We ALL need to be sharing this story. In March, a Black, #Dallas based mother gave birth to a child at home. She was assisted by a Black midwife. The child has since been taken by Dallas Child Protective Services. After the child's birth, Temecia Jackson (the child's mother) took her to a routine pediatric appointment, where it was discovered that the baby had jaundice. While the pediatrician advised that they go to the hospital for treatment, Jackson and her husband, Rodney, decided to treat the child at home with the assistance of their midwife. This is not uncommon. The pediatrician had concerns over the type of light the Jacksons were using to treat their child, and eventually reported them to Dallas CPS. After harassing the family at 5am, on a separate date, police eventually arrested the father and took the child from the family's home. Yesterday, there was supposed to be a hearing for the baby to be reunited with her parents, but it was cancelled minutes before and rescheduled for April 20. This is every parent's worst nightmare and is particularly horrible given the medical racism Black mothers face and the cross country war on midwifery. Rodney and Temecia are fighting for their baby girl and they need to know that we are too. Please share this story far and wide. Also, The Afiya Center, a Black woman-led and Dallas based advocacy group, has started an emergency legal defense fund to support the Jacksons and other families facing similar situations.
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graphic via Cool Mamas Club
