Telling “Her Story” To Inform History ©
By Deleso A. Alford, J.D., LL.M.
HIS story called you out your name,
in 1951 and beyond… with pseudonyms
like Helen Lane and Helen Larsen
with neither regret nor shame.
Intentionally hiding your human existence in a vial,
as if it were possible to disassociate you from your own cells.
Desperately trying to dim your light and love for the color red-
not for a moment …but for a while.
The plan was to take your cells without leaving a trace behind;
The audacity of them to call you … HeLa
Only to have to recognize that you are our “Mother of Modern Medicine”,
the first human cell line and “Healer” of all mankind.
Yet another story revealing the dehumanization of a Black woman… just waiting to be told.
Past created legal fictions that bore babies akin to human crop and
Present Biotech /Pharmaceutical companies using your cells without permission or consent.
Both taken for value, placed in and on the market to be bought and sold.
HER story placed your cells back into your body to raise a claim for unjust enrichment;
in pursuit of dignity, respect, humanity and the ultimate good.
Incalculable medical advancements for society’s sake…as only the manifestation of justice delayed can now be understood.
