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doc·tor (v) 1. to alter or modify the content or appearance of a text; to correct or repair a mistake; to amend 2. to remedy an ailment; to heal; to mend |
Doctoring Dobbs is an online gallery of erasure poems created from the US Supreme Court’s Dobbs decision, which overruled nearly 50 years of federally protected rights to abortion. Rooted in feminist traditions, this project wields art, anthropology, and advocacy to creatively and critically amend each page of the Court’s seismic legal decision. This project aims to make visible the hidden histories and broad-reaching implications of legal infringements on reproductive freedom.
Doctoring describes the process of altering the appearance of a text, as well as the process of remedying an ailment. Doctoring is both a corrective approach to textual inaccuracies and how a skilled practitioner treats a wound. This project “doctors” the Dobbs ruling in both senses of the word: by amending and mending.
“Doctoring” the Dobbs decision is a creative process that amends of each page of the majority's 78-page ruling by subtracting or erasing away words. Removing select words reveals a hidden or alternative message from the remaining text, like the example below.
Doctoring describes the process of altering the appearance of a text, as well as the process of remedying an ailment. Doctoring is both a corrective approach to textual inaccuracies and how a skilled practitioner treats a wound. This project “doctors” the Dobbs ruling in both senses of the word: by amending and mending.
“Doctoring” the Dobbs decision is a creative process that amends of each page of the majority's 78-page ruling by subtracting or erasing away words. Removing select words reveals a hidden or alternative message from the remaining text, like the example below.
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"Doctoring" the Dobbs ruling also aims to mend. This project draws attention to the important role of healing in efforts to realize the ideals of reproductive justice. Conceived originally by women of color activists, reproductive justice is about creating social, legal, and economic conditions that ensure the collective thriving of all. To thrive, they teach that we must abolish harmful systems and mend their enduring wounds. Inspired by the vision of these skilled healer-advocates for reproductive justice, Doctoring Dobbs takes up their call to amend and mend by contributing to the reckoning of our nation’s legacies that undermine our collective ability to thrive.
Informed by feminist approaches to the multifariousness of reproductive politics, Doctoring Dobbs erases to reveal, interrogate, and educate about the immeasurable implications of the Court’s ruling, especially for socially marginalized people.
The gallery is in development (www.doctoringdobbs.com) and will launch on June 24, 2023--the year anniversary of the Dobbs ruling.
Informed by feminist approaches to the multifariousness of reproductive politics, Doctoring Dobbs erases to reveal, interrogate, and educate about the immeasurable implications of the Court’s ruling, especially for socially marginalized people.
The gallery is in development (www.doctoringdobbs.com) and will launch on June 24, 2023--the year anniversary of the Dobbs ruling.