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By Darius Spearman (africanelements)
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| KEY TAKEAWAYS |
|---|
| California’s forced sterilization laws led to over 20,000 procedures by 1979. |
| Geynna Buffington’s case highlights ongoing injustices in informed consent practices. |
| The California reparations program for sterilization survivors was established in 2021. |
| Survivors face significant challenges in accessing the reparations program. |
| Numerous women were sterilized without consent even after the repeal of eugenics laws. |
| Systemic racism impacts the experiences and treatment of applicants in the reparations process. |
The Dark Legacy of Forced Sterilizations in California: A Systemic Violation of Human Rights
California’s history includes a troubling chapter of state-approved forced sterilizations. Rooted in the false science of eugenics, these practices were driven by racism, fear of foreigners, and discrimination against people with disabilities. This dark legacy spans over a century, affecting survivors and their communities even today.
Historical Context: The Eugenics Era
From 1909 to 1979, California had eugenics laws that led to the sterilization of about 20,000 people, mainly women and men labeled as “undesirable” by society. This cruel practice targeted African American, Latina, and Puerto Rican women, as well as individuals with disabilities (ACLU SoCal).
The eugenics movement in California wasn’t just a wrong scientific idea; it showed deep-rooted racist and anti-immigrant beliefs. The state’s sterilization program was so widespread that it influenced Nazi Germany’s policies (The New York Times). Understanding this connection reveals how dangerous these beliefs can be when they spread.
Key Terms to Know
Eugenics: The false belief that society can be improved by controlling who can have children, often harming marginalized groups (History.com).
Ableism: Discrimination against people with disabilities, treating them as less valuable or capable (Access Living).
Xenophobia: Fear or dislike of people from other countries or cultures (United Nations).
Pseudoscience: Ideas that claim to be scientific but lack evidence and cannot be tested (UC Berkeley).
Timeline of Forced Sterilizations in California
Timeline of Forced Sterilizations in California
The Persistence of Forced Sterilizations
Sadly, forced sterilizations didn’t stop when the eugenics laws were repealed in 1979. Evidence shows that coerced sterilizations continued in state prisons and hospitals into the 21st century. Between 2006 and 2010, at least 144 women inmates underwent sterilization procedures without proper consent or state approvals (The 19th).
This ongoing violation of human rights highlights the systemic nature of reproductive oppression, especially against incarcerated women and women of color. The state’s role in these acts, even after the eugenics programs ended, shows how deeply racist and discriminatory ideas were embedded in institutions.
The Madrigal v. Quilligan Lawsuit
In the 1970s, ten Latina women filed a lawsuit known as Madrigal v. Quilligan. They claimed they were sterilized without proper consent at the Los Angeles County-USC Medical Center (NPR). Although they lost the case, it brought national attention to forced sterilizations. It led to better consent procedures and increased awareness about reproductive rights.
Forced Sterilization in California: By the Numbers
The Case of Geynna Buffington: A Modern Tragedy
The story of Geynna Buffington shows that these violations have continued in recent times. In 1998, while in a California state prison, Buffington, a Black woman, underwent a cryogenic ablation without her informed consent. This procedure, which she thought was a treatment for an abnormal pap smear, left her unable to have children (Atlanta Black Star).
What is Cryogenic Ablation?
Cryogenic ablation is a medical procedure that uses extreme cold to destroy abnormal tissues (National Cancer Institute). Doctors may use it to treat cancer or other conditions. In Buffington’s case, it was done without her full understanding. The procedure resulted in her infertility. Knowing what this procedure involves helps us understand its serious impact.
Buffington’s fight for justice highlights the barriers survivors face when seeking recognition and compensation. Her application for reparations through California’s program was denied four times. A judge finally ruled in her favor, stating that the lack of informed consent was key in deciding her eligibility (Atlanta Black Star).
The Reparations Program: A Step Towards Justice
In 2021, California created a law to provide reparations for survivors of forced sterilization, setting aside $4.5 million for the program. While this is a positive move, the program faces challenges in finding and compensating survivors.
Understanding Reproductive Terms
Reproductive Oppression: When systems of power control people’s reproductive choices, limiting their freedoms (SisterSong).
