The A Word

Drawing connections between abortion, forced sterilization, colonization, and assisted reproductive techniques across the globe and dating back to antiquity, this nimble debut from journalist Casillas and illustrator Garay makes a strong case that restricting abortion access has little to do with the rights of the unborn, and everything to do with control and eugenics. The account opens with representations of abortion in pop culture then breaks down medical terms and procedures before tracing the history of abortion restrictions. Among other insights, the authors note that women have long used medicinal plants to end unwanted pregnancies, that the colonial era ushered in new regulations on abortion as governments legislated in favor of increasing the population, and that enslaved women in early 19th-century America had lower birth rates than free women, which concerned those exploiting them. Relatively unrestricted and affordable access to abortion is, the authors argue, a painfully precarious phenomenon. Three “A Brief History of Abortion” chapters provide global context, explaining, for example, that abortion on demand was decriminalized in North Korea in 1950, whereas New Zealand didn’t allow unrestricted abortion until 2020. The authors convey a vast breadth of information with impressive clarity, utilizing bold black-and-white line drawings of representative characters with splashes of a pink spray-paint effect, nodding to the guerilla nature of grassroots action. This cogent and persuasive graphic primer hits home. (Oct.)