Steps Towards Reproductive Justice: A Middlebury 5k, Poster 61

As part of our final course project for GSFS 329: The Politics of Reproduction course, we organized a 5-kilometer run/walk with the goal of expanding campus-based discussions of reproductive justice. The event, “Steps... [ view full abstract ]

As part of our final course project for GSFS 329: The Politics of Reproduction course, we organized a 5-kilometer run/walk with the goal of expanding campus-based discussions of reproductive justice. The event, “Steps Towards Reproductive Justice,” was held on November 6, 2016. We hoped that by organizing an event that wove the concept of reproductive justice into an unlikely format, people might accidentally engage with new information and intellectual positions. We began the event with a speech on reproductive justice issues. Signs along the course supplied additional facts related to reproductive justice. At the end, we distributed pamphlets containing supplemental information about reproductive justice and participants were able to discuss the issues in a casual setting while decorating reproductive justice-themed T-shirts. Our goal with producing these material items was to extend the conversations inspired by the event beyond the event itself. Topics covered during the 5k and subsequent reception included sex education, racial and class bias, abortion, incarceration, unintended pregnancies, contraceptives, and crisis pregnancy centers. In this presentation, we will share the content and epistemologies that drove the project as well as the challenges and benefits of using this format to inspire academic conversations.