[Lauren_Dones]

in reply to: From Separate to Equal and The 1619 Project #785

b) Can you draw a distinction between equality & equity with regards to healthcare? How do elements of From Separate to Equal and The1619 Project exacerbate the issues? What are the solutions?

I think it is important to understand that not only do all people deserve access to quality healthcare in an equally distributed way, but it is imperative that leaders in all aspects of healthcare, whether that be from policy making to bedside nursing, should fully represent all members of society on all levels. This is important because in order to ensure that our leaders are advocating for the reform of all issues faced as it pertains to the American healthcare system, we need informed and diverse perspectives. Equity is important in order to level the playing field so that all people can equally benefit from opportunities. From Separate to Equal and The 1619 Project give us examples of how issues of equality and equity are exacerbated by systems put in place that make it extremely hard for black people to not only have a seat at the table, but to also be listened to and considered. For example the film exposed some of the obstacles black doctors had to endure in order to receive the training that they required. Going forward, the solution is to make sure that we not only work to provide wide-spread, equal access to quality healthcare, but that we also remove, through task forks, community liaisons, etc., obstacles previously put in place that make it hard for people to get the most out of their healthcare experience. Lastly, we need to see a national requirement that permanent systems be put in place, which critically evaluate the presence of bias in healthcare.

e) How do the stories and research that supported slavery mentioned in The 1619 Project tie to health related issues for African-Americans today? Do you think matters of wealth, income, land ownership and access to credit play a role in healthy/unhealthy communities? What advantage/disadvantage do payday cash stores play in today’s society?

The stories and research from The 1619 Project broadcast the many obstacles African-Americans face, as well as explain the reasons many mistrust the healthcare system. A few of the articles even explicitly highlight the presence of bias and miseducation of those currently working in the field of medicine on the differences between African-Americans and whites, which originates from a deliberate effort to teach that the white race is superior in many ways. Of course individual economic situations play a role in the health of communities. Healthcare is not free, and at the end of the day it comes down to who is going to pay for it. Those who have to pay out of pocket or simply do not have the funds are going to be deterred from being proactive in seeking out treatment. Ultimately, this does cause low-income communities to be among the sickest. The advertised benefit of payday cash stores is that they provide loan options for those that have little or no credit, and in a short amount of time, a borrower can walk out of a store with a cash advance. Unfortunately, payday cash stores are aware that the majority of their borrowers will be unable to repay their loan in full by the next pay day, and they exploit their borrowers by issuing high interest rates in order to make a large profit. The financially stretched then find themselves in a cycle of debt that often greatly exceeds their original loan.

[Lauren_Dones]

in reply to: From Separate to Equal and The 1619 Project #762

From Seperate to Equal

The overwhelming emotion I got from the “From Separate to Equal” was pride that this was another example of African Americans beating the odds against a system set up to make us fail, and gratitude for the people who had to persevere and fight their way to provide African Americans in Kansas City a space for healing. I also found myself excited for what was coming next as the film progressed and progress was being made, and I was even baffled sometimes as to the justification that was given for the discrimination in healthcare that was taking place. Hearing the testimonies of the people who made it all possible, whether it was through written text or from those closest to them, really added to the telling of the story for me. It was gratifying that their perspectives hadn’t been lost or buried, but that their stories were being deliberately included in order to appreciate all of the work that it took to dismantle segregation in the Kansas City Healthcare System. Watching the video, I wondered how far behind would healthcare be if not for those who pioneered establishing safe spaces for African Americans when they did. The video further proved to me that the lack of minority representation in hospital administration stalls equal opportunity for the best quality of healthcare. One nurse’s explanation of how having to work harder for what they had, ultimately trained them to be better caregivers, encompasses the general attitude of the film. The film is free from bitterness, and instead shows how proud the community is of the perseverance required of those who ultimately made the fully-integrated Truman Medical Center possible.

[Lauren_Dones]

in reply to: From Separate to Equal and The 1619 Project #760

The 1619 Project Response

After reading the 1619 Project I felt thankful that the New York Times took the initiative to expose and explain why African-Americans are the ones who should be credited with founding this nation. However, I also felt sad that there was so much that I was still unaware about, and if I am, then how can I expect those who are not a part of the black community to understand the extent to which discrimination is still abundant and masked by systems that are generations-old. The fact that most people will never be able to fully understand the realities of living in Black America is troubling, but this unique broadcasting gives me hope that through the help of mainstream media, one day all of America’s citizens will see their country for what it actually is. I found it profound just how much history has shown that people want to find reasons to make African-American people appear less than or different from everyone else. Thus, we are continuously punished for our existence out of a desire to prove to themselves that their lives have greater purpose and importance than anyone else’s. I think what plagues America is this lack of desire for true unity; the country is scared of relinquishing control and is scared of the power that could come from the different races fully accepting one another. Therefore, the unapologetic attitude of the storytelling is one of the things I loved most and it sets the precedent of what is expected for future platforms looking to give African Americans a place to share their stories. The magazine effectively showed just how every part of society is plagued by racism from the transit system in Atlanta to Healthcare and more.

• This reply was modified 3 years, 11 months ago by Lauren_Dones.

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