Riddick was one of thousands of people secretly sterilized by the state between 1929 and 1974.
Posted on 05/16/2005 4:51:32 AM PDT by KidGlock
State Secret: Thousands Secretly Sterilized
N.C. Woman Among 65,000 Sterilized by Gov't, Often Without Their Knowledge, in Twentieth Century
WINDFALL, N.C., May 15, 2005 — Beneath the surface of this Southern town, with its lush evergreens and winding riverbanks, is a largely forgotten legacy of pain, secrecy, and human indignity.
"My heart still bleeds, and it will forever bleed, because of what had happened to me," local resident Elaine Riddick said.
From the early 1900s to the 1970s, some 65,000 men and women were sterilized in this country, many without their knowledge, as part of a government eugenics program to keep so-called undesirables from reproducing.
"The procedures that were done here were done to poor folks," said Steven Selden, a professor at the University of Maryland. "They were thought to be poor because they had bad genes or bad inheritance, if you will. And so they would be the focus of the sterilization."
Sterilized Without Her Knowledge
Riddick was raped and became pregnant at the age of 13. Social workers labeled her promiscuous and too feeble-minded to ever be a responsible parent. So, after giving birth in 1968, Riddick was sterilized without being told.
She learned the truth years later, when she married and tried to have more children.
"They took so much away from me," Riddick said. "They took away my spirit and my soul."
North Carolina sterilized close to 8,000 women in hospitals across the state.
Even though the practice ended more than 30 years ago, some say the time has come to make amends. North Carolina was one of the first states out of 33 that once practiced sterilization to offer an apology. State Rep. Larry Womble is crafting a bill to provide financial reparations.
Some wonder where the state will get the money. "They say, 'Well, we can't afford it,' " said Womble, a Democrat. "Well, we cannot not afford it."
Elaine Riddick went on to earn a college degree and raise the son she had at 14. He now is an engineering consultant.
"I thank you, God, for giving me my child," she said.
Riddick was one of thousands of people secretly sterilized by the state between 1929 and 1974.
wow pretty scary.
Okay, I may be a little dense here, but how are you sterilized without being told.
Did she have a c-section and they tied her tubes at that time?
If not a c-section, wouldn't it have to be done with a laparoscopy, and wouldn't a person notice those two little incisions on their abdomen?
I may be dense, I'm trying to figure out how it was done without a person's knowledge...maybe I need another cup of coffee.
I doubt that.
There is something insidious when just about every one of these "jewels of knowlege", when 'discovered' by ABC and repeated by idiots just happens to be negative, is used to bolster the notion that we live in an 'evil' nation and it's all Bush's fault.
Give me a break!
Well, well! The programs and policies of Margaret Sanger and Planned Parenthood appear to have been put in practice by North Carolina. Let's not fail to give credit where credit is due.
That's exactly how it's done.
Careful... Don't even go there.
You are taking the bait.
Whoever decided to revive this negative bit of Americana has a purpose, an agenda, and you're playing their game.
Victim, victim, I am a victim. I smell reparations. Victim, victim, I am a victim.
How about suing the doctor instead of the government?
From the early 1900s to the 1970s, some 65,000 men and women were sterilized in this country, many without their knowledge, as part of a government eugenics program to keep so-called undesirables from reproducing
Notice the numbers, then notice the ambiguous term "many."
I forsee a huge cash settlement that will make lawyers rich.
Those who were sterilized may be some money too.
To which, he posited, some will continue to wonder where the state will get the money. "They say, 'Well, we can so cannot not afford it,' Well, we cannot can so cannot not afford it." He went on to say some will still continue to wonder where the state will get the money. "They say, 'Well, we can so cannot can so cannot not afford it,' Well, we cannot can so cannot can so cannot not afford it." He went on, at which time this reporter left the premises and called the local asylum.
By the way, this was being done by liberal "social engineering" types - social workers and liberal OB abortionist mindsets.
laparoscopy back in the 70s?
After they explain that, explain this... "financial reparations".
How do financial reparations help the matter?
Some wonder where the state will get the money. "They say, 'Well, we can't afford it,' " said Womble, a Democrat. "Well, we cannot not afford it."
Typical DIM-response.
With these dummie-DIMs it always comes down to some kind of handout...of other people'$ money.
Why? It's part of this country's history. Admitting as such isn't about an agenda or playing a game.
Amen ...Sanger wanted all blacks sterilized...
The democratic socialists (hey what a good name for a party with their reputation)
Pretty scary stuff. Still goes on in mnay Planned Parenthood centers.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.