“Reproductive rights” and “reproductive justice” are phrases used interchangeably, while in fact they are dueling movements amidst a growing power struggle.
The Reproductive Rights Movement is led by mid-upper class white feminists with a narrow agenda, that solely focuses on ending pregnancy through “pro-choice” activism. It has refused to incorporate anti-racism into its framework.
The Reproductive Justice movement is led by radical feminists of color and QTPOC who affirmatively incorporate an antiracist framework. RJ represents those who legally lost the “right to choose” four years after Roe v. Wade and addresses reproductive violences that remain ignored or unimportant by the former movement.
The new Black President of Planned Parenthood, Alexis McGill, has indicated that her vision is to lead the organization into a reproductive justice framework for the first time. This is great news considering the organization’s sordid history! It signals a real ideological shift towards justice.