Bodily autonomy is not limited to Roe v. Wade or what is perceived as people who are “deserving.” The criminalization of sex work has long been a weapon to target and oppress us. Since the 1800s, laws and regulations have been designed to criminalize and punish Black bodies.
Research shows that police disproportionately target Black people in their enforcement of laws regarding sex work. This is especially true in large cities, where we are overrepresented, and where police are more likely to conduct raids and arrests in areas with higher Black populations.
The criminalization of sex work also leads to an environment where we are more likely to be punished for engaging in sex work than other racial groups. This can lead to harsher sentences and longer jail sentences.
The prosecution of Black people can also lead to increased economic and social disparities. The criminalization of sex work further marginalizes and discriminates against us, creating an environment where we are less likely to have access to resources and opportunities.
When we push for rights for one, it’s a push for rights for all. This issue is pervasive, racially motivated, and used as another legal loophole to harm and remove autonomy from Black people. Bodily autonomy is imperative for liberation.