PAGE TITLE WRITING THROUGH HARD TIMES COURTESY OF DENVER PUBLIC LIBRARY AND LIGHTHOUSE WRITERS WORKSHOP SUE BLOSTEN PLAY CREDIT: CAT EVANS support and care Birdie knows is not offered elsewhere. “In my experience with my three children and four pregnancies, I was never offered support,” Birdie explained. “I never knew it existed. I never knew there was lactation support, or that there were classes for childbirth education. There is a gap between the things women of color are educated on in medical offices.” The biggest concern surrounding the topic of Black women and childbirth is that no one is discussing it. “How would I know what we lacked, if I hadn’t become a doula?” Birdie asked. “In healthcare, the way we go through the healthcare system, it’s our normal. We don’t know what isn’t being provided or proposed.” Being pregnant with and then giving birth to a child is expensive. The lack of discussion surrounding the role of a doula and a midwife has the potential to take away from our for-profit medical system, where women choose to have children with support from inside of their own private spaces. It otherwise remains a mystery. According to Birdie, support for pregnant women of color is not typical, and many, many women representing minorities are left in the dark or reliant on systems not set up for them. Birdie explained that many predominantly white organizations that reach out to her after learning about Mama Bird’s, tend to ask if her team can offer services for free. Her initial reaction has been thoughts like, “Wait! You’re the organization that receives funding but then, you ask me to provide free services?” Such requests only perpetuate the idea that it’s okay to step over underserved communities. As Birdie pointed out, too many Black birth workers provide free services because they feel pressured to take on more work to improve their resumes and build on their professional experience. As a result, they get taken advantage of. Recalling her work with predominantly white birth workers, Birdie said, “They’re not doing anything for free. Not one of them is doing a free birth. There’s no sliding scale. I ask women of color working with me why they are doing anything for free – we are for profit. We have to eat. If we are not good, how can we be good for the people we serve?“ According to Birdie, it’s not uncommon for people to exploit minorities working in healthcare. “We are authentic in our purpose; we deserve to be paid for what we do. This is our life. Corporate America isn’t paying for our livelihood. Black birth workers are way underpaid.” Mama Bird offers classes in childbirth education and yoga, as well as various massage classes and wellness circles — all taught by Black women. Black doula support and midwife support are also available. For more information, visit Birdie’s website, mamabirdinc.com. ■ Hey say play yay Dance, Prance perchance Jump, bump Pump the swing Shout and sing Zing a sling Sling a dart Stop and start Laugh and giggle wiggle a finger Feel the sun and Have some fun Smell a rose and linger longer than usual Twirl and teeter catapult and somersault Start and halt Slice the air Break a stare Don’t prepare Hop and skip Give some lip Slip and slide Push aside Skip a rock across the creek Simon says, “Take a stride” “Mother May I” go outside? Hide and seek Spin the bottle Kiss a cheek Squish some sand Build a castle Dig a moat Float a boat Pound a drum Hear it thrum Tag you’re it Never quit Launch a kite Lick a cone and take a bite Hula hoop Spy and snoop Cross a log Catch a frog Step on a crack Break your mother’s back Talk and tease Make a breeze Ride a wave Feel the air Without care Freeze then fly Flee this place Make a face Blow a bubble No toil no trouble Splash the water Shake a branch Smash a pumpkin Toss a ball Think of something Think it up Stir the muck and make a pie Mud in your eye Twiddle your thumbs Shake your bum Enjoy amuse Take a snooze All work and no play can’t rule the day Shout or say The word “Hurray!” Reach to the sky Touch a star Wherever you are Climb a tree Skin your knee Carve on bark Leave your mark Quick sit in a chair If the music isn’t there Then run round and round To the sound The Hard Times Writing Workshop is a collaboration between Denver Public Library and Lighthouse Writers Workshop. It’s open to all members of the public, especially those experiencing homelessness. Each month, the Denver VOICE publishes a selection of writing from these workshops. Virtual workshops: lighthousewriters.org/workshop/denver-public-library-hard-times More writing by these featured poets: writedenver.org June 2022 DENVER VOICE 11
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