Birth HERstory Blog
Celebrating the HERstory of Black women in BIRTH in the 21st Century
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"Find other women who have given birth [at home]. Women around the world have been doing it for years... giving birth without a hospital. They’re doing it right now. You have to do what’s best for you. If you want to do a home birth, prepare and educate yourself." ~ Talise "Homebirth Queen" Xavier
Note: For those who watch the video, you will notice that Talise lost video reception toward the end of the conversation. Eventually, we were disconnected, but the audio works well throughout our conversation. Enjoy!
Listen to the Podcast:
9/17/2019
Nurturing Mother-Daughter Connections & Managing the Expectations and Disappointments of Homebirth"When we try to put all of our energy and time toward unraveling white issues, [we're] not gonna really deal with the Black issues. You need to heal yourself... learn your people, your culture. Learn what fits you. You are gonna be chasing something not designed for your DNA. It's not designed for your cultural experience." ~ Tayo Mbande
Listen to the Podcast:
8/25/2019
The Comedic Legend of the Black Breastfeeding Champion in Chicago Who Had an AFRICAN ROAR"You can never, ever, ever be excellent and comfortable. Excellence and comfort do not equate. If you think [that by] being comfortable, excellence is gonna come... Honey, I'm telling you, you'll never be great."
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This conversation is a long time coming, but with the commencement of Black Breastfeeding Week during this last week of August, I thought it a perfect time to introduce people to one of the greatest influences I ever had in the area of lactation. There are few who have made the impact that Rebecca Jackson-Artis did in lactation in the Chicago area while she was involved in birth culture. In fact, you would be hard pressed to find anyone involved in birth in Chicagoland during the beginning of this decade who did not know her or was not influenced by her work or her words.
I mentioned her words for a reason. Anyone who knows Rebecca knows that she has never been one to mince her words. In other words, "She said what she said..." Rebecca has always taken a no non-sense approach to anything she does. Expect extreme candidness throughout this interview. She is also a comedian, so if you are easily offended by words or context, brace yourself. |
Disclaimer:
Rebecca discusses various aspects of her life and experiences with much candor. Please read the topics that will be discussed. These interviews are not censored or edited.
Topics discussed:
Rebecca offers this gratitude:
My great-grandmother Lue Kelly-Johnson, my grandmother Verna Johnson Turner, my mother Antoinette Rogers Jackson, my doula Isabelle Flegel, my midwives Kathleen Harmon and Sarah Simmons, TLC's A Baby Story and Birth Center, Dr. Alan Colon, PhD, and the African-centered community of women and men who honor the womb. |
Connect with Rebecca and learn about her newest endeavors:
Email: rebeccajacksonartis@gmail.com Website: www.rebeccajacksonartis.com Twitter: @rebeccajackart Instagram: @rebejackart LinkedIn: Rebecca Jackson-Artis YouTube: Rebecca Jackson-Artis Facebook: Black Becky Speaks Facebook: Totally Becky Facebook: The Rebecca Show |
What are YOU waiting for to start learning about how to care for women during the childbearing year? Whether you are considering a career in birthwork, want to learn to help your family and friends or desire to be a resource for your community, "10 THINGS" is your starting place! Learn from from a Black historical perspective... learn from "someone who looks like you"... STOP WAITING... START LEARNING RIGHT NOW! |
In other words, "She said what she said..." When we help Birth HERstories we are acknowledging the BLACK BIRTH RENAISSANCE that is happening around the world! When we share our stories, practices, or traditions from women of African descent in America, we help preserve Black Birth HERstory. It is our responsibility as descendants of African women who were trafficked to the U.S. to hold their stories and know their practices, so that we are able to continue their tradition of being self-reliant and self-sustaining as communities of Black women. |
My work is informed by my background – experiences, expertise, exposure, education & environment – as a woman, mother, wife, sister, educator, researcher, scholar, advocate, birth ally and legacy builder. #IAmTheAnswer #WeSaveOurselves
(Please note that the information shared on this blog is for information purposes only. Pregnant women should consult their PCP before following any practices found within the Birth HERstory Series Blog.)
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