Reproductive Justice Curriculum: Session Three

Inherent Worth and Dignity

Session 3 Learning Goals

  • Understand reproductive oppression by reflecting on stories of self and others
  • Gain appreciation for intersectional approach of reproductive justice
  • Orient, theologically, towards the Beloved Community and/or identify personal theological grounding for anti-racist justice work

In Preparation

  • Materials: bell or chime
  • Create role-playing profiles on index cards- one for each participant, including:
    • Name
    • Combination of the following characteristics: gender identity, citizenship status, language ability, race, age, educational background, sexual orientation, employment status or job prospects, health, marital/partnered status, family arrangement, etc
    • Challenge, such as “wants a child,” “needs birth control,” “is 3 weeks into an unplanned pregnancy,” “abandoned by partner,” “tested positive for HIV,” “got laid off,” etc.
  • Make copies of Handouts 3:3 (PDF), 3:4 (PDF), 4:1 (PDF), 4:2 (PDF), and extra copies of 1:3 (PDF).

Homework for this Session

Handouts

Session Plan

  1. Chalice Lighting: “Respect” (Aretha Franklin)
  2. Check-In: What was one thing you did for your body this week; what is one thing your body did for you? (15 mins)
  3. Telling Your Story (45 mins)
    Briefly revisit the Covenant from the previous session. Revisit Handout 3:2 (PDF). Ask each person, one at a time with no interruptions, to tell one story from their reproductive life to the group. Give a few moments for reflection before the stories begin.
    If the group feels comfortable with this activity, invite them to reflect aloud on the last question of the front page of Handout 3:2—the impact of their race, gender, socio-economic status, sexual orientation, etc. on the story they shared. If the group feels more tentative, ask them to reflect on this question privately in their journals.
  4. Role Play: Understanding Reproductive Oppressions (25 mins)
    Hand out one index card to each person. Have participants break into small groups and discuss together the options available to the “person” on the card to meet their “challenge.”
    Ask the small groups to share reflections with the whole group. After any general comments are shared, revisit Handout 1:3 (PDF) from Session 1 and ask participants to journal, briefly, on the following questions:
    • How is “economic justice” also “reproductive justice?”
    • How is “immigration justice” also “reproductive justice?”
    • How is LGBTQ equality also an issue of reproductive justice?
    • What is reproductive oppression?

    Distribute Handout 3:3 (PDF) which is recommended reading.

  5. Theological Reflection (20 mins)
    Participants are invited to explore various methods of theological reflection: walking/ movement, small group conversation, journaling/writing, and meditation. They are also invited to bring music and headphones. Indicate the separate place for those who will participate in small group conversations. Distribute Handout 3:4 (PDF). After 20 minutes, ring a bell to call the participants back together.
  6. Debrief and Closing (15 mins)
    Ask participants to share with the group one new idea that struck them during the session.
    Distribute Handouts 4:1 (PDF) and 4:2 (PDF) and ask people to read both before the next session.
    Read “Earth Mother” by Starhawk and extinguish the chalice.