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Artifact 1: Historical Policy Brief
Project Context: This piece analyzes the historical implementation of eugenics policies in the United States and their systemic impact on marginalized communities.
The Framework of Eugenics and Institutionalization
Historically, eugenics functioned as a pseudo-science that placed societal value entirely on "normalcy". Operating as a form of segregation, it established a mental hierarchy and sought to control who procreated and who died based on flawed ideas regarding genetic makeup.
The Sieve of Immigration: At the turn of the 20th century, "positive" eugenics utilized stations like Ellis Island as elaborate sieves to control and customize the gene pool.
Systemic Warehousing: Institutions that housed disabled people served as direct tools of eugenics, designed to keep individuals out of the gene pool and out of public sight.
The Human Cost: The harsh reality of this institutionalization is reflected in personal accounts, such as the uncle of scholar Jay Timothy Dolmage, who was institutionalized immediately after birth. He remained there until almost 10 years old, ultimately dying of pneumonia alongside many other children in the facility during a localized outbreak.
The Impact of the Eugenical Sterilization Act in Virginia
In the early 20th century, state sterilization statutes explicitly targeted vulnerable populations to preserve a "purity" idealized by the socioeconomic elite. The data from Virginia illustrates the extreme scale of these policies:
Total Sterilizations: Over 7,000 individuals were sterilized under the Virginia law.
Targeted Demographics: Eligibility applied to individuals confined to state institutions afflicted with hereditary conditions. Of those sterilized, 50% were deemed "mentally ill" and 50% were deemed "mentally deficient".
Duration: While cases existed prior to 1924, the formal Virginia law remained actively enforced for over 50 years.
These practices eventually faced systemic resistance, notably during the Carrie Buck Supreme Court Case, wherein Buck fought her pending sterilization, bringing the racism and discrimination embedded in the eugenics movement to light.
Sources & References
Dolmage, Jay Timothy. Concepts and historical accounts regarding eugenics, institutionalization, and the "steep steps" of academic ableism. Dolmage, J. T. (2017). Academic Ableism: Disability and Higher Education.
Landman, J.H. (1932). Quotations and data regarding the Eugenical Sterilization Act and eligibility requirements for institutionalized individuals (p. 84).
The Carrie Buck Supreme Court Case. Historical legal precedent regarding state-mandated sterilization laws in Virginia. 1927 case Buck v. Bell.