RACE & HEALTH (REVISED)

Erica White 9/7/07 EH 468 Essay 1 I read a lot of material dealing with blacks health and racial issues due to my minor in African American studies. The material read had a distinct connection with health amongst blacks and our past (slavery and discrimination). Slavery and discrimination has caused many blacks not to trust health care systems, therefore causing greater illnesses in the community. Our society and the way we live has a direct effect on our health in the black community. In “ Blackout ” Robinson (2004), talks about slavery and African Americans receiving reparation for slave labor. This idea ties in with health in the black community due to the struggle from slavery and the stress and depression passed on from generation to generation causing more serious health conditions. Will reparation help health issues in the black community or cause more problems? I think it could help those that need health care treatment and can not afford it, but in the long run once the money is gone the same problems will reoccur. During slavery and the civil rights movement blacks were exposed to dehumanizing conditions which lead to health issues. As stated in “ An American Health Dilemma ” by W. Michael Byrd and Linda A. Clayton (2000), discrimination in health care facilities caused more health issues amongst blacks. W.E.B. DuBois, “ postscript: Our Health, ” The Crisis (February 1933), stated “Our death rate is without the slightest doubt due to poverty and discrimination.” People living in overcrowded and unsanitary housing and working in hard labor are most likely black and are especially likely to experience serious medical problems. Blacks have more problems with diabetes, heart attacks, and stroke due to the type of conditions they were put into. During slavery blacks had to eat what they were giving and that style of eating has leaked into the way we eat today “soul food.” Soul food is destroying our bodies but its food for the soul. Usually in black communities when soul food is cooked a gathering occurs. This was needed to feed the mind and spirit because the body was being destroyed. I truly believe blacks past struggles has an tremendous effect on our health today.