#BHM ‘American Queens of Gynaecology: Mothers of Medicine’
#BHM ‘American Queens of Gynaecology: Mothers of Medicine’
He said that they could take it; that they couldn’t feel the pain
Houses of horror built by Dr Simms for corrupt gain
Black bodies hyper-sexualised, then slashed, beaten and slain
In the name of Gynaecology, our women were restrained
He labelled them as breeders, and published his research
Torture was a day job for the doctors from the church
Blacks were unintelligent, erratic and would lurch
Based on such ideologies, a false pre-tense emerged
White women were delicate, and easily distressed
They didn’t reproduce as much, and work was mainly rest
If they had a ‘gyno’ issue, it was instantly addressed
And the care was based on symptoms that rape victims had expressed
Black women were victimised and forcibly misused
They were thought to be promiscuous and always stood accused
White men would have their way and punish them if they refused
But the black men could not intervene; their manhood was abused
Medicine’s a robust frame for understanding bias
A myth that blacks were less human was constructed by liars
Experimental surgeries meant that anyone could try us
It was certified by doctors, who were friends with slave suppliers
The hospitals were built by slaves, who also served as staff
They mastered nursing and midwifery as career paths
In terms of sexual abuse, they did still feel the wrath
But to say that they were lacking brains is worthy of a laugh
Racism became the norm, ’cause Science made it so
Journals from the deep south stated all we need to know
Blacks have ‘superbodies’, they’re inferior and slow
If the Med School needs cadavers, then a slave has got to go
Slave childbirth meant money, and whites became obsessed
It was rare to see any black female moderately dressed
If pregnant, they would dig a hole and lie them on their chest
And then whip their backs until they bled and wonder why they’re stressed
Birthdays peaked in winter, when the crop seasons were done
If the labour force was fertile, the plantation was well-run
An execution date was halted until mama birthed her son
And the orphan, born from rape, will spend his lifetime being shun
Rapes were public knowledge because blacks were unprotected
The surgeries that followed showed that slave health was neglected
Reproductive organs were left damaged and infected
So fertility was snatched away, instead of being corrected
The real Mothers of Medicine were Slaves of Gynaecology
Invasive medical health procedures messed with their Urology
Pioneering research, which caused harm without apology
should today be logged and critiqued in the field of Criminology
A lady named Matilda had a stillborn due to stress
It’s safe to say her owner was entirely unimpressed
The experts were audacious and proceeded to suggest
that she was at fault – and this meant that nobody would invest
Celia – a teenager – killed the man who raped her
They sentenced her to death despite the trauma that had shaped her
And Mary Smith was unconscious when Dr Eve undraped her
She questioned how and when and why her uterus escaped her
STIs and tumours would cause bleeding from strange places
‘Menstruation from the breasts’ was diagnosed in cases
Rose was worth one dollar, as were most elderly faces
Baron slaves without health skills were not retained for their graces
We’d be wrong to think that these brave women never did fight back
Remedies with tree roots was a well-known slave life hack
They did C-sections on one another, nobody would slack
Because white doctors could not be counted on to care for blacks
The field was dominated by men of European descent
A space for sexual deviance and practising torment
‘Sons of the South’ travelled worldwide for medical events
And many hid their black girlfriends because of what that meant
They knew that, biologically, everyone’s the same
But disregarded factual information without shame
The Christian Church turned a blind eye to what life had became
And the Glover Brothers owned plantations like it was a game
The Campbell Bros owned hospitals and they, too, followed suit
They held black female organs like they were forbidden fruit
There was no such thing as harm to slaves, so no chance of lawsuits
It took too long for the USA to give rape culture the boot
The legacies live on today, they still say that we’re strong
Indeed, we are but that’s no way to state where we belong
Experiments with vaccines on black bodies is still wrong
And the ancient fight for civil rights is still a frequent song
Scientific racism is evident today
Black babies’ survival rates are often tucked away
Black men’s dignities are stripped, even when they obey
It is still so gory, still macabre, and riddled with foul play
Blackness is a brick wall which they feel they must take down
Afro hair is threatening, because it is a crown
Climates work around you when your skin colour is brown
There’s a history of black people in every city and town
Stereotypes are formed from how the medics treat our genes
Black females were seen as careless baby boom machines
Today we celebrate the truth and give praise to our queens
So, please, never forget the efforts of our unsung heroines
“Slavery created a space where white people could witness the most horrific acts of sheer brutality and viciousness against other humans, whilst still going to church and kissing their children goodnight.” – Deirdre Cooper Owens
Written By: Alice Ajani is a freelance writer from Liverpool, England, who goes by her alias, Altherhythm (pronounced Al-The-Rhythm). She is a determined pathfinder, with a love for authentic travel and adventure. Stay connected with Alice on Instagram
Header Image: “J. Marion Sims: Gynecological Surgeon,” from “The History of Medicine,” by Robert Thom, circa 1952. Archived at the University of Michigan. All 45 images available on Imgur. Shown is the enslaved woman Anarcha