Killing the Black Body

The image of the "Welfare Queen" continues to dominate white America's perceptions of black women and to shape our government's policies concerning black women's reproductive decisions. In Killing the Black Body, Dorothy Roberts explodes the myths about black sexuality that underlie widespread racist perceptions and policies, such as the proposed legislation to deny benefits to children born to welfare mothers. She exposes America's systematic abuse of black women's bodies, from the time of slavery through the 1970s, when government programs coerced thousands of poor black women into being sterilized.

Powerfully written, authoritative, and timely, Killing the Black Body will be read and debated for years to come.