142 Reproductive Justice as a Women’s Health Advocate with Dr. Willie Parker
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Years ago in college, I investigated some women’s health clinics for a newspaper article and found several fake ones, who only provided misinformation. Then I went to a Planned Parenthood clinic. Boy, talk about a world of difference in the quality of the information, as well as in the level of respect and dignity with which I was treated! Not judgment, no pressure, just the facts!
There is a disturbing trend going on right now, where many states are trying ban abortion – a further assault on women’s health in our country! Today is a show that isn’t about politics. It’s about women and their health. It’s about being able to make choices about your health and family that are in the best interests of your family. Women of color are disproportionately affected by abortion, further keeping many families trapped in poverty.
This week’s interview is with Dr. Willie Parker, the author of Life’s Work – A Moral Argument for Choice. He grew up in a Christian home in the deep South. As a Doctor, he realized that in order to show true Biblical compassion to women, he needed to provide abortion services. His journey has been a transformative one, as he eventually left his Obstetrics practice and gave up his penthouse in Hawaii, to begin life in the deep South as an itinerant abortion provider traveling between Mississippi, Alabama and Georgia. Listen to his amazing interview as he beautifully lays out the moral case for compassion through choice.
Music Credit: My good friend Lindsay Katt – https://lindsaykatt.bandcamp.com/track/stick-by-me
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Show Notes:
Dr. Parker’s conservative upbringing in Birmingham, AL.
His conversion experience and spending time in the pulpit.
The love of science started early in his life.
Abortion wasn’t really spoken of in his childhood, but he was socialized to believe if a girl got pregnant, she would give birth.
The difference in how boys were treated differently than girls (in the church) when it came to an unplanned pregnancy.
Why it felt wrong that pregnant female teens were forced to apologize to the church or be kicked out, but the boys never had to do the same.
Why Dr. Parker didn’t have to un-learn hyper-masculinity in his own life.
The influence of Dr. Martin Luther King on his views on reproductive health.
The crisis moment that tested his commitment to advocate for his patients.
The example of the Good Samaritan and how it made clear that he needed to be the one to extend compassion to his patients.
The hate and death threats that he receives from even the Christian community on a daily basis.
The church he is affiliated with in OK that has started a Reproductive Justice program.
The disinformation campaigns surrounding women’s abortion rights.
Ways race and sexism play a role in today’s abortion debate.
How Dr. Parker defines feminism
Links:
Get Dr. Parker’s Book:
