They Did the Unthinkable to These Girls | Forced Sterilization of the Relf Sisters

In 1973, Montgomery AL, two young girls were the involuntarily subjected to a horrible practice affecting America's most vulnerable. 12 year old Minnie Lee and 14 year old Mary Alice were of the hundreds of thousands subjected to forced sterilization by the government. And with their bravery from this traumatic ordeal, they would kickstart an important movement in the medical and reproductive rights of black girls and woman In the country.
The Relf Sister's Gofundme: www.gofundme.com/f/the-relf-s...
I’m Petal Palmer and I bring you stories of medical cases and mysteries from around the world.
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SOURCES:
www.splcenter.org/sites/defau...
www.al.com/opinion/2022/06/50...
www.nytimes.com/2022/06/08/ma...
www.nytimes.com/1973/07/02/ar...
voicesofthecivilrightsmovemen...
california-tries-to-find-and-compensate-victims-of-forced-sterilization-program
The_Relf_Sisters
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/African...
TIMESTAMPS:
00:00 - Introduction
03:52 - Natural selection
12:34 - Eugenics in America
15:35 - Sterilization Laws
18:12 - Relf sisters / Montgomery intro
19:48 - Mr. and Mrs. Relf
23:00 - MCAC Clinic
24:43 - Relf sisters case
32:21 - Interview of family
38:51 - Relf v. Weinberger lawsuit
42:40 - Relf sisters now
• 1973 SPECIAL REPORT: "... (Full interview here)
• Relf Sisters Sue for I...
Disclaimer: I’m not a medical professional and nothing in this video is meant to be taken as medical advice. If you’re experiencing any health issues, speak with your physician.
#truecrime #medicalmalpractice #relfsisters

[@Night_Skinned]

This happened to my aunt. Her only "disability" was being a black girl. She was one of the wittiest, most loving, and giving people I knew and she loved children. I used to wonder why she never had kids. I was an adult before I found out why. She said she always wanted kids and a husband but never married because she never found anyone ok with the fact that she wasn't able to bear children. She was the "neighborhood mom" and baby sat, fed, and even housed a few kids who needed help. I pray those selfless acts of love for the kids she didn't birth gave her some solace before she passed. RIP, Auntie Eva 🕊️❤️‍🩹

[@maivaiva1412]

that’s so horrible 😢 bless her memory

[@rosegarden2014]

My great aunt was the same way. Never had kids but was always taking care of kids and you never heard her complain about it! When my dad left my mom and my mom had a nervous breakdown my great aunt retired to care for me❤

[@tenabarnes3269]

The Eugenics movement continues, now they’re trying to convince a generation of children that they were born in the wrong in the wrong bodies and are the opposite gender. This is going to produce a whole generation of sterilized asexual (sex for male to female is too painful and no climax, and sex for female to male change is no feeling or climax) why would an agenda so cruel be pushed? Eugenics starts with poor, disabled, peoples and minorities and progresses to everyone else who is not rich and elite. Now eugenics target all of us.

[@SewardWriter]

That's gruesome. All of this nonsense is gruesome. Auntie Eva sounds like she was an utterly wonderful person who deserved better. May her memory be a blessing.

[@colletterenfro1558]

Bless your aunt Eva's memories. Thank you for sharing her untold story. May she rest in peace .❤

[@ashsmee]

This is still happening to Indigenous women TODAY!

[@rebj5428]

!!!! this

[@SA-ir4ku]

It's also still happening to women with disabilities in Europe.

[@ashsmee]

@@SA-ir4ku I did not know that. That’s disgusting!!!

[@Jayden_gemini]

its still happening to many people theres countries where it still happens

[@person-iw8qj]

i came here to say this! still true at the border as well.

[@ariannahernandez4745]

"Look I'm not mating with a guy who can't reach food I'm sorry" is so funny

[@saturationstation1446]

also a funny way to point out how absurd it is to think animals have the capacity to think lilke that

[@carlaferguson8269]

I thought I was the only one with common sense.

[@ApatheticBlogger]

I'm cracking tf up over it

[@justinejustice_league1857]

Sounds kind of legit though 😂

[@lovelifeloveyourself9870]

I watched a natural documentary that said trees DECIDED to grow flowers to help reproduce.

[@TheRealSlimJunky]

this is so disturbing?? They’ve been FORCED to undergo operation that was done without their knowledge on what happened. This is so sad, my condolences to the Relf sisters and the other victims ❤

[@nataliesharif2167]

Disturbing is an inadequate word. This is CRIMINAL.

[@TheRealSlimJunky]

@@nataliesharif2167 exactly this. Imagine the thoughts of the poor victims who can’t have children now because the government decided they wouldn’t. My love goes out to all of them :(

[@teekolinski491]

@@TheRealSlimJunkythey were poor & couldnt afford them anyway

[@TheRealSlimJunky]

@@teekolinski491 so? Imagine if their financial status had changed in the future and still planned on having kids? How would you feel if you underwent surgery without your consent?

[@teekolinski491]

@@TheRealSlimJunky if someone else was footing the bill for my family, i wouldn't care. That would be fair.

[@brettalston511]

Asking kids why the didnt resist adults is so sickening

[@tashierockz]

White adults at that

[@katelynbrown98]

I think they were asking to get a full picture and to dispel any myths the racist audience.

[@brownsugako7772]

This is proof that our kids don't need to be around them, they treat our children, not like children. I remember once a teacher told my daughter scared her in the 2nd grade, smmfh

[@TSUYOMIchan]

I am autistic and used to work for a horse rescue where the owner treated me terribly in comparison to the other staff. I still tried to help her out by bringing home-cooked food and snacks and getting her groceries because she and her husband were suffering terribly with poor health. The result of this was that she became overly comfortable and talked about her career working as a theatre nurse in forced sterilisations, particularly of autistic people and those with other cognitive disabilities and relished in the satisfaction of her work and her eugenics beliefs. This shook me to my core, but I kept helping her out because I couldn’t watch the horses suffer. The experience made me even more worried about seeking gyno care and surgery I needed than I was before. In the end I had to put it off for years. Sadly, she also destroyed my confidence in working with horses for a long time. Since then I have been repairing my self-image and moving on. I enjoy working with horses again, have left town and my abusers and have come out as trans and queer and am loving myself and life like never before.

[@jernisharichard5032]

So sorry this happened to you. God loves you, we as as a people love you, it's just some people that haven't been taught how to love and respect everyone that does this, they are vain, self-absorbed people with no natural affection. They will be judged. May God bless you and your family. 💖❣️💖

[@ww3196]

I'm so sorry you went through this. That is awful. You were so kind and thoughtful and this lady took advantage of you and was cruel to you and many many others (to say the least).

[@hiendarinenkoray]

oh my god. this is inhumane

[@hiendarinenkoray]

sending love to you. I'm also autistic 💙

[@saturationstation1446]

hate to say this but, you're unlikely to get treated like a human by any well off eurocentric person. its just too deeply ingrained in our culture to dehumanize everyone who is not a "able bodied well off eurocentric"

[@celi8895]

I'm from Germany and a disabled person. The Nazi Agenda was banned years ago, and here we have a national day to remember the horrific crimes of the past. But disabled people still have to listen to abnormal persons "advising" them to better not have children. This hatred, racism and ableism just infuriates me to my core. I appreciate anyone who informes the public about such heinous crimes against humanity, which happen still everywhere around the world.

[@williamparker7025]

So I assume the people having children are fully able to care for and support these children without assistance from the taxpayer correct? And there is no increased genetic risk for those children to be disabled in a way that would make them permanently reliant on the taxpayers assistance?

[@spazzypengin]

Depending on the disability it's really not ableist to discourage reproduction. In some cases it can be fatal to the mother, result in debilitating complications, etc. Not everything is a personal attack, Aktion T4 is no longer a thing

[@SewardWriter]

​@@spazzypengin Stop. Just stop.

[@SewardWriter]

I'm disabled in America, and I hear the same story from so many people here. It's sickening. I'm lucky in that I didn't want kids, but plenty of others get yelled at for daring to take their kids out in public.

[@felicianafullmer8552]

@@williamparker7025take a hike troll!

[@greenkado]

I would love to see a video from you on Henrietta Lacks, a black woman whose cancer cells were unbeknownst to her taken and replicated, and are still used in medical research to this day.

[@irenekay7934]

She died?

[@siouxsie18]

⁠@@irenekay7934yes she’s dead. Her cervical cancer cells still live as a cell line. You can read The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks for more for an idea

[@saraicruz6476]

​@@irenekay7934yes she died

[@HeatherLaraRose]

@@irenekay7934she succumbed to her cancer if I remember correctly. But her cells are special, they are still replicating to this day. Her cells have done so much for cancer research, but does not excuse that her cells were extracted and used for lab experiments without her consent. Also her family did not receive any compensation for the use of her cells until years later

[@nataliesharif2167]

​@@irenekay7934eventually. I believe her descendants are still fighting this injustice today. They should be paid some type of royalties or compensation at the very very least though they deserve much much more.

[@MeowMeow-by8ub]

I suspect that this was happening in Oakland at highland hospital in the 90’s . There was a doctor who was sterilizing POC . I went to get medication. I asked the women what medication they were getting. There were 20 women in line ( all black) one said they were all there for hormones. All had hysterectomies. I got chills and had to keep from crying. Some women were in their 20’s . They all had the same doctor. The entire room started talking to each other. The doctor was fired

[@plesiosaurmilk]

I would not be surprised about Highland doing it.

[@one_ice_cold_chiq]

That's horrifying 😢 can they sue? It doesn't give them that back I know but it sticks it to the doctor/hospital some.

[@MeowMeow-by8ub]

@@one_ice_cold_chiq , I don’t think they will ever put two and two together. They were diagnosed with endometriosis, cancer etc . My mind of course went there because I thought the doctor was a creep.

[@radishfest]

I take supplemental estrogen and absolutely want a hysterectomy to stop the pain, among other things. I've been declined every time because I "might change my mind about wanting kids". ...this absolutely, 100% does NOT sound like other people in my situation. Dear god, I am so sorry. I wonder if the hospital even tried to contact those patients. The paper records might be gone now, if he even kept them right. Thank you for bearing witness. I cannot imagine having to go back and stand in that line, the thought makes me queasy. The entire hospital would feel cursed after experiencing that, wouldn't feel safe there personally. And they serve so many people. Man. Sending love and good thoughts to you and the women in the line.

[@SewardWriter]

​@@radishfest Oh boy, does this sound familiar. (HUG) My periods lasted up to 28 days, and it still took over a decade to get any real help. Are you in a position to seek a second opinion? Or can you get uterine ablation? I say the latter because my ablation went horribly wrong due to uterine abnormalities, and I was forced to get a hysto. It might be worth looking into. Good luck, hon. (HUG)

[@StrawberryPhys]

I can't believe there was NO compensation! We are all people and ALL deserve respect!

[@bre9328]

Yet everyone is against Black American reparations....

[@notnow_stopitagain5800]

@@bre9328While EVERYONE ELSE has RECEIVED & or CONTINUE TO RECEIVE government funds for their maltreatment from harm done to them by government policies…

[@one_ice_cold_chiq]

​@@bre9328thisssssssssss!

[@williamparker7025]

how about the people who took welfare money to support children they couldnt properly care for repay it

[@juned1719]

Black peoples are the only oppressed people in America that didn’t receive reparations or compensation. Native Americans received reparations from the US Govt, Japanese who were in interment camps during WWII received reparations from the US Government, heck even Jews received reparations by the US despite Germany persecuted them. The atrocities committed against black people last longer and continues and the US government refuses to acknowledge it let alone provide compensation/ representations.

[@-chloe-8728]

hearing their interview is heart wrenching. they’re such soft spoken, gentle souls. what was done to them is cruel and unforgivable.

[@scruffy-thejanitor]

💯 First Nations women are still facing this type of horror right now.

[@Mrs.Currie]

Where?? I find it hard to believe.

[@beckyf2845]

No they're not!

[@ange4048]

If this is happening I would genuinely want to know what your source is? I presume you are referring to America…

[@chrisylockhart]

It has been happening in Canada so I imagine it could easily still be happening in the US.

[@saturationstation1446]

depriving people of the necessities of life and just basic respect might as well be considered sterilization. tbh, it could also be considered murder, since most people are put into situations where they are not meant to live through on purpose.

[@BarfRainbow]

This happened to my indigenous step mom. It's STILL haopening to them ontop of being kidnapped... Why wont people TALK about that?

[@Megan_Hook]

This has also happened to migrant women in the process of seeking asylum in the US, within the past 20 years.

[@laurencresap603]

I don't believe you.

[@barbarabunce5688]

There are 31 states plus the District of Columbia that still sterilization laws. It is notable that Hitler "borrowed" American eugenics theory to murder 6 million people.

[@shaleamontanez4591]

​@williamparker7025 I wish you'd say that to hard working immigrants to their face. Talking a lot of shit over the internet makes cowards very comfortable

[@shaleamontanez4591]

​@@laurencresap603just watched this whole video and don't think there's even a chance? Same energy as "well slavery doesn't affect them anyMorE"

[@jessicathomas22717]

@@williamparker7025 you don’t have to be a troll troll

[@CatMom-uw9jl]

I just watched an episode of PBS’ American Experience the other day that talked about eugenics and forced sterilization. They focused on the era from around 1900-1945, and how eugenics laws in the US influenced 1930s Germany. You’ve made an excellent addition that reminds us that forced sterilization didn’t end with WW2.

[@Lucifersfursona]

And importantly, it did not start in 1930s Germany either.

[@masterlightjames950]

Hitler said it himself that America inspired his atrocities.

[@egg_bun_]

Omg same. It was just yesterday, and it autoplayed for me. I wonder who else in the comments has this experience.

[@holdenn5637]

was just recommended this video under this one!!! definitely going to watch next.

[@rorosanchez1538]

These experiments started by doctors during the slave era. Gynecology was a new part of the medical field and of course they need participants. They used Black Slave women because they had this outrageous theory that Black women were incapable of feeling pain. They were experimented on WITHOUT anesthesia of any kind that was available in the 1850s. 🤨😔

[@carnespecter]

im really glad your corner of true crime gives so much focus on the marginalized folks like disabled and black victims. there isnt enough light on them

[@holly-leedickson6414]

Agreed. Thank you so much for your content! You might not reach everyone but for those you do, you’re still helping the world develop compassion and empathy by humanising these cases. That’s the only kind of guided evolution I can get behind.

[@dplum2055]

It’s like they felt they couldn’t just come out and say “I’m pissed! I’m mad! They had no right to alter their bodies!”, when the reporter kept asking how they felt or what they thought about what happened. Sociocultural expectations are what’s at play here and it’s just a way to prevent outspokenness with intangible, manipulative & oppressive barriers.🤬

[@kittycasino29]

It is just absolutely disgusting, what human beings can do to other human beings.

[@aniseeubanks9686]

And on the other end I am a married female at 50 with grown children, who can not get a hysterectomy because I might change my mind. Female health care is a joke. Needed it done at 19 before children but my then boyfriend-later husband told them to wait because I wanted kids. That's right. They decided my health by asking the guy I dated 3 months if we wanted kids. 15 procedures to remove endo growth later I had a son, then they wouldn't remove the organ- because wait he might want more kids. We had our daughter, nope we will put in an iud. We know having kids nearly killed you, and them too...but your husband may want more. We know he said no but he may change his mind. 1 opherectomy, tortion, cyst explode in one ovary, but we will leave other half in case. Don't worry the 10-15 cyst ruptures a year are not that bad. Someone reform this crap please for all women kind!

[@natalieholmes5313]

That's horrible! They are treating you like like breeder with no say on YOUR body! At what point does your opinion matter?

[@aniseeubanks9686]

@@natalieholmes5313 after all of these years we don't get options like having opinions. When my ovary turned itself inside out all Dr. Said was how did you continue to work with what I know was a lot of pain? I told him- was I given another option?

[@taylor3950]

Honestly at this point, maybe your husband needs to be in the room stating that he wants no more children and demanding that you be taken seriously

[@heatherboot79]

Same

[@shaleamontanez4591]

There is (at least my state) a list of doctors who WILL approve you as long as ur 21. My best friend got hers at 21 & it's changed he life in a good way. The amount of involvement men have in women's health are is actually ridiculous

[@user-lc3qz8gy8z]

I just finished the video and I can’t stop crying. This is just so horrible and u can see how afraid this family is. They don’t even make eye contact and tu can tell they’re afraid to “complain”. Just horrific treatment and I KNOW there is a whole lot more stories like this.

[@kaitlynmaria751]

Seriously I got so emotional throughout this video too😣 it’s so heartbreaking that these girls went through this and how traumatic it had to be for them. I can’t even imagine, I don’t understand how anyone could do something so cruel to innocent people.

[@Kiddly3000]

my grandma down in the south had her kidney stolen by a hospital when she went in for a gallbladder surgery back around this same time this happen to these young women so a lot more happen to the poor and African American people back then.

[@Smokeybluetheraccoon]

It's so stupid how the original guy did tests and they didn't get the conclusions he was hoping for, so he just went "well, I'm right anyway"

[@baie9944]

😂😂fr

[@user-lc3qz8gy8z]

I just found this channel two days ago and I have been on a spree of watching ALL the videos!! I absolutely love this woman and will be continuing to watch from now on. This channel will now be my number one go to from now on. I’m so disgusted with the stories and being a healthcare worker for soo many years, I just don’t understand WHY any of this has happened. It is such an amazing thing to have these stories told. We MUST know the truth of our past and present and bring a spotlight to these terrible situations.

