Episode 16: Unlearning Everyday Racism – Black Maternal Mortality: Interview with Cachet Prescott

Today we are discussing the alarmingly high rate of black women who die from childbirth in the United States today. We are going to be diving into the concept of unlearning. I am honored to have Cachet Prescott on as my guest today. She is the host of the All Things (Un)learned podcast. Cachet explains what unlearning is and then we are going to discuss how everyday racism ties into the disparity of the rate in which black mothers are dying in childbirth, particularly compared to white mothers. 

The goal in the episode today is to understand how we can unlearn everyday racism, specifically when it comes to prenatal and postnatal care in the U.S. so that no more preventable childbirth related deaths ever happen again.  

Cachet Prescott’s superpower lies in making shift happen: shifting thoughts, perspectives, actions, words and habits to move others from where they are to where they want to be. She owns Shift Matters, a thinking and learning space dedicated to helping others be intentional, responsible and accountable for how they show up and move in the world. As the host of the All Things (Un)learned podcast, Cachet examines unlearning as a powerful tool for personal growth and transformation and shares the inspiring unlearning journeys of people from all walks of life.

“Black women are three to four times more likely to experience a pregnancy-related death than white women” National Partnership for Women and Families

“African-American, Native American and Alaska Native women die of pregnancy-related causes at a rate about three times higher than those of white women, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported on Tuesday (May 7, 2019).” NY Times

“Black women’s heightened risk of pregnancy-related death spans income and education levels” National Partnership for Women and Families

In this episode, we discuss: 

• What is unlearning?

• Limiting beliefs

• What does everyday racism mean? What does it look like?

  • Implicit bias and confirmation bias

  • Microaggressions

• Cachet shares with us part of the birth story for two of her daughters

• Be your own health advocate

  • Check out: Aviva Romm’s podcast and website

  • Informed Refusal Form

• Steps forward:

  • Acknowledge that this is happening.

  • Take steps to challenge your own biases and unlearn everyday racism

  • Onus is on healthcare system: educating on implicit bias

  • Commit to teaching your children about race: Cachet has created a free course on this exact topic! Please take this wonderful, educational course: How to Teach Your Kids About Race

  • Support new legislation:

    • Black Maternal Health Momnibus Act 2020

    • Maternal Care Access and Reducing Emergencies (care) ACT

  • Check out #ideservebirthsupport

  • If you are a pregnant mom, please hire a doula!

    • https://www.blackdoulas.org/

    • https://doulamatch.net/

How to get in touch with Cachet: 

• Listen to the All Things (Un)learned podcast

• Instagram: @allthingsunlearned and @cachetprescott

• Facebook: @allthingsunlearned and The Community Group

• Website: http://cachetprescott.com/