Virginia State Colony for Epileptics and Feebleminded

Virginia State Colony for Epileptics and Feebleminded

In 1927 the Supreme Court of the United States upheld a statute that allowed Virginia to sterilize “mental defectives.” The case, Buck v. Bell centered on Carrie Buck, who was sterilized despite being of average intelligence. Forcible sterilization continued in the Commonwealth until 1979 as a result of that decision, we learn more about the history of that period.

Guests

  • Adam Cohen Author, 'Imbeciles: The Supreme Court, American Eugenics, and the Sterilization of Carrie Buck'

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