[@Iseeyoupookie]

Sammme

[@SakuraAsranArt]

I have a sister with serious intellectual disabilities, she's non-verbal and requires constant supervision in a supported living facility. When she was about 9 or 10 our parents told us that our sister was going to hospital for a surgical procedure and because I hate not knowing things I nagged them until they explained further. My sister underwent a hysterectomy where everything except the ovaries were removed. This was done so that my parents and any other caregivers wouldn't have to deal with my sister having periods after she reached puberty and so that she could never become pregnant. I understand why this probably seemed like the right decision at the time but at the same time I have never being comfortable in my mind about it. There has to be a better way to deal with these sorts of issues, one that doesn't rob people like my sister of any agency in the decision making.

[@Beautybizz28]

No it's done because the centers don't want to deal with pregnancies in those homes brought on by male staff members and this is a fact I used to be a social worker.

[@mariastewart9820]

​@Beautybizz28 just horrible ! 😢 That's like that woman in a coma at the facility that got raped and pregnant by a male lpn ! 😢

[@starlightrai]

Horrible. Everytime I learn more about America’s past, the less respect I feel for my own country

[@brittnyhawk8633]

It's actions of a few that are showed cased. We have alot of good just not recognized. No hate to this yt, I love her channel.

[@abccba4889]

@@brittnyhawk8633Actions of the few that were enabled by the many.

[@brittnyhawk8633]

@abccba4889 so you want to dismissed all the good to other have done based off a few bad apples? What about the countless nurses that treated people without biases or the people who pre and serve food out their own pockets to feed the needy. My point is that there are bad apples in everything but doesn't mean the whole is bad. We see more show light on the bad because people watch that vs the good. This isn't just in America it's world wide. Bad things have been happening as long documenting has been around for us to know about.

[@GenXfrom75]

America isn’t the villain. There were bad people… news flash: that’s universal. But people celebrate Margaret Sanger… she pushed racial and economic eugenics, leading to the Planned Parenthood we see today…. 🙄

[@franciebelcher4594]

Sadly...ditto

[@Jaydieliza]

This is legit horrific… the other thing was last year the uni I’m studying at was the first year they started including people of colour on the slides for the medical school… turns out rashes look really different on different skin tones 😢 the racism is strong in the medical field

[@dollparts85]

This happened to one of my mom's friends. She's a bit slow but she was married and had a child. She didnt comprehend that a baby cant be left alone so she left it alone to go to the bar to look for her husband. So they took the child away and sterilized her. I really dont understand why that man was allowed to marry her to begin with.

[@biomedlib]

Allow me to add that the young women were targets for a man to take advantage of them sexually. My grandmother spoke of this.

[@ava9xx3js9j]

Should people with Down syndrome be able to reproduce?

[@poppycopter]

I hate this. I can only imagine the trauma. I willingly chose to have my tubes tied for my health and I still bawled my eyes out. I cannot imagine it being done without being informed.

[@allthestarsthatshine]

This is beyond despicable on children who couldn't stand up for themselves. Separating them from their parents and giving them a surgery when they thought they were getting shots. It would be so scary to wake up and find out you were operated on.

[@felicityjohnston9276]

it's odd in itself that they even slept there instead of at their home. a shot takes seconds to do they should have been let go with their mom when they had her leave. shots aren't supposed to put you to sleep if it's something for your health. I would have been more mad because they didn't know they weren't going home the same day so no chance to bring clothes and comfort items with them.

[@ErikasDIYLife]

I’m a doctor and I LOVE your videos! All of the research you do is very much appreciated.

[@Sing_A_Rebel_Song]

Eugenics is truly the most terrifying thing to me, mainly because I know that if I was alive even just 60 years ago, it probably would have happened to me and many of my friends. It breaks my heart to imagine other teenagers back then, looking forward to someday becoming parents and having that forcefully ripped away from them 💔

[@rnbsteenstar]

They might have done that to me, too.

[@Askyamama]

They most definitely would’ve tried me… no wonder our grannies ain’t trust doctors sad

[@chocolatezen]

I wish I was sterilized 🤷🏾‍♀️ I’m 41 and I refuse to have sex cuz I simply do not want to have anymore children…I’m not taking birth control and they took away the other method so yea I refuse…if I would’ve known what I know now I would’ve chose to be sterilized before I ever had kids

[@pixality7902]

A quick correction about natural selection. Its not necessarily that long necked giraffes simply chose not to mate with short neck giraffes. The short neck giraffes died because they weren't as suited to the environment or perhaps they didn't have the extra resources required for mating.

[@holoapri4316]

i believe she mentioned both reasons in her video

[@Zzyzzyx]

Sterilization is still done, just by manipulation, not by force.

[@zixenvernon1643]

What do you mean?

[@Zzyzzyx]

@@zixenvernon1643 Puberty blockers and cross-sex hormones given to children and young people

[@757Princess]

2017 An Oklahoma judge gave a lighter prison sentence to Summer Creel after she had a sterilization procedure. Her case was different because she already had children, but She was basically given a reduced prison term for having the sterilization

[@zixenvernon1643]

Okay I read the case and I can confidently say that I don't think she was coerced into sterilization. She wanted to get one before the judge even said they would consider it in her sentencing, and the only one in the case who protested the mother of 7 from getting the procedure is the prosecutor... y'know the person hoping to give her as long of a sense as possible. I don't think the prosecutor has her best interest in mind, and it's pretty disingenuous to compare the two cases. Summer Creel is a grown woman who was given a choice, she is still going to prison for counterfeiting regardless of if she gets sterilized or not, and I can't even find where she was said to get a lighter sentence. She literally pleaded guilty already! The judge simply suggested she might want to stop having kids while doing meth and cocaine since she already lost custody of 6/7 of her kids due to her behavior, and she did it. The defendant, Summer Thyme Creel; more so did what the judge suggested as a show of good faith, and the judge simply recognized that she considered her past actions and current children showed mercy.

[@757Princess]

@@zixenvernon1643 not disgusting at all. Sterilization should it be brought up by anyone else, especially not by a judge over your case. If a judge is making a suggestion of course you would follow the direction for a favorable sentence. Sterilization is no one else’s decision.

[@RedDragon91]

This was also done heavily to native American women. Many couldn't speak the same language and had this done to them during what they thought were routine medical exams. It's disgusting. Most were still little girls when it was done.

