Afro-Latina Actress Dascha Polanco Lends Her Support for Reproductive Rights
Afro-Latina actress and Orange Is the New Black star Dascha Polanco is one of seven actresses and activists who recently lent their support to the Center for Reproductive Rights for the “Draw the Line” monologue campaign. The campaign is a series of video vignettes inspired by real stories submitted by American women about access to abortion care.
The Draw The Line Monologues:
Polanco, along with Elizabeth Banks, Amy Brenneman, Mercedes Mason, Mary McCormack, Retta, and Bellamy Young, provided their talents to not only voice their support of the cause, but also to raise awareness of the Whole Woman’s Health v. Hellerstedt case. The case is currently before the Supreme Court and will determine whether Texas can shut down nearly all abortion care providers in the state, placing numerous women at risk of serious harm.
According to the National Latina Institute For Reproductive Health, access to safe and affordable abortion services remain a challenge for Latinas, especially in the state of Texas. A recent study found that between 100,000 and 240,000 women in Texas, mostly Latinas, have carried out self-induced abortions at least once. A Texas University study, published last November, states that there is a worrying trend among low-income women, largely Latina, who are forced to self-abort due to the absence of economic resources and limited access to abortion clinics.
Here is Afro-Latina actress and Orange Is the New Black star Dascha Polanco telling Kayleigh’s story:
You can see the entire campaign on the Center for Reproductive Rights YouTube channel.
Photo credit: Draw The Line
More on blacktinamagazine.com