My first time learning about Margaret Sanger was my sophomore year of college, in an Introduction to Disability Studies course. The lesson of the week was “The State: Eugenics and Environmental Justice” and the last name I expected to see within the discussion plan was the creator of birth control. As a woman, birth control is something I am very familiar with and not at all shy about discussing, however, when the topic appears in your disability studies course, it simply doesn’t add up. Nevertheless, that day, I quickly discovered that the same woman who promoted women’s freedom of choice also had an ulterior motive. Birth control wasn’t so inclusive, in fact, Sanger had specific populations in mind when she created her platform for birth control, and her hidden agenda was anything, but progressive.
During the 20th century, when Sanger opened the first birth control clinic in the United States, the social movement of eugenics had taken America by storm and thirty three states had established sterilization programs. These sterilization programs were specifically for people of color, the poor, “feebleminded” or disabled, and criminal individuals within society. In an effort to discourage these communities from procreating and overpopulating, sterilization became a forced practice, in which people had no choice, but to undergo the procedure. Throughout this time, Margaret was considered an advocate for women’s reproductive rights and eugenics. Through her advocacy, she was able to open Planned Parenthood in 1916, but as someone deeply involved in eugenics, a theory historically founded in racism and ableism, the targeted populations she hoped to control were most notably African American women and people with disabilities. According to the article, “ What Margaret Sanger Really Said About Eugenics and Race” by Jennifer Latson. Latson clarifies that “Much of the controversy stems from a 1939 letter in which Sanger outlined her plan to reach out to black leaders — specifically ministers — to help dispel community suspicions about the family planning clinics she was opening in the South.” Sanger’s stated mission was to empower women to make their own reproductive choices. She [heavily focused] her efforts on minority communities, because that was where, due to poverty and limited access to health care, women were especially vulnerable to the effects of unplanned pregnancy. [However, that’s] not to say that Sanger didn’t also make some deeply disturbing statements in support of eugenics, the now-discredited movement, to improve the overall health and fitness of humankind through selective breeding. She did, and very publicly...wrote that, “the most urgent problem today is how to limit and discourage the over-fertility of the mentally and physically defective” (Latson, “Margaret Sanger…”). Based on the following claims, it is evident that Margaret Sanger’s agenda was not completely devious, however, it was strategic. Furthermore, Sanger even worked alongside the infamous reverend Martin Luther King Jr. to advance her agenda of women’s reproductive rights, and dispel notions of racism regarding her platform, but to many people, she was unsuccessful at separating her professional agenda for inclusive women’s health and personal agenda as a eugenics advocate.
Given Sanger’s controversial past and problematic statements within her earlier articles, such as an article titled “A Better Race Through Birth Control,” where she wrote, “Given Birth Control, the unfit will voluntarily eliminate their kind...Birth Control does not mean contraception indiscriminately practiced…[and] It means the release and cultivation of the better elements in our society”, in June 2020, Planned Parenthood decided to remove Sanger’s name from the Manhattan abortion vendor location, according to the article “Remove statues of Margaret Sanger, Planned Parenthood founder tied to eugenics and racism”.
Nowadays, women’s rights and the importance of choice for all women is a huge topic of discussion and fair and plentiful access to contraceptives and birth control is still being fought for. While Planned Parenthood may be a saving grace for many individuals and this article isn’t meant to diminish the overall effort of the organization or the numerous lives it has positively influenced, it is important to acknowledge its history. Oftentimes, the same figures we place on a pedestal within our society or praise for their scientific advancements and forward thinking, are also deeply problematic and unjust in their viewpoints of marginalized communities. Genocide is such a taboo and harsh topic to discuss, but its important to highlight and reframe genocide to showcase how in a lot of ways society and its way of thinking has not changed; now, discrimination and genocide move about and flourish systemically.
*If you’re interested in learning more about Margaret Sanger and the oppositions made towards Planned Parenthood, check out the Fact Sheet*