[@baie9944]

Whole situation is very disturbing…Just imagine the things we will never hear about!!

[@florabbits]

I haven't watched this yet, but I wanna say I heard stories of forced sterilization in the past years as well, at least here in France. Disabled people are usually targeted, I've heard of women being forced to have abortions, being put on birth control despite their knowledge, or straight up waking up from surgeries and learning they have been sterilized without their consent. It's horrible.

[@vhead612]

Aw she is so shy about having kids. None of ya damn business WHY she wants one child. For the same reason every other woman wants children. That’s so heartbreaking tho. I could see why he would ask that I suppose as she is shy. It’s disgusting she deserved so much better 💔 i hope their procedures didnt work or were reversed. 😢

[@missspell4897]

Yes pedal!!! I thought you were going to skip the 2005 - 2013 sterilizations but what a fool I was. Of course you do your research. I remember when I first read about forced sterilization in regards to Mexican-American women in the 70’s and then I went down the rabbit hole and I sobbed. I cried for those poor women when they were being interviewed. They were children, CHILDREN. And I think about my daughter and how much I love her and someone taking that away from me or someone taking that away from her in the future and I can’t imagine the pain and anger I would feel.

[@jesseniavargas6969]

🌹So good to see you Petal i *pray* you're feeling *great* on this beautiful *Easter* sunday.🙏🏼💝

[@PetalPalmer]

Thank you! I hope you have a wonderful Easter as well ❤️

[@jesseniavargas6969]

@@PetalPalmer Thank you *lovely* Petal what a *blessed* day.❤

[@Phairacrysta]

Unrelated but you’re literally glowing girl and the hair is GIVING I just love u😭😭

[@ZijnShayatanica]

Right?? I love her lip gloss, too.

[@superkroger]

This happened to my grandmother.

[@witchykittyy]

Man, I don’t know if I can watch this one. Eugenics is a different kind of terrifying. This whole thing is absolutely terrifying, and knowing that none of it is really over is just mind blowingly horrifying to me.

[@yms4355]

My sh*t country, Finland, JUST outlawed trans sterilization. And this year, us gays got the right to (get this...) donate blood. I'm a POC and the medical racism here is rampant. I feel so many emotions from learning about this case. Thank you so much for talking about this, Petal!

[@salvolondon]

And they say Finland is the happiest country of the world ….

[@ZijnShayatanica]

​@@salvolondonI mean, at least they finally outlawed it, as opposed to almost everywhere else, lol. Finland is about to get happier.

[@KALL_ME_KAPKAN]

I think they just changed the names but kept the practices. Maybe not forced sterilization but putting financial and societal pressure on poor people to influence their decisions.

[@m.nic.5080]

This is the truth. I just wish we were allowed to call it what it is without getting banned from KZbin.

[@Beautybizz28]

They still do it with the food, hair relaxers etc

[@757Princess]

All of these eugenic beliefs are still prevalent today! I work in a science field and some still believe in eugenic concepts not supported by science.

[@jackiehoward7300]

This is just disgusting. I’m so sorry for anyone who has undergone such horrific abuse. No one has the right to decide whether or not a certain characteristic is undesirable. Thank you Petal for sharing this.

[@RuthZeeck]

This is so horrible. I’m almost halfway through but am going to have to take a break. The cruelty done to these innocent young ladies is beyond disgusting. I’ll come back and finish at some point. Thank you Petal, for bringing light to a situation that is still ongoing in parts of the world.

[@schmimzy]

Another well researched and thorough explanation to a topic I've never seen discussed in popular culture. Of COURSE birth control was developed by experimenting on black women. Thank you for shedding light on a disturbing practice.

[@ZijnShayatanica]

Black women & Latino populations. Puerto Rico was used for a lot of scientific & medical testing w/o the knowledge of the population... They were among the first guinea pigs for birth control & the island of Vieques has a DISPROPORTIONATE amount of cancer cases/genetic defects due to nuclear tests in the area.

[@LilitheAmara]

Genetic bottlenecks are bad for any species historically. There have been several animal species that have gone extinct because the lack of genetic diversity caused them to be less resistant to disease or changing environmental factors. Also, higher intelligence does not necessarily align with fitness. Neanderthal DNA still exists in modern humans, however Homo Sapiens ended up being the last human species to survive. Neanderthals had larger brains and it is possible they had higher intelligence. Also intelligence and education are separate matters, so the thought was pretty bad from the start. Which isn't surprising, because it seems driven by racism and racism drastically impairs your ability to make informed and appropriate decisions in general.

[@claudeyaz]

Yes so many people think things are caused by one's race, instead of looking at the culture as well which is very important... I mean there's a reason why the appalachian hillbilly types we're looking down on, even though they also had white skin, it was their culture that was looked down on It's insane that the whole idea of looking at people like individuals has gone out the window

[@claudeyaz]

Was that 1 of the things that likely caused the down fall of the Neanderthals?the way they had structured their communities? I had heard theories that they would live in smaller communities that were spaced farther apart, while Homo sapiens had larger communities.

[@scruffy-thejanitor]

Trying to explain that 'survival of the fittest' doesn't mean 'survival of who can bench the most' is a mood. Eugenics has always been racist, misogynist, classist pseudoscience used to validate the ruling class' ultimate goal of genoc*de.

[@LilitheAmara]

​@@claudeyaz Race is a silly concept to me because it changes depending on how people want to use the terminology to objectify and/or subjugate other groups of people. What nationalities and skin colors are included in "white" has changed many many times. With something so subjective that is largely meant to affect how people are treated, obvious racism is something that immediately outs someone as lacking reasonable judgement to me.

