones and gadgets, we should prioritize purchasing refurbished technology. By reducing the demand for new devices, we can help decrease the pressure on the DRC's mineral resources and lessen the financial support for armed groups. Additionally, we should advocate for tech companies to adopt and enforce ethical sourcing practices, ensuring that their supply chains do not contribute to genocides and should be charged reparations for the harm done to the people of Congo.

Upcoming Events

HEART & SOL COLLECTIVE

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