NMI Reading Recommendations
/Required Reading List for the Anti-Racism & Anti-Oppression in Midwifery Module:
Birthing Liberation: How Reproductive Justice Can Set Us Free, by Sabia Wade
Katie’s review: Sabia has been a guest facilitator covering our Anti-Racism and Anti-Oppression module and runs Birth Advocacy Doula Trainings. Her new book, Birthing Liberation, is a fantastic call to action outlining the necessity for and practical tips toward realizing collective liberation through birth work. This book is written to speak to Black folks, IPOC folks, and white folks, and utilizes a trauma informed, somatic approach to help us learn how to regulate our systems as we engage in this difficult and essential work. We are excited for you all to read it!
Recommended Reading List for the Gender & Sexuality Module:
Beyond the Gender Binary by Alok V. Menon
Katie’s review: Alok is a poet, activist, and brilliant thought leader. In their book Beyond the Gender Binary, they describe growing up as a gender fluid kid, dig into what the gender binary is and what systems uphold it, and paint a vision of a world where all humans are loved and celebrated in all their diversity. This is a great book to read if you’re struggling to understand gender fluidity and why expansive language and practices are important.
Katie’s review: This book brings together voices of a diverse group of LGBTQAI+ folks to discuss how they view relationships - platonic, sexual, romantic, familial, etc. It’s an excellent exploration of all the ways we relate to people and how our assumptions about relationships impact our lives. This is a great read for anyone exploring their own sexuality, curious about their queer siblings and wanting a more nuanced understanding of sexuality, or interested in understanding and respecting the wide variety of relationships their future clients might have.
Here are a few more books we recommend!
Fumbling Towards Repair, A workbook for Community Accountability Facilitators - Mariame Kaba & Shira Hassan
We Will Not Cancel Us - Adrienne Maree Brown
Vagina Obscura by Rachel Gross
Upcoming book from former NMI Hive Instructor, Marea Goodman - Baby Making for Everybody
