Maintaining reproductive health during enslavement was difficult, but that didn't mean it was impossible.

From chewing cotton roots to studying their minstrel cycles, our ancestors had more than a few tricks up their sleeves.

This is two-minute black history.

What you didn't learn in school. When many think about reproductive health during enslavement, sexual abuse, early white

gynecology, and anti-Black prophet comes up.

But what about resistance?

Despite enslaver's beliefs, black women refused to see themselves as objects for reproduction.

Instead, they humanize themselves and prioritize their health.

Many use traditional African methods like medicinal herbs to manage their menstrual cycle

or induce abortions as opposed to European techniques. They innovated new ways to protect themselves as well.

When they could, some couples remain abstinent or develop contraceptives to prevent bringing children into enslavement.

Slaveholders had to ban cotton root after women on plantations began

showing it to pervert or end pregnancies.

Some may have even pretended to be pregnant

to outsmart enslavers and minimize their workloads.

And we can't forget others who struggled with fertility and sought help to be able to bear children.

They were resisting as well, bringing children into the world on their terms because they desired a family to love, not because enslavers would benefit. Though we may not see it in history books, this resistance reminds us that even the most

marginalized practiced agency, empowered.

Enslavement was designed to disempower.

But our ancestors were the authority of their own values and beliefs.

And for centuries since, innovation and advocacy in reproductive health has been and will continue to be our history.

In order to move towards the future, you've got to look to the past.

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