San Francisco’s groundbreaking Abundant Birth Project, designed to address obstetric racism and support pregnant individuals in vulnerable communities, is under threat.
A legal challenge is questioning its legality in providing stipends exclusively to Black and Pacific Islander women.
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The Abundant Birth Project, initiated in June 2021, has provided a $1,000 monthly stipend to 150 pregnant Black and Pacific Islander San Franciscans. The program aims to improve maternal and infant health outcomes by alleviating economic stress during pregnancy.
However, a lawsuit filed by the Californians for Equal Rights Foundation and the American Civil Rights Project alleges that the initiative violates the 14th Amendment’s equal protection clause by exclusively benefiting individuals of specific racial backgrounds.
This legal challenge is part of a larger national effort to challenge racial preferences following a U.S. Supreme Court ruling against race-conscious admissions in colleges and universities.
The lawsuit targets not only the Abundant Birth Project but also other guaranteed-income programs in San Francisco serving artists, transgender individuals, and Black young adults.
Healthcare initiatives aimed at reducing racial disparities, such as scholarships for minority medical students, are also under threat of legal action.
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The litigation against the Abundant Birth Project raises questions about the constitutionality of race-based selection in public programs.
While supporters argue that the program is a crucial response to obstetric racism and health disparities, opponents claim it is discriminatory and unconstitutional.
The legal challenge comes amid a broader conversation about racial preferences and equity in various sectors. The outcomes of such lawsuits could have significant implications for initiatives addressing racial disparities, including those in healthcare, education, and employment.
Proponents of the Abundant Birth Project believe the initiative has a positive impact on vulnerable communities while the opponents assert its potential violation of constitutional principles.
* Original Article:
Conservative Groups Sue To Stop The ‘Abundant Birth Project’ That Gives Black Moms $1000 A Month
