Bloodlines & Birthrights: Reclaiming the Sacred Through Birth

There’s a scene in Ryan Coogler’s Sinners that lingers in my spirit—a moment where young Sammie, bloodied and weary, returns to his father’s church after surviving a night of terror. As he steps into that sacred space, the weight of his lineage, the echoes of his ancestors, and the complexities of his identity converge. It's not just a return; it's a reckoning.

In that moment, I saw the parallels to birthwork—the sacred act of bringing forth life while carrying the imprints of those who came before. As a full-spectrum doula, I witness how birthing people navigate not only the physical journey of labor but also the emotional and spiritual landscapes shaped by ancestral narratives.

Our ancestors, labeled as "sinners" by oppressive systems, often carried stories of resilience, resistance, and survival. Their experiences, though marred by pain, are imbued with wisdom. In the birthing space, these stories resurface, urging us to acknowledge and honor them.

Birthing becomes an act of ancestral veneration—a reclamation of narratives, a healing of generational wounds, and a celebration of inherited strength. It's where the past meets the present, and new life emerges carrying the legacy of those who paved the way.

In embracing our bloodlines, we affirm our birthrights. We transform the narratives of "sinners" into stories of sanctity, recognizing that every birth is a continuation of a lineage rich with complexity and grace.