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Read. Talk. Grow. Podcast: 8. Based on a true story: The sad reality of forced sterilization in the U.S.

A podcast where we talk about books — especially fiction, memoir and narrative nonfiction — that deal with important health topics.

8. Based on a true story: The sad reality of forced sterilization in the U.S.

Episode Summary

A government sterilizing young girls without their consent seems like the premise of a dystopian nightmare. But author Dolen Perkins-Valdez' book on the subject isn't a glimpse into a dreaded future; it's historical fiction. She and Dr. Swapna Reddy explain the true history of forced sterilization in the U.S. that targeted minority populations.

Episode Notes

We talked with:

  • Dolen Perkins-Valdez is the New York Times bestselling author of "Wench," "Balm," and most recently "Take My Hand." In 2011, she was a finalist for two NAACP Image Awards and the Hurston-Wright Legacy Award for fiction. Dolen is the current chair of the board of the PEN/Faulkner Foundation. She is currently associate professor in the Literature Department at American University and lives in Washington, D.C., with her family.
  • Swapna Reddy, J.D., DrPH, M.P.H., is a clinical associate professor at Arizona State University's College of Health Solutions. At Arizona State University, Dr. Reddy teaches undergraduate and graduate coursework — including as faculty at Arizona State University's Barrett, the Honors College in Medical Studies. Additionally, she is an adjunct assistant professor in Health Care Administration at the Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine, Phoenix/Scottsdale, Arizona. Dr. Reddy also was named a Fulbright Specialist.

We talked about:

In this episode, Dr. Millstine and her guests discuss:

  • Historical fiction that's not that historical … or fictitious. "We're still living many of the issues that are being discussed in this book," Dr. Reddy says. Women and girls are still fighting for the right to control their own reproductive choices — whether that's to reproduce or not to reproduce.
  • The need to feel heard. There are too many anecdotes about women not being heard in the doctor's office. You may know Serena William's story of repeatedly asking doctors to take her risk of blood clots seriously after giving birth, but you probably know someone much closer to you who's experienced the same thing.
  • The road to hell … How could so many people allow the forced sterilization of women to happen in the U.S.? In Dolen's book (as in life) good intentions aren't a barrier to doing real harm. We talk about the need to examine our own culpability in harmful systems.

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Disclaimer

The podcast is for informational purposes only and is not designed to replace the physician’s medical assessment and judgment. Information presented is not intended as medical advice. Please contact a healthcare professional medical assistance with specific questions pertaining to your own health if needed.