„The Fight For Black Lives“ documentary, directed and produced by University of Chicago Professor Micere Keels, explores how racial stress and systemic racism in healthcare disadvantages the health of Black Americans, by focusing on disproportionate maternal and infant mortality and morbidity. It will screen during Black Maternal Health Week, on April 14th, at the Blue Whiskey International Film Festival, in Elk Grove Village, IL.
The Fight For Black Lives combines personal stories of Black women who were pregnant during the first year of the pandemic and Black Lives Matter uprisings, with archival footage and expert insights to place a spotlight on the systemic injustices baked into America’s healthcare system. It also challenges viewers to confront the historical reluctance of the government to provide adequate healthcare for formerly enslaved people, perpetuating present-day racial health disparities.
The film is a timely reminder of the need for Black Maternal Health Week (MBHW), which is held annually on April 11-17. BMHW is a week-long campaign founded and led by the Black Mamas Matter Alliance to build awareness, activism, and community-building to amplify the voices, perspectives and lived experiences of Black Mamas and birthing people.
The Fight for Black Lives documentary places Black maternal mortality in historical and international context. Even before the pandemic the Black maternal mortality rate in the U.S. was (55 per 100,000 births), which is higher than in developing nations like Tunisia (37 per 100,000) and Jordan (41 per 100,000). As stated by Dr. Monica McLemore, an expert highlighted in the film: “Pregnancy is not a disease, so if you’re having high maternal mortality, there’s either something wrong with your country, your healthcare system, or both.”
Change agents and health experts featured in the film include Professors Monica McLemore of the University of Washington, Laurie Nsiah Jefferson of the University of Massachusetts Boston, Cynthia Boyd of Rush University, Dr. Chelsea Dorsey of the University of Chicago, and others.