Undue Burden: A Black Woman Physician on Being Christian and Pro-abortion in the Reproductive Justice Movement

$19.99

Undue Burden argues for abortion as a moral good using the framework of Reproductive Justice. It lays out why it’s no longer enough for us to say we’re pro-choice, but instead we must proudly proclaim to be pro-abortion.

It's time to reclaim the moral high ground from the anti-abortion movement. Undue Burden utilizes the tools of Reproductive Justice to allow pro-abortion advocates to:

  • Use Christian doctrine to refute extremist Christians

  • Build intersectional coalitions between diverse groups

  • Establish abortion care as necessary healthcare

  • Center the voices of those most affected by anti-abortion laws: Black people, POC, Indigenous people, people with disabilities, LGBTQ+ people, and the economically disadvantaged.

  • Critique why “pro-choice” is no longer the way forward.

  • Examine how and why abortion was criminalized in the first place.

  • Understand the various forces of oppression including racism, ableism, misogyny, white supremacy, heteronormality, and how they intersect with the anti-abortion movement.

DeShawn Taylor, MD MSc (she/hers) is an award-winning Gynecologist, Family Planning Specialist, Gender Affirming Care Provider, and Reproductive Justice Activist, whose work advances reproductive health care access through direct services, education and training, advocacy, and leadership.

Undue Burden argues for abortion as a moral good using the framework of Reproductive Justice. It lays out why it’s no longer enough for us to say we’re pro-choice, but instead we must proudly proclaim to be pro-abortion.

It's time to reclaim the moral high ground from the anti-abortion movement. Undue Burden utilizes the tools of Reproductive Justice to allow pro-abortion advocates to:

  • Use Christian doctrine to refute extremist Christians

  • Build intersectional coalitions between diverse groups

  • Establish abortion care as necessary healthcare

  • Center the voices of those most affected by anti-abortion laws: Black people, POC, Indigenous people, people with disabilities, LGBTQ+ people, and the economically disadvantaged.

  • Critique why “pro-choice” is no longer the way forward.

  • Examine how and why abortion was criminalized in the first place.

  • Understand the various forces of oppression including racism, ableism, misogyny, white supremacy, heteronormality, and how they intersect with the anti-abortion movement.

DeShawn Taylor, MD MSc (she/hers) is an award-winning Gynecologist, Family Planning Specialist, Gender Affirming Care Provider, and Reproductive Justice Activist, whose work advances reproductive health care access through direct services, education and training, advocacy, and leadership.

Editorial Review

“Dr. Deshawn Taylor was divinely inspired to start her own medical practice and equally inspired to write this book. Just as it has been her desire that anyone who comes into her clinic would be blessed, anyone who reads Undue Burden will be blessed. She provides a holistic and integrative approach to reproductive healthcare and calls physicians, faith leaders, and all of us to the important action of bringing integrated reproductive justice approaches to our service in the world. Undue Burden gives readers the theological, sociological, and medical frameworks to challenge the conservative Christian narratives that have oppressed bodily autonomy, disrupted spiritual agency, and damned people to hell in the process. We should all be grateful that Dr. Taylor is no longer silent about being a provider of faith.”
― Rev. Dr. Cari Jackson
Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice

Reader Testimonials

Awesome for beginning abortion activists

“I’m a nursing student interested in reproductive health as my future specialty-labor and delivery. I was blind sided by Roe Vs. Wade. Now I’m an abortion rights activist.
Anyways, I have a ton of reading to do. So I’m picky about what I read. Her book was short-you can read it in one day. As a nursing student, I’m use to reading all day and everyday-LOL. So in comparison it was a short read. I love that in a day I was able to read everything I need for a foundation on reproductive justice. She talks about where we are, where we need to be, and how we get there.
She lays out a variety of ways to get involved and be an advocate for abortion rights wherever you are.”

- Marisa

Clear and compelling call to reimagine how we approach abortion and movement building

Dr. Taylor has given us a gift in sharing her journey and experience as a black woman physician providing abortion and reproductive health care in her community. Through storytelling, she's laid the path for moving from the individualistic pro-choice movement of the past, to a future where community care and reproductive justice framework allows for better health for pregnant people, birthing people, and parents, and greater freedom for all of us.

- Jennifer

Amen corner!

When Dr. Taylor told me she was writing a book, I had no doubt in my mind that it would be anything less than raw and real. This book had me shouting "AMEN" at the turn of each page. As someone who grew up Catholic, has had multiple abortions and worked in abortion clinic, Dr. Taylor's words resonated with me so much. I've read other books on the subject, but this one is different. A Black woman abortion providing activist physician that cares so deeply for the patients she serves and will serve. It doesn't get anymore real than that. I feel like after reading, I know her even more. I really appreciated a look into what it was like on the ground providing care in a hostile state at a time when the decision was reversed. This book is a gift of Dr. Taylor's personal transparent journey that keeps on giving and everyone should read it. Especially my Black community.

- K