Ethics and Goals
Ethic 1
The Black Reproductive Justice Archive is a social justice initiative. Our database of oral histories, critical essays, and multimedia stories aims to record and raise awareness about the ongoing Black maternal health crisis.
Ethic 2
Our project affirms its commitment to Black humanity. We believe that Black humanity must be effortfully centered during archival and research work to avoid reducing human participants to data points.
Ethic 3
Our project seeks to amplify Black women’s voices. We recognize that Black women have long faced reproductive exploitation at the hands of slave owners, medical professionals, prisons, universities, and the federal government. We, therefore, prioritize their voices as a way to repair centuries-old exploitative practices that disregarded Black women’s agency while mobilizing their wombs for profit and political currency.
Ethic 4
We also recognize that Black motherhood represents more than oppression and grief. We strive to make space for love, joy, pleasure, innovation, and family in our digital record of Black motherhood.
Ethic 5
As a digital repository, the Black Reproductive Justice Archive welcomes use of its content for public knowledge and research purposes. As users interact with archival content, we urge their compliance with the code of ethics contained herein.
Ethic 6
We are dedicated to protecting participants’ right to safety and privacy. We refrain from unconsented sharing/editing and strive to conserve participant narratives with as much accuracy and integrity as possible.
Ethic 7
We strive for transparency in our interview process, informing participants of our project goals and the potential risks associated with public disclosure.
Ethic 8
As a digital repository, the Black Reproductive Justice Archive welcomes use of its content for public knowledge and research purposes. As users interact with archival content, we urge their compliance with the code of ethics contained herein.