Using The Term ‘Birthing People’ Erases Women

During her testimony to the Democratic oversight committee, pro-choice Rep. Cori Bush (D-MO) referred to women as “birthing people.” 

“Every day, Black birthing people and our babies die because our doctors don’t believe our pain. My children almost became a statistic. I almost became a statistic,” Rep. Bush tweeted, sharing a video of her testimony.

“I testified about my experience @OversightDems today,” she continued. “Hear us. Believe us. Because for so long, nobody has.”

Every day, Black birthing people and our babies die because our doctors don’t believe our pain. My children almost became a statistic. I almost became a statistic.

I testified about my experience @OversightDems today.

Hear us. Believe us. Because for so long, nobody has. pic.twitter.com/rExrMXzsSQ

— Congresswoman Cori Bush (@RepCori) May 6, 2021

During her testimony, she recounted two stories of her own difficult pregnancies, alleged that her experiences were indicative of systemic racism, and said that she was committed to protecting “black birthing people.”

“Every day, black women are subjected to harsh and racist treatment during pregnancy and childbirth. Every day black women die because the system denies our humanity. It denies us patient care,” Rep. Bush declared.

“I sit before you today as a single mom, as a nurse, as an activist, and as a Congresswoman, and I am committed to doing the absolute most to protect black mothers, to protect black babies, to protect black birthing people, and to save lives.”

“Birthing people.”

This effort to de-genderize the definitionally-feminine act of giving birth is the latest step in a broader Leftist strategy. In January, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Rep. James McGovern (D-MA) pushed to eliminate “gendered” terms like “father” and “daughter” in the House rules text.

“The proposed changes, which will be voted on shortly after the House enters session, would swap out the words father, mother, son, daughter, brother, sister, uncle, aunt, husband, and wife for the words parent, child, sibling, parent’s sibling, and spouse in a section of the 48-page House rules,” reported The Daily Wire.

And who can forget Rep. Emanuel Cleaver (D-MO) and his bizarre opening prayer for the 117th Congress as guest House chaplain in January?

“And dare I ask, oh Lord, peace even in this chamber now and evermore. We ask it in the name of the monotheistic god, Brahma, and god known by many names by many different faiths,” Rep. Cleaver declared. “Amen and a woman.”

A prayer opening the 117th Congress concluded, “Amen and a woman.”

“Amen” translates to “so be it.” pic.twitter.com/SIGBtgLk5v

— Washington Examiner (@dcexaminer) January 4, 2021

While the push to remove gendered terms is hardly shocking, Democrats have gone one step further with the term “birthing people.” The reason for this is simple: only women can give birth.

The ability to create, protect, and deliver life is a miraculous gift bestowed solely upon women. Men cannot give birth. “People” cannot give birth. Women can give birth.

Trying to ram through terms like “birthing people” erases women.

The fact that it was uttered under the guise of “protecting” mothers — while denying their basic feminine characteristics — makes it all the more despicable.

Ian Haworth is an Editor and Writer for The Daily Wire. Follow him on Twitter at @ighaworth.

The views expressed in this opinion piece are the author’s own and do not necessarily represent those of The Daily Wire.

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