Eugenics Program in California to Sterilize the Latinx Population

Written by Shea Dockan and Edited by Sorina Long

In the twentieth century, the eugenics movement gained momentum as a method to “improve” the human race. From eugenicists’ point of view, human “races” had evolved differently similarly to how animals evolved in Charles Darwin’s model of evolution, where animals unable to survive would die out, leaving more well-adapted animals to reproduce. Eugenicists applied this to humanity, hoping to mimic evolutionary forces by breeding for the most desirable traits while limiting reproduction for people who were considered “undesirable” [1].

By definition, eugenics refers to the manipulation of human reproduction and selective breeding in order to alter heritability of certain characteristics within the human population. It has historically been used by society and government to control reproduction in populations of people who do not fit social norms, including immigrants, racial minorities, disabled peoples, and the working class. 32 states in the United States of America have had a eugenics program, using eugenics policies to control the reproduction of people who deviated from social standards, largely affecting people of color [2]. California was the 3rd state to pass a eugenics program in 1909 [2]. California alone has performed about ⅓ of all sterilizations that have happened in the United States under these eugenics laws—the most active eugenics program in the country [2]. Studies have also found that the California eugenics program was based on racial stereotypes of Latinas/os in order to reduce immigration and also because it was thought Latinas/os were unfit to reproduce [2].

State institutions used to have a requirement of sterilization before being released back into the public, but consent was not a requirement under the law that was passed [4]. It is important to note that often consent was granted by a family member or a legal guardian, but the means of which this consent was obtained were ethically questionable [4].

Most often, people who were sterilized were done so without consent [4]. This historic sterilization of patients who did not receive clear, respectful, and adequate terms and education on the procedure has had long-lasting implications for the BIPOC community, creating mistrust towards the medical and scientific fields. This mistrust prevents already marginalized communities from seeking and receiving necessary healthcare, treatment, and vaccinations.

The California eugenics program ended in the 1960s [4]. While the eugenics program didn’t end until the 1960s, there was a Supreme Court case in 1927- Buck vs.Bell, which upheld Virginia’s sterilization law [4]. It wasn’t until 1979, that a bill was introduced to repeal the law that allowed for sterilization in California, and it was approved [5]. North Carolina and Virginia both have programs to compensate those that were sterilized through the eugenics program, but California does not [4]. The House of Representatives did pass a bill that would make it so that reparations for these eugenics programs wouldn’t count as income and make the survivors eligible for state programs such as Medicaid or Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program [4]. While the sterilization law was repealed nearly 40 years ago, it was found that about 144 women were sterilized not using the proper protocols in prison in California between 2006-2012 [4]. While the legal precedent itself has ended, it does not change the fact that acts of eugenics are continuing. In order to combat this, historical awareness and recognition is vital to prevent such actions from taking place.

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