[@claudeyaz]

@@LilitheAmara I checked out what's going on in the gaming right now? Channels like nerd erotic, or the sides scroller KZbin channel, are exposing how similar to the NGO types of groups that facilitated this eugenic stuff, they are now going through every hobby to push certain narratives... And the gamers have been the ones that fight back against this the most. Whether it's fighting racism or fighting discrimination or fighting terrorism, these groups became requirement to be worked with before video games are allowed to be released.. And these groups would literally change the video games to fall in line with their ideology. And now they are using their power over mainstream media and ordered to paint a completely different narrative of what's going on.. It makes me want to look more into this eugenic stuff, because I wanna see how they package it for the public, and what the public anew about the types of procedures and things that were going on. It's just kind of evil yet consistent how people feel like they have the right over other peoples ideology ,&bodies i&mind...& now they want power over your kids. I feel so bad for all the people affected by These evil decisions, and I hope just like how it took a go fund me to finally get money for those poor sisters.. You gotta cross the board people will realize that we have to directly fund and build different infrastructure, in order to fight against honestly these authoritarian types

[@ladylarry75]

It is appalling how we (society) assume someone's character and/or capability based on things like race, income or education level. This is such a massive injustice. Those poor girls :(

[@isgreen3]

I love the community that you foster on your platform. Almost everyone is respectful in the comments, which is rare on the KZbin hellscape. I love that you’ve created a safe space where people feel comfortable sharing their own experiences in the healthcare system and are met with kindness and support❤

[@chrisylockhart]

Thank you for covering this extremely important topic, as an indigenous, disabled woman. It’s something that sadly lives on today, just under hushed voices, and everyone should know what has been done to people considered then and still now as less than. ❤️

[@ennuiiangel]

thank you for this, petal! sending you lots of love 💖

[@PetalPalmer]

Thank you! You as well ❤️

[@user-gv8bt8tk3l]

1981 was NOT the last time forced sterilization occurred in the U.S. It's just the last one that you know about

[@m.nic.5080]

This. I’m certain that there’s at least one child being forcibly sterilized in the USA as I’m writing this comment.

[@katiekane5247]

​@@m.nic.5080check out the reproductive rates of post vaccine women

[@laurenmulcahy1153]

she said last LEGAL time...

[@user-gv8bt8tk3l]

@@laurenmulcahy1153 That was never legal. It was condoned, conspiratorial, and without justice, but definitely unconstitutional. Also, they were sneaky as house thieves. They knew they were wrong and afraid of getting caught.

[@laurenmulcahy1153]

@@user-gv8bt8tk3l then I'm confused. I thought the supreme court ruled for the sterilisations, making them legal. I'm not saying morally that it was right but I believe in the video she stated the last legal sterilisations was in 1981. Of course sterilisations still occur but they are deemed illegal now? Again I don't think everyone faces justice for committing sterilisation today but by law it's punishable? Feel free to explain if I'm wrong.

[@darknesskingsized8996]

It's been nice to see your transition to healtheier and healthier as videos are uploaded. I'm glad you're doing better 🖤🖤

[@Sam1D28]

During the same time period, Denmark did forceful sterilisation on women (and maybe men?) in/on greenland. And in Sweden, it was done to trans people and sami people. In India it was also a common practice, but I am not so well read on that one. It is horrific no matter where in the world it happens, and the worst part is, that in many places it is still ungoing today.

[@28_futaba]

isn't it still done to trans people ??

[@Sam1D28]

@28_futaba no, it was changed in 2014 iirc and in 2018 those affected by it got compensation. But SD and KD voted against the motion (meaning they still wanted forced sterilisation) and at least SD has said that they haven't changed their mind, if it just "not a question [they] are pursuing at the moment"

[@rebj5428]

as someone who lives in alabama, i’ve never heard of this case and yet i’m absolutely never surprised when i learn more racist history from here. i definitely agree that alabama officials owe the victims of forced sterilization, especially these women, an apology, and definitely compensation of some sort, but with the state of alabama government right now i can’t see that happening anytime soon. :(

[@fire.smok3]

Interesting you put out a video on eugenics, at the moment I'm reading Aldous Huxley's A Brave New World-the author's own family members were closely connected to the eugenics movement, so he had deep knowledge about the topic, and at the beginning even supported it, but later became disillusioned with it. But these concepts of oppression and caste systems made in the name of science inspired that famous dystopian novel of his.

[@GenXfrom75]

This is something I learned about ages ago… but your showing the interviews really brings it home…💔

[@somethingsomething404]

I don’t think we need to be creating children we know will have hard lives, but it’s a hard line to draw and deciding who gets to draw it is even harder

[@757Princess]

Supporting eugenics in 2023, not surprising at all

[@rnbsteenstar]

Only the individual and their dr.

[@mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmaria]

agreed. this is a very nuanced topic. obviously discrimination based on race is wrong plain and simple, but as a woman with a bunch of chronic illnesses i would’ve greatly preferred to not be born. i’m doing the best i can with my life but i’d never wish what i have to deal with on another innocent human being, and my conditions aren’t even “that bad”.

[@28_futaba]

​@@mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmaria eugenics is still eugenics regardless of whether you believe it's in the best interest of others.

[@juniperneff6889]

Wow, the depo shot has been a great bc option for me. I had no idea that it was used experimentally on young black women. That's awful!

[@CatMom-uw9jl]

Gynecology was largely developed by white doctors in the pre-Civil War US south experimenting on enslaved Black women.

[@childofcascadia]

Im tiny. As an older teen I was about 4'9" and 87 lbs. They pushed the depo shot hard in my school in the mid 90s. It was free and no worries about taking birth control or getting pregnant. And it wasnt permanent. So we all got it. I got very sick. It made me go crazy. Like my emotions were out of whack, violent sweating and hot flashes. It also made me go on my period for 8 months straight, it was light though. I went back to the government clinic that gave it to me multiple times trying to get help. They just kinda shrugged told me to take iron pills. I became anemic from losing so much blood. One day I collapsed. I ended up in the hospital. I was severely iron deficient, even with taking iron pills I finally got to see a real gyno. She said I never should have been given it. It should never be given to someone as small as me who has naturally irregular cycles (which I did). I basically got a hormone dose for someone who weighed about 50 lbs more than me. She was able to provide hormone treatment to finally make my period stop. But that shot screwed up my cycles for about 5 years after and now Im going be at higher risk of breast and uterine cancer for the rest of my life because of it. So even that shot can be bad.

[@Bald.Lady.Crone.]