Reproductive Justice: The right to have children, not have children, and parent in safe communities (SisterSong).
The majority of applicants who have been denied are Black or African American, showing the unequal impact of forced sterilizations on these communities. This difference highlights the need to address not only past wrongs but also ongoing racism within healthcare and criminal justice systems.
Effectiveness of the Reparations Program
The reparations program has faced hurdles. Only a few of an estimated 600 survivors have been compensated (The Guardian). Finding survivors is hard because many are elderly or lack records. The program has been extended to January 2026 to reach more people. Advocates are working to assist applicants and spread the word.
Legal Accountability for Perpetrators
Despite these abuses, few individuals faced legal consequences for performing forced sterilizations. Many acted under state laws that allowed these practices (American Journal of Public Health). Today, advocates are calling for acknowledgment of these wrongs. Recognizing past abuses is important for healing and justice. It also helps prevent such violations in the future.
Measures to Prevent Future Abuses
California has taken steps to stop forced sterilizations. In 2014, the state banned sterilizations in prisons for birth control unless medically necessary (Los Angeles Times). There are now stricter consent requirements and oversight for medical procedures. These measures aim to protect reproductive rights and ensure informed consent is always obtained.
Public Education Initiatives
Educating the public is vital to prevent these injustices from happening again. Organizations like the California Coalition for Women Prisoners raise awareness about forced sterilizations (California Coalition for Women Prisoners). Schools and museums are starting to include this history in their programs. People can advocate for change and support survivors by learning about the past.
Understanding Systemic Issues
Institutionalized Discrimination: When unfair treatment is part of an organization’s policies or practices (Britannica).
Systemic Racism: Racism embedded in laws and regulations of a society or organization (Brookings Institution).
Ableism: Prejudice against people with disabilities, assuming they are less capable (Anti-Defamation League).
The Road Ahead: Confronting the Legacy of Forced Sterilizations
As California faces its history of forced sterilizations, it’s important to understand that true justice goes beyond financial compensation. It requires a complete approach that includes:
- Acknowledging the full extent of the harm caused by forced sterilizations
- Making systemic changes to prevent future abuses
- Providing comprehensive support services for survivors, including mental health resources and reproductive healthcare
- Educating the public about this dark chapter in history to prevent it from happening again
The story of Geynna Buffington and the ongoing struggles of survivors remind us that the legacy of forced sterilizations is not just in the past. It continues to affect the lives of individuals and communities, calling for our attention and action.
As we move forward, it’s crucial that we not only address the immediate needs of survivors but also work to dismantle the systemic racism and discrimination that allowed these atrocities to happen. Only through such efforts can we hope to create a future where reproductive autonomy is respected and protected for all.
FAQ
Q: What were the forced sterilizations in California?
A: Forced sterilizations in California were state-sanctioned procedures targeting approximately 20,000 individuals, primarily women, under eugenics laws from 1909 to 1979, often based on racist and ableist ideologies.
Q: Who was primarily affected by these sterilizations?
A: The sterilization practices predominantly affected African American, Latina, and Puerto Rican women, as well as individuals with disabilities.
Q: Did forced sterilizations stop after 1979?
A: No, evidence shows that coerced sterilizations continued in California’s state prisons and hospitals well into the 21st century.
Q: What was the case of Geynna Buffington?
A: Geynna Buffington was a Black woman sterilized without informed consent in 1998 while incarcerated. Her struggle for justice highlights ongoing human rights violations faced by survivors.
Q: What is the reparations program for survivors?
A: California enacted a reparations program in 2021, allocating $4.5 million for survivors of forced sterilization, though it faces challenges in reaching and compensating eligible individuals.
Q: What challenges does the reparations program face?
A: The program struggles with identifying survivors, documentation issues, mistrust of government, and procedural denials, particularly affecting Black or African American applicants.
Q: How can the legacy of forced sterilizations be confronted?
A: Addressing this legacy involves acknowledging harm, implementing systemic changes, providing support for survivors, and educating the public to prevent future abuses.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Darius Spearman is a professor of Black Studies at San Diego City College, where he has been teaching since 2007. He is the author of several books, including Between The Color Lines: A History of African Americans on the California Frontier Through 1890. You can visit Darius online at africanelements.org.
