NPR Program Features Discussion on Antiabortion Groups Targeting Blacks in Urban Communities

NPR's "News & Notes" on Friday included a discussion with Lillie Epps, director of Care Net's Urban Initiative, and Loretta Ross, founder of the group Sistersong: Women of Color Reproductive Health Collective, about how some antiabortion groups are increasing outreach toward blacks in urban communities (Corley, "News & Notes," NPR, 3/23). The Los Angeles Times last week examined antiabortion groups that are targeting urban communities that they have "long considered hostile turf" to draw more blacks to support their advocacy. According to CDC statistics, blacks account for 13% of the population in the U.S., and black women make up 37% of women who undergo abortions (Kaiser Daily Women's Health Policy Report, 3/21). In the NPR interview, Epps said crisis pregnancy centers increase the options available to pregnant women in urban communities. Ross said disparities in the number of black women who undergo abortions are caused by "a number of factors," including a need for increased sex education and more "honest conversations about sex" (Chideya, "News & Notes," NPR, 3/23).

Audio of the segment is available online.