Illustration of a Black fairy with Afro textured blonde hair. She is wearing a light green, long sleeved jacket that looks like moth wings. She is surrounded by glowing Luna moths. They are flying at night by the light of the moon surrounded by stars.

The right to not have a child

By Teshika Silver

“Black mamahood can be magical to some, allowing for healing and joy. Whether you’re bringing another life into the world, or you mother others by being a safe place for them to land, motherhood allows for giving deep care and receiving love and appreciation in ways that haven’t been experienced before.”

“These pieces explore both the freedom to not give birth and the freedom to give birth in a safe environment. The magic of that is shared on a much smaller scale here, with creatures and critters that also experience these freedoms. Nature has always found a way to survive and thrive here on Earth, and humans deserve the right to procreate or not as nature always intended. As Black people and people who mother, we should be free to make natural decisions for our own bodies that feel safe and healthy for us.”

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About the Artist:

Teshika Silver has been drawing and creating since she was a child, and making a profession from it almost half her life. Art, creativity, and design is literally all she does, and because of that, the language of art is easy for her to translate visually with stunning results. She creates vivid, engaging visuals that radiate equity, love and justice. Learn more at astratesh.com.

Read the interview with Teshika.