On May 2, 1927, The US Supreme Court ruled that a state statute permitting forced sterilization of the “unfit” did not violate due process of the 14th Amendment because it was “for the protection and health of the state”. This case, Buck v. Bell, could challenge the Dread Scott decision as the worst decision handed down. The effect of Buck v. Bell was to legitimize sterilization laws in the United States as a whole.
Early in the Twentieth Century, scientists pushed that diseases like epilepsy are hereditary and to remove such diseases these people should be prevented from passing these defects to the next generation. This set of beliefs and practices that try to improve the genetic qualities of human populations is called Eugenics. This belief played a very significant role in the United States from the late 19th century into the mid-20th century.
Like all things that play a significant role, the US eugenic movement had the backing of various corporate foundations like Carnegie, Rockefeller and Kellogg. The logic was why would any “civilize” society allow the “genetically inferior” to procreate. Taken to its logical conclusion, Eugenicists deemed those “unfit” were predominantly the lower classes (Kluchin, Rebecca M. (2009). Fit to Be Tied: Sterilization and Reproductive Rights in America 1950–1980. New Brunswick: Rutgers University Press. pp. 17–20.).
The Dakota Center remains true to being a safe space for those without protection and a sanctuary for those in need. We are committed to helping all those we serve reach their full human potential. The Center is a life affirming, character building, and community connecting organization. Always has been and always will be.
