Systemic And Structural Racism: Definitions, Examples, Health Damages, And Approaches To Dismantling provided an in depth view of racism, as well as the work it will take to dismantle the reality that racism has and does indeed still exist.
Often, racism is seen as overt actions or words towards a specific person that can be clearly defined as racist. However, as the authors explain, often these actions are rooted in a much more complex and harmful forms of racism. Structuralracism is explained as the underlying scaffolding of sytemicracism and refers to the laws, policies, institutional practices, and entrenched norms of society. Systemic racism as implied, places emphasis on systems as a whole such as healthcare, education, criminal justice systems, legal, and political systems. Most often, systemic racism is the term we commonly hear and can be depicted in Gilbert Gee and Annies Ro’s model as the hidden part of an iceberg, with the overt actions and racist slurs being at the tip of the iceberg, or the seen part that is easy for everyone to acknowledge. The danger of systemic racism are especially harmful because it includes systems built on racist ideologies that put people of color at risk of certain health conditions, limit resources that would otherwise promote health, wealth, equitable education opportunities, environmental safety, and fair treatment by the criminal justice system. The ideologies that have been embedded in systemic racism still exist and the said systems cannot build equity among people of color unless completely dismantled.
The authors explain examples of how certain laws that were passed only intended to halt progress of minorities, even after slavery. For example, the Jim Crow Laws were to restrict African Americans from obtaining work, education, and the right to votes. In the 1960s, discrimination became illegal, however inadequate enforcement of this allowed Black people, Indigenous people, and other people of color to still be at a disadvantage. The author goes on to describe examples of systemic racism, where White Supremacy ideologies take precedence. Political disempowerment, segregation, financial practices, such as redlining housing zones to deem black neighborhoods risky for financing, and environmental injustices that include purposely placing waste plants or disposals in minority communities that impose risk to health are all examples of systemic racism. The criminal justice system also plays a big role in systemic racism. Although people of color represent 39 percent of the US population, they make up over 60 percent of incarcerated people. In addition, police violence is a leading cause of death for young Black men in the United States. Approximately 1 in every 1,000 Black men is killed by police. These two statistics stuck out while reading the article because it highlights the injustice that stems from an entire system. The “school-to prison-pipeline” was also mentioned and details how black children exclusively are dealt with with more punishment and force than their white counterparts in school. This brings me to another major point that the author was emphasizing in that systemic racism is particularly harmful because it does affect black and brown people at every age. This is because it involves systems that are set up for minorities to fail, and for generations has continued. If its has always been, then it desensitizes us at times to enact change, and continue the cycle of racism.
The authors continue to go into detail about the casual pathways for health damage. Disenfranchising people of political power prevents them from having someone of political authority who can recognize and act on systemic racism. Also, people of color being placed at an economic disadvantage can prevent ownership of homes, access to good jobs, lower levels of income, and education. Environmental exposures to toxic chemicals and waste also make people of color predisposed to develop health disparities of which are disproportionately higher in communities of color. Finally, race-based unfair treatment can produce stress and anxiety which can greatly influence health outcomes. This especially gives insight to the role of mental health in minority communities and the stigma that surrounds it. If systems are causing mental distress, then minorities are more likely endure the stress and pass it down to generations.
In dismantling the systems, the authors highlight major factors that have to occur in order to build new systems. Enforcement of anti discrimination laws and new legislation are crucial. Also, affirmative action is referred to as fairly considering qualified candidates for jobs with our discrimination based on race. Perhaps the most important strategies of dismantling presented were reducing the damage, and changing white attitudes. Reducing the damages is described as reparations, for example, having college funds for black kids to certainly not erase history, but provide an equitable opportunity for funding education of black students. Changing white attitudes is important in emphasizing the awareness of systems built on white supremacy, and becoming an ally to the people of color communities. The authors emphasize that white people have benefitted from racism, however they can also benefit from living in a society that truly is built to serve all.
I appreciated the authors informative tone of this article. As described, even blatant racist actions are rooted in structural racism. Therefore, a desensitization and acceptance can be dangerous if it is not acknowledged that the problems never went away and still exists. The breakdown and definitions expose the facts that revolve around the injustices that black and brown people experience from the systems. Also, they were able to explain why health disparities are so much higher in people of color who are already at a disadvantage. Genetic predisposition is in fact due to historical traumas and present day racism. Also, there are white people are subconsciously do not see the systemic effects of racism because they have long benefitted from the systems. With this being mentioned, the authors detail that white people must acknowledge, and change attitudes about racism in order for there to be effective change. Ongoing research and conversations have to continue to dismantle, then build an equitable society.
Braveman, P. A., Arkin, E., Proctor, D., Kauh, T., & Holm, N. (2022). Systemic and structural racism: Definitions, examples … – health affairs. Retrieved February 11, 2023, from https://www.healthaffairs.org/doi/10.1377/hlthaff.2021.01394
I really enjoyed reading your blog post about systemic and structural racism. It is really upsetting to see the impact it has had, and continues to have, on minority populations. I like that you included the fact that “although people of color represent 39 percent of the US population, they make up over 60 percent of incarcerated people.” This is huge, and shows that people of color are disproportionately arrested and incarcerated. This is evident in the documentary film, “13th,” directed by Ava DuVernay where it explores the history behind mass incarceration in the United States. It is apparent that our prison system is based on systemic racism, which suppresses minority populations and puts them at a disadvantage in many areas, including health. It is clear that the social determinants of health are the cause of many health disparities among minority groups. For example, you mention that people of color may be exposed to toxic chemicals and waste more so than their white counterparts, which is a part of their built environment. These populations are more likely to live in these types of areas that are not safe and may be linked to increased health problems and worse health outcomes. One reason for living in these toxic environments could be lower cost of living, which also ties into the social determinants of health. Minority populations are more likely to have a lower income and living in these unsafe environments may be their only option. I agree that the attitudes among white people MUST change for us to see improvement and eliminate the racism that has been the basis of many systems in America. I think it will take a lot of effort and open mindedness to see some change. There needs to be changes in the way racism is taught in schools and a different approach in our law and enforcement system. I think increasing spending towards mental health and social services would benefit minority groups considerably.