How Racism – And Silence – Could Hurt Your Health
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Deep Dive
Why is racism considered a health issue?
Racism can lead to chronic stress, hypervigilance, and trauma, which affect physical and mental health. It can manifest as heart disease, cancer, and other ailments, often due to the cumulative effects of silence and unresolved trauma.
What is the significance of the statistic about Black men being killed by police?
Black men in the U.S. are about 2.5 times more likely to be killed by police than white men, making it one of the top six causes of death for young Black men, ranking just behind heart disease and cancer.
How does silence impact health within Black communities?
Silence about trauma, such as lynchings or police violence, can lead to internalized stress and unresolved pain, contributing to chronic health conditions like heart disease and cancer over time.
What role does epigenetics play in the health effects of racism?
Epigenetics suggests that stress and trauma can alter gene expression, potentially increasing the risk of diseases like cancer and diabetes. This research also indicates that ancestral trauma may have intergenerational health impacts.
What happened in Sikeston, Missouri, in 1942?
A Black man named Cleo Wright was lynched in Sikeston, Missouri, in 1942. This event, while receiving national attention and the first federal investigation into a lynching, ultimately led to no justice, and the story was buried.
How did the 2020 police killing of Denzel Taylor affect Sikeston?
Denzel Taylor, an unarmed Black man, was killed by Sikeston police in 2020. The city settled a wrongful death lawsuit for $2 million, but the incident deepened the community's silence and unresolved trauma related to racism and violence.
What are some ways communities can address the health impacts of racism?
Communities can work to end anti-Black racism, practice culturally competent care in healthcare, and encourage open conversations within families to heal from intergenerational trauma.
What is the Silence in Sikeston documentary and podcast series about?
The Silence in Sikeston series explores how racism, historical violence, and silence in Sikeston, Missouri, have shaped the health and well-being of individuals and the community over generations.
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