[Miniya_Williams]

in reply to: From Separate to Equal and The 1619 Project #791

Written response #2:

(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?

This response parallels my previous response in the sense that both will be examining systemic racism factors of influence that contribute/have a relationship with African-Americans health related issues today. The stories and research that supported slavery as accounted in The 1619 Project, have a direct correlation to health related issues in the Black community today. On a psychological level, the treatment during enslavement is enough for the body to internalize, embody, and genderationaly transfer. This phenomenon is known as epigenetics, or the passing of trauma. This imprint begins when a child is conceived, is modeled through their environment (socialization), and is underscored when they are introduced to society. Hence the neglected mental health issue that is ever so present in our community today. It’s a very interesting concept actually because for Black people in particular epigenetic appears as an imprint reaching back as far as enslavement. Meaning that trauma still lives in us. All the horided and inconceivable heinous acts have been passed down through our DNA. Also, it is important to note that mental and physical health related issues have a strong tie to one another. Meaning depression and diabetes aren’t too far from one another when it comes to their origins. I completely agree that wealth, income, land ownership and access to credit play a role in healthy vs unhealthy communities. Being established and living the ‘American Dream’ is the optimany of success in this country. For those living it matters of finance and health (access and condition) or less likely to be a factor in their everyday lives. For the have nots, the constant reminder of the unachievable “American Dream” can be daunting itself. Let alone the intersectionality of financial responsibility and personal health (both mental and physical) makes life even more difficult. The 1619 Project also premiered the residuals of financial fallacies and disadvantages. Modern day payday cash stores can be found by the church and liquor store down the street. They are strategically placed in our communities to appear as handouts. However, I can not stress enough the capital gain in which the loans provide these businesses. “Making the richer richer and the poor poorer.” Payday cash stores enforce debt due to their extremely high interest rates. For a single parent in today’s society living paycheck to paycheck the large font and inviting colors of the establishment may look inviting however, this is an example of wealthy people preying on the desperate. Back to my point on the structure of systemic racism, it is not by coincidence that you would not find payday cash stores in the suburbs. This is due to their access to knowledge around finance that the African-American community does not receive.

[Miniya_Williams]

in reply to: From Separate to Equal and The 1619 Project #786

Written response #1:
(d) If one reviews co-morbidities of chronic diseases (hypertension, diabetes, asthma, obesity, etc.) and their associated mortality rates across the 50 United States – to what conclusions can one come? What social-economic determinants are driving those situations?

This question was most appealing to me due to my background in research on vigilance and cumulative biological risk through the University of Michigan Institute for Social Research. Vigilance (or vigilance coping skills) is defined as the thought of as the natural response to and marker of the burden of cultural racism. However it is presented as self correcting in white space. Preparing yourself for what you will do or say in the likelihood that you are pulled over. This appears when you fear to be called out for your blackness in white space. This is experienced as the pressure to be perfect at everything and perform with excellence. All of these are real life examples that many of us can attest to. On a biological, psychological, and psychological level these levels of vigilance all have a major effect. What suffers most, is your health. As it relates to co-morbidities of chronic diseases (hypertension, diabetes, asthma, obesity, etc.) and their associated mortality rates across the United States, I would be remiss if I did not mention race. More specifically, the affects and effects of systemic racism. Affect, refers to the actual structure and strategy used to construct and implement [systemic] racism. This includes a social, cultural, political, and economical uphand for white people (specifically white males, middle class, and Christian) by default, because it was created by them. Effect, refers to the disadvantages and outcomes present in Black and Brown communities. For example the COVID-19 pandemic, disportionality affects Black and Brown people (effect). This can be attributed to food desserts, lack of access to healthcare, environmental racism (i.e incinerators, pollution, Cancer valley), vigilance, lower wages inducing stress, and this list goes on (affect). I confidently can state through my research, the research of other scholars, and my personal narrative that [systemic] racism is just as much a threat to our health as cancer. It is also relevant to note the social-economic determinants of these situations as well. As referenced in The 1619 Project, the lack of healthcare attention and coverage is a major factor in the past and current health state of our community. Cost makes healthcare exclusive and unobtainable still for many. Additionally, on top of costs the historical relationship with healthcare professionals and the Black community has been distrusting. Therefore, this provides another understanding as to why our interaction with healthcare professionals is limited.

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[Miniya_Williams]

in reply to: From Separate to Equal and The 1619 Project #755

(a) While reading the document The 1619 Project, I experienced a variety of emotions that both lifted my spirits and saddened me as well. The themes of resilience and progression uplifted me while the torment, brutalization, and loss left me puzzled and sad. I think what got me most was the timelines of abuse from enslavement to modern-day slavery and all that lies in between. The social, mental, physical, cultural, and economic oppression that has lingered as a residual of greed (capitalism) and malice. As policy began to shift in name and title, oppression still remains and provides further room for improvement. With regard to healthcare one thing that stuck with me the most was the false belief of physical racial differences which were used as justification for enslavement. What was most alarming, yet not surprising was that this idea still existed today. As a psychology major at an HBCU, we often reference the eurocentric textbook which excludes Black voices and experiences. To counteract that we make sure to contribute out of beliefs and experiences in order to have a better understanding of Black mental health from our own lense. In doing so, I learned that clinical psychology and other medical practices still have this mindset of excluding Black people and justifying it. With that being said, the mentality of racial differences still exists today in our medical systems and negates proper treatment. This should serve as a call for Balck healthcare physicians with a passion of not only serving but putting out research that constantly counteracts this false narrative.
(b) The language that was most profound to me was the blatant ignorance that paraded the text when it comes to othering Black bodies. Although this is a topic I am familiar with, seeing it in writing 401 years later the parallels are tragic. It really highlights the progression while illuminating the disparities, false information, and systemic racism that still negatively affect Black people in the United States.

[Miniya_Williams]

in reply to: From Separate to Equal and The 1619 Project #752

From Separate to Equal

a) While viewing the documentary From Separate to Equal, I was pleasantly surprised by the deep enriched history of philanthropy, resilience, and unprecedented vision. I was very much reminded of many different historical examples of our ancestors “making a way out of no way” for the betterment of their community. This was my first introduction to the healthcare aspect of community resilience and I was very intrigued to learn more. My emotions could best be described as excitement and curiosity. Hearing the trials and tribulations and the lack of regard for black bodies (which we still see today) made me sad. However, the grit, creativity, and intelligence of names like Unthank, Thompson, and Perry made me proud. This documentary served as a reminder and personal motivation to continue on this fight for equitable healthcare in low-income/black and brown communities. When I feel like all the odds are against me, I can refer back to the history of health care in Kansas City. The story of General Hospital #2 goes to serve as representation progress and the room for progress that still prevails.

b) The attitudes of pliability that those featured in the documentary displayed was most profound to me. During a time of limitations, blatant disregard, and racial divide it amazed me at the progression of black health care and the community. This all goes back to philanthropy, resilience, and unprecedented vision. One thing mentioned was that segregation allowed black people to strive for flourishment in the medical system and in life. Segregation was said to serve almost as a motivation. I would like to add my own suggested elevations which places segregation as a positive informant for the flourishment of black communities. It allowed us to establish our own self sustaining communities that were made for us and by us. This eliminates racial motivation and divides that we still see today within the medical, food, and other industries that we need to survive. When we had no other options we were able to see what we could really do as a community and the positive effect that we could have despite adversities.

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