Still happening before I found the amazing MD that I have now, my old doctor would tell me he didn't believe me, that BW don't feel pain. I stopped going to him right away.

[@timetravelingasshole5941]

Seriously?! I am so sorry you experienced that 🫂

[@LizzieMagz]

This is SICK. I'm so sorry..

[@PointlessPeachesII]

All of that education he earned and his stupid a*s believed that smh. I'm glad you left him.

[@elihinze3161]

This is why it makes me so uncomfortable when people joke about needing a permit/license to have kids. Like, eek.

[@katiekane5247]

Why do you think the cases of bad parenting with loss or damage to kids are all over media? It's to encourage the kind of thinking that allowed these practices.

[@sandycheeks1580]

I’m one of those people who believe that. Too many children suffering in silence due to abuse & neglect. Too many beautiful innocent 😇 👦🏾 children👧🏾👦🏼👧🏿👦🏻being RIP 🪦😢by bad parents, parents with defective cancer genes 🧬, foster parents, & child predators. Not everyone deserves the privilege of birthing new people to raise. They are a majority of people who are completely unprepared mentally & financially! No child should suffer being birthed into poverty, abuse, & terminal illness. My beautiful niece was such a child. Born with interstitial lung disease 😢by a teenage mother & father. My sister hid her pregnancy 🤰🏽 & didn’t get the early prenatal care she needed. The Father didn’t even want to by diapers for his terminally ill child. 😒I hear he became a doctor 👨🏽‍⚕️ after she died. I guess the bastard felt her precious life was holding him back from being “great”. It was the most Heartbreaking 💔 6 years of my life watching my niece dying since the day she was born 😢. So no, not everyone deserves to be able to reproduce another human!

[@mfranck1]

You are an awesome speaker and storyteller. I learned a lot. Very fascinating and horrific. Thank you.

[@mar-k7104]

I just want to say thank you for these videos. I’ve only known abt your channel for a handful of days but I have been going through them steadily. I appreciate the dedication and sensitivity you take in handling these cases, and how you not only provide interesting content but bring attention to serious issues such as forced sterilization, a topic a feel strongly for as someone who takes interest in feminist issues. It is also majorly refreshing to hear it being discussed by a woman of color as woc were broadly the most impacted demographic. Your respectful and vulnerable attitude talking about heavy medical topic including your own are very impactful to me and many other of your audience. Take care of yourself and keep up the good work!

[@reesey3816]

there are some points in the explanation of natural selection and eugenics theory that ring incorrect to me in this video. one, i don't think that it's true that animals ONLY mate with others based on desirable physical traits. it is of course always a factor, and sometimes it can be a very big one such as with bird mating rituals, but those are usually involving specific traits that are visually appealling to the other animal. generally, isn't it accepted that natural selection as a process occurs because if an animal is born with an advantageous trait, it is more likely to survive longer than others of its species, and therefore more likely to mate? and two, following on from that, the idea of natural selection doesn't apply to humans not because 'unlike animals, they don't choose others based solely on physical characteristics', but more importantly because we care for people who would not be able to survive naturally/would have a natural disadvantage if we were not an organised civilisation. this is something that other animals also do, but not to the extreme extent we have. eugenics is based in the idea that because we do that to the extent that we do, we're poisoning the gene pool and causing humanity to be weakened. that's why eugenicists advocate for disgusting forced sterilisations like this - to stop those with 'undesirable' traits from being allowed to continue their lineage, with the guise of natural selection 'agreeing' with them backing up this idea. at least, that's what i learned a few years ago. i may be wrong about a few of the nuances here, but i believe that this video is, too. i'm sure that the coverage of the actual case is great!

[@ah-sh9dw]

I don't think it was wrong necessarily, more that it was simplified to the point where it's a bit inaccurate. I think it was an adequate explanation for the video. I get the impression that the goal was to give the context needed to understand what happened with the girls and the general harm of racial medical ab*use, rather than actually get into the ideas people used to justify it.

[@Josee7991]

It blew me away when you said "forced" and "legal" in the same sentence, I was literally left speechless. I have no doubt that humans, all of us, have immense capability for love and compassion and empathy, and because of that it enrages me nowing about all the things we have done to each other just because some people refuse to look beyond their own bubble of endoctrination. Thank you for sharing this case, being from another country I had no idea this had happenned and it at least makes me happy to know that the sisters and others that were affected by this are being heard and supported.

[@zoe_dawg]

This is so horrible. I think it's important to understand. My irish ancestors were treated horribly due to their origin. It's always interesting learning about them but so sad 😥

[@757Princess]

It’s wild to me there has been 22 Irish American presidents

[@hotmess9640]

Systematic racism is different from horrible treatment by people

[@thriftstorepierrotdoll9851]

@@hotmess9640 the irish still experienced systemic oppression. just lesser so in the usa, they didn’t have it as bad as black or native people. i would say having your population purposefully starved is a pretty good example of systemic oppression.

[@thriftstorepierrotdoll9851]

*having your population starved and the many decades of fallout from that

[@noiamnotaweasley3920]

@@hotmess9640Ever seen a picture of an old “no Blacks no Irish” sign? There was definitely systematic racism against the Irish in some places in the US. Irish people weren’t seen as “white” until pretty recently. Plus Irish indentured servants were a thing, and they were treated almost as bad if not the same as Black slaves in many cases.

[@Remnants_]

Thank you for sharing these women’s story & the experiences of so many more.

[@deeveriamoore2205]

Omg thank you for sharing this ❤

[@lisarosa4893]

We appreciate all your hard work and research despite your struggles .you are admired 🎉❤

[@IsVyguy]

Im so happy I found your channel! Love the videos. They are always so extensive and well-made! Much love!

[@BaneHuntress]

The thought that they just thought it was okay to do this to KIDS?! And my friend was telling me that most Gynacology is based on white men just experimenting on black slaves women, so they didnt give a crap about her pain... and tbh, I believe it... I had to have a biopsy of my womb last year. I was told to "Take paracetamol 15 mins before the appointment"... it was the most painful thing I've ever gone through, I couldnt even breathe, then she did it again, when it was all over one of the nurses had the gall to ask. "are you crying because it hurt?"

