In a groundbreaking documentary that's stirring up significant discourse, Seth Gruber's "The 1916 Project" delves into the controversial origins of Planned Parenthood, founded by Margaret Sanger, and its ties to eugenics, racism, and population control. Released for free streaming on X from October 22 through November 13, 2024, the documentary has already ignited a firestorm of debate.

"The 1916 Project" takes its name from the year Margaret Sanger opened her first birth control clinic in Brooklyn, New York, an act that laid the foundation for what would become Planned Parenthood. The film meticulously explores Sanger's ideologies, which many critics argue were steeped in eugenics, a movement that sought to improve the genetic quality of the human population through selective breeding.

Gruber's documentary doesn't shy away from connecting these historical dots to contemporary issues, suggesting that Sanger's vision has played a role in what some describe as a targeted reduction of minority populations, particularly African Americans. The film uses a combination of historical documentation, expert interviews, and modern-day statistics to argue that Planned Parenthood's placement of clinics in minority neighborhoods was no accident but part of a calculated strategy.

The documentary also touches on Sanger's associations with figures admired by white supremacists, including her praise for Hitler's Germany for its national health program, which included eugenic policies. While Sanger's direct ties to the KKK are often debated for their historical accuracy, her acceptance of an invitation to speak to a women's auxiliary of the KKK in 1926 is well-documented, indicating at least a willingness to engage with such groups for her cause.

Gruber, through "The 1916 Project," frames these historical connections within the broader context of today's cultural and political battles over abortion, contraception, and what he describes as a "culture of death." Critics of the film argue that it simplifies complex historical figures and movements into a narrative that serves a specific ideological agenda. However, supporters see it as a necessary unearthing of truths that have been obscured by time or ignored by mainstream narratives.

"The 1916 Project" invites viewers to reconsider the legacy of Margaret Sanger and the institution she founded, challenging them to think critically about the implications of these historical actions on current societal structures. As the debate continues, one thing is clear: Seth Gruber's documentary has achieved its goal of prompting a deeper examination of history's influence on today's moral and ethical landscapes.