(Audio on BBN) Planned Parenthood employees were hoodwinked by an actor claiming to be a donor who wanted to make a contribution earmarked for Black mothers seeking abortions.
In a tape recorded telephone conversation the Actor told a Planned Parenthood employee, “There’s definitely way too many Black people in Ohio, so I am just trying to do my part.” Even after expressing racist intentions about the donation one Planned Parenthood employee said, “For whatever reason we’ll accept the money.”
The actor was part of a survey conducted in 2007 by The Advocate, a right-to-life student publication that targeted several Planned Parenthood offices. According to The Advocate, employees at surveyed Planned Parenthood offices did not outright reject donation offers targeting Black mothers.
BBN searched for an official statement on Planned Parenthood’s website and could not find one. According to a published news report, a PP spokesperson said, "While the actions of our staff member were unacceptable, it's also unacceptable for opponents of abortion to use racist, deceptive tactics to smear Planned Parenthood." Today, BBN called the national office of Planned Parenthood in New York for further comment, and were told they will get back to us. We’ll let you know if the get back to us.
(BBN Editor's Note) No matter which organization initiated the survey, and no matter how incensed and embarrassed Planned Parenthood, Inc. is, the audio-taped result of the calls reveal a disturbing race-based policy targeting Black people and more than likely Latino’s too. We don’t want to lose sight of what was revealed in the tape recordings.
Transcript of Calls
Planned Parenthood (Ohio) Employee: Lisa Hutton, Administrative Assistant
Ohio donor: There’s definitely way too many Black people in Ohio, so I am just trying to do my part.
PP Rep: OK, whatever.
Ohio donor: Well, Blacks especially need abortions, so that’s what I’m trying to do.
PP Rep: For whatever reason, we’ll accept the money.
Ohio donor: OK. Great, thank you.
Planned Parenthood (Idaho) representative: Autumn Kersey, Director of Development
Idaho donor: The abortion—I can give money specifically for a black baby, that would be the purpose?
PP Rep: Absolutely. If you wanted to designate that your gift be used to help an African-American woman in need, then we would certainly make sure that the gift was earmarked for that purpose.
Idaho donor: Great, because I really faced trouble with affirmative action, and I don’t want my kids to be disadvantaged against black kids. I just had a baby; I want to put it in his name.
PP Rep: Yes, absolutely.
Idaho donor: And we don’t, you know we just think, the less black kids out there the better.
PP Rep: Understandable, understandable.
Idaho donor: Right. I want to protect my son, so he can get into college.
PP Rep: Alright. Excuse my hesitation, this is the first time I’ve had a donor call and make this kind of request, so I’m excited, and want to make sure I don’t leave anything out.
More Information
The Advocate
Planned Parenthood