Beyonce, Dixie Chicks & Birth Work.

Beyonce, Dixie Chicks & Birth Work.

Denise Bolds, MSW CD(DONA) November 8, 2016

My favorite event/video of this year is the 2016 Country Music Awards 50th Anniversary; a unique performance by Beyonce and the Dixie Chicks preforming Beyonce’s song ‘Daddy Lessons.’ The song is very country, sung by a native Texan and accompanied by nationally recognized musicians who are white. Beyonce is proudly African American. The women gave an unforgettable performance that was also uber fun.

I watched this performance and I thought: ‘Wow! If only birth workers can do the same as these women have done.” After all, these four women are more alike than different: besides all being blonde, they are women, wives, sisters and mothers. These women are also daughters with daddies they sing about. All four women stood up and spoke out of the social and political dysfunction taking the backlash from society for being awake; they are pariahs, the Lilith. The she who will no conform, nor be stifled.

This unity was not welcomed by fans of country music, they incited so much negative backlash, the CMA was ‘forced’ to removed ALL mention of the above performance. Very similar to the Egyptians chipping off every mention of Queen Hatshepsut. Country music lovers and followers don’t understand early American history. The origin of country music begins with contribution and influence made by blacks.

As an African American and a certified birth doula, I witness first hand the frequent incidents involving race and culture discrimination to both patient and birth workers of color and culture. A baby is born every minute in this world, there’s more than enough work to go around and empowering women is not just at a birth. 

Imagine white and persons of color and culture in maternal health and birth work working together, harmonizing the same as Beyonce and the Dixie Chicks were able to do so succinctly and joyfully! This is not always the case in the arena of birth work with whites and those of color and culture; there are major disparities directed at both the patient and professional who are of color and culture. Lack of access, equality, representation, respect and transparency has resulted in the maternal health care/profession to be riddled with capitalism and racism guised in ethnocentrism.

Pushing aside all social and historical views, diversity of all races/cultures of womanhood, sisterhood and motherhood can and do work. Women’s Rights and Civil Rights were always wedded together. What is occurring now in America and the world; it is up to women, all women of all races, ethnicities and cultures to come together and sing the song of unity and empowerment in a lasting harmony that will impact future generations. Regardless of what society has ingrained and history has distorted, it is up to women to change birth from a diagnosis to a natural, supported sacred event to celebrate, not capitalize.