In the ever-evolving field of birth work, we are no strangers to passionate discussions, deep introspection, and the pursuit of justice. However, recently, identity politics has taken over doulas’ discussions, threatening to divide us and break doulas’ sisterhood. A post I recently read in an active doulas group has received tens of ‘likes’ and sympathizing comments, caught my attention:

“Doula’s work has been saturated with white supremacy, colonialism, capitalism, and cultural appropriation. The sacredness of this work is being lost right before our eyes.”

OUCH!

These words felt like an indictment of the very work I, and many of us, hold sacred. Pioneer doulas, while predominantly white due to systemic privileges that granted them access to education and resources, were far from being supremacists or colonialists. Instead, they were victims of the same patriarchal obstetric system that devalued traditional midwifery and dismissed the autonomy of ALL birthing individuals. These early birth workers, like many doulas nowadays, were activists who courageously challenged the male-dominated medical establishment, advocating for physiological childbirth and the empowerment of birthing people. Our work sought to reclaim and preserve the sacredness of birth. Far from perpetuating oppression, we work to dismantle it, creating pathways for more inclusive and respectful birth practices.