EP38: Racha Lawler on Black Midwifery and Systemic Racism in Health Care

What Racha Shares: -her personal story as a black midwife in the United States, her pilgrimage to South Africa and initiation into becoming a Sangoma -her insights about the systemic racism within health care -the challenges women of colour are facing on their path to becoming midwives -the sacrifices and decisions she has made to make her career work as a single mother -the need for 'passing the baton' and creating a 'seat at the table' for black women to affect change within midwifery and beyond What You'll Hear: -her pilgrimage to South Africa and her initiation into becoming a Sangoma (healer) -her journey as a rite of passage -the revelation she had after returning from black majority population in South Africa to a white majority in the U.S -the shift in the clients who are now hiring her and the connections they are making -the current state of black midwifery & systemic racism in health care -the barriers of becoming a midwife in America as a black woman -meeting the needs of her community with worst birth/health statistics -her commitment to taking on black student midwives & why she doesn't charge for preceptorship -people in power need to relinquish some of their power for real change -reparations & midwifery -racism in midwifery (particularly in the Southern states) and how midwifery is still illegal in the some states -why Racha uses her privilege to speak up for apprentice and beginner midwives -why she chooses to be licensed -the lack of support and abuse women of color are facing during their apprenticeships as midwives -single mothering and the importance of leaning on your community -building awareness, strategizing for change outside of social media and how to continue the conversation