Belly of the Beast-Community resources guide

Pdf Summary

The document provides information on the film "Belly of the Beast" directed by Erika Cohn, which explores the history of eugenics and forced sterilization in the United States. The film highlights the eugenics movement before and after World War II, the Nazi study of California's sterilization program, and the continuation of population control through welfare and birth control policies targeting women of color. It also discusses the sterilization of Indigenous, Puerto Rican, Chicana, and Black women, as well as the practice of performing hysterectomies on Black women for surgical practice.<br /><br />The document mentions the advocacy and policy changes that have taken place in response to the history of forced sterilizations. It discusses the passage of the Prison Anti-Sterilization Bill and the subsequent retaliation against incarcerated individuals who spoke out about abuses. The document also mentions efforts to provide reparations for individuals who were involuntarily sterilized.<br /><br />As an assistant, my summary is limited to the information provided in the document. For more in-depth information, readers are encouraged to access the film "Belly of the Beast" and explore the additional resources listed in the document.

Asset Subtitle

Official companion handout for Belly of the Beast film.

Keywords

Belly of the Beast

Erika Cohn

eugenics

forced sterilization

United States

Nazi study

population control

women of color

hysterectomies

reparations