[@hanakowolf578]

How rude of those people! I'm so sorry you had to go through that awful experience. I nearly cry each time I go for my regular checkups with my gynecologist because of my low pain tolerance. My gyno is great and she relaxes me before and after each appointment. I couldn't imagine being mocked by a nurse or gynecologist after such a procedure! 😢

[@BaneHuntress]

@@hanakowolf578 I dont think she was mocking, more cureus, but had no filter >_< But because of that pracedure they wanted to put in an IUD. I was saying 'No' and crying on 2 appointments, the 2nd time I said it 6 times before I just gave in, then when I got the appointment I just cancled. the 3rd time I went I said "No I just cant." to a new assistant, she patted my knee, ran off, came back and asked if i would get it if they knocked me out. I said yes. I had an epidural, so it was pain free... shame it hurt like hell when it ware off :S

[@Grimlooper]

It’s not the same, but I remember being 16 and getting a root canal without proper anesthesia. I have a high pain tolerance and it sometimes takes more to actually work for me. It is traumatic to experience pain like that when there is nothing you can do. I even had a procedure where they pulled the wrong teeth and it forever changed how my teeth and mouth looked. And my insurance doesn’t cover “cosmetic procedures “ so it won’t fix my teeth or even get me braces. I’m still having dental problems and they never help me, because I requested another prescription for the ibuprofen they gave me and then they started acting like I was a drug addict. The medication wasn’t helping the pain but they didn’t care.

[@BaneHuntress]

@@Grimlooper I've had a wisdome tooth pulled where only half of it was numbed, so I hear you. /hug. But you cant get Ibuprophen in a shop? they are as cheep as paracetamol in the UK and 40p a box.

[@TanyaShaye]

We love & support you, Petal 🌹❤

[@lydiacampbell3829]

when i saw the picture of them post op with the bandages i nearly cried. the pain on their faces is so evident. this never should’ve happened. what disgusting ideologies. thank you for highlighting such important cases.

[@HelenTinnaT]

If you’re up for it, I’d love to see an additional chapter of this horrific history covering the ongoing forced sterilization of women at border detention facilities in America

[@LizzieMagz]

Yes, PLEASE. This is eugenics too.

[@MR-xx3xx]

The work you do is amazing! Thank you! ❤

[@loislois3526]

Now after watching I want to thank you for covering this. So heartbreaking and the 80s was so recent. How horrible but I’ll spend my time day dreaming about how they lived happy and wonderful lives despite the horrors and injustice they faced

[@rorosanchez1538]

I would like to see a video about the Tuskegee experiments. That was horrible for the men and their families alike.

[@Deesama]

Didn't this also happen recently (last 10 yrs) at an Atlanta detention center to undocumented women?... yeah! (Just looked it up) There is a lawsuit now against the doctor!

[@Deesama]

Correction: not in Atlanta, in Ocilla, GA

[@YoWhatUpSussy]

Yep, its still happening to immigrants. Its truly disgusting.

[@1_ATA]

Clicked so fast. Thank you for another informative, heartbreaking, but necessary to know story. Wishing you continued healing 💜

[@drjohnWaters]

Thanks for sharing this story Petal. Really very tragic but so important to tell!

[@Hunnyfrog]

Thank you. This is such an important story that sometimes lacks being told.

[@drosophilamelanogaster3121]

Biotechnology bachelor student here 👋 100 IQ is enough to become even a doctor or scientist if you are passionate, and have access to education and materials. Saddly the 2nd is the biggest issue. Even here, in europe, when college is free, most of my collegues come from rich families that support them financially during whole university period. Nearly everyone has iphones and is living in their own apartment, rent paid by parents. You simply can’t both work and study to exams, it is like full time job already. That’s why education should be free and easly accesible by everyone, so at least it can be easier for those who come from poor families to get to STEM!

[@lauraoneill655]

I had no idea. I can not even imagine living after having my right to have children taken from me without knowing. I really appreciate the hard work you've put into this video and all the ones that came before. I hope you're feeling better. Have a great week

[@milesdishner9936]

your content continues to be incredible time after time, i really admire the amount of research and information

[@ellispedersen4192]

Im happy to see your content find its audience. Its well produced and well researched. Thank you for your insights and additions to the world.

[@KittynFranky7643]

Interesting topic, thanks Petal, something to take to bed. Hope you had a wonderful Easter.

[@PetalPalmer]

Thank you! I hope you had an amazing Easter as well ❤️

[@KittynFranky7643]

@@PetalPalmer Thank you, yes. By the way, you are looking just lovely. God bless.💕🌸✨🇿🇦

[@vikjones6031]

Incredibly educational and imperative to discuss and talk about. Thank you.

[@lisaferguson4266]

Just wow! 💜 Thank you for sharing this story.

[@uwpride]

Thank you for this break down of valuable information. We need to keep the conversation going!

[@ziannotzion]

how’d i know they were alabama! as a native i’ve never heard someone pronounce montgomery like that lol. i absolutely love your videos petal- please keep it up 💓

[@lymarie1974]

Hey petal , ❤❤. This was and is the continuous eugenics 😢.

[@paigecarlson1742]

I had no idea... Thank you for bringing this to light.

[@nicolebrown1927]

Petal, thank you so much for doing this very important and true story. It's hard to hear but it definitely needs to be in our faces and heard.💙

[@zkye8431]

Love this channel, very good work

[@Theworldismyoyster1000]

I love that you covered this❤

[@cicada38]

So vile and gut wrenching. Thank you for covering this part of our history.

[@flowersvineflowers]

Dreaming out loud!!! I wish I could provide to you Queen Petal all the resources and desires you needed and want for your entire life...your work research delivery and nature are a God-given gift...shines so brightest... Black Girl Magic Petal🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉❤keep teaching we NEED you...... Peace Love Good Health and Success

[@angieskidney]

I had been trying to tell people of this history but it sees this is one most people do not want to hear sadly. Thank you for covering this!

[@LeeLenoirSmith]

Thank you for sharing 😢😊