The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks, written by Rebecca Skloot, is a pivotal novel in the world of scientific research that has not only shaped science, but society as a whole. From growing up as a poor tobacco farmer, to becoming a part of one of the most essential researches in medical history, Henrietta's story is highlighted for the person she was so more people can become knowledgeable of the life she lived before she became well known for her extraordinary cells that cured many lives. Rebecca Skloots portrays these elements of literature in order to reflect and tell her story in a new light, using many different tactics and techniques that allow the reader to grasp and focus on these small, important details that make all the difference …show more content…
Dating back to the 1840’s, enslaved African American women were experimented on and underwent gynecological procedures that they were either not aware of or did not consent to. Intersectionality intertwines all of these components into one. Ultimately, it is the way in which systems of inequality are formed, whether that be gender, race, class, etc. go hand in hand with one another to create different types of dynamics for an individual or group of people. The baseline of Henrietta's story is simply that her cells were taken without her consent and she was not told what they were doing with said cells, the doctors used these cells beyond looking for the reason why she was having cervical pain. Beneath that baseline, lies a deeper analysis that ties into intersectionality. Henrietta Lacks was not given the full care benefits as she was being treated due to the hospital poorly segregating its patients. Although it was one of the nicest hospitals to be in, they still did not offer African Americans the full care and assistance that were given to white patients. Henrietta's family is not being taken into consideration