What did James Marion Sim do to Anarcha Westcott and other enslaved women, and why is this problematic?

 

Anarcha Westcott was a young slave who underwent numerous surgeries without anesthesia for a vesico-vaginal fistula, a condition which caused urine to come out of her vagina. 

She underwent approximately 30 surgeries, with the intent of finding a cure for the condition.   Your support is everything just scroll read through and check the cmmts for more historical The man who performed these surgeries was James Marion Sim, a physician who is often referred to as the "father of gynecology". 

However, Sim's use of enslaved women as experimental subjects without their consent and without providing them with anesthesia was a clear violation of their human rights.  Despite the horrific nature of the surgeries that she endured, Anarcha Westcott's resilience and determination were critical to her survival. Without her bravery and strength, it is unlikely that she would have been able to withstand the repeated operations.  

While Sim is often credited with pioneering modern gynecology, it is important to acknowledge the role that enslaved Black women like Westcott played in this history, and to recognize the injustice and harm that they suffered. The story of Anarcha Westcott and the other enslaved women who were used as experimental subjects by James Marion Sim is a painful and difficult one.