Ingrained Inequality: The Black Fight for Representation in Science and Medicine
The experience of the Black academic in science is molded by the constant need to pave new avenues to learn, work, and grow. In seeking opportunities for these academic essentials, a spark of potential does not prove to be enough when there is a clear pattern of who is awarded certain positions and who is not. It does not take much effort to notice that scrolling through the 'Meet Our Team' page of most scientific websites leaves readers with less than a handful of Black names working on what the world absorbs as sources of universal truths. Further perusal of the actual work being done provides an implication that life experience is not as important as a Phd from Princeton when analyzing the effects of air pollution on the mental health of low-income Black workers or the link between low socioeconomic status and childhood health. In the case of the latter, a white Princeton professor who grew up in a wealthy household was showered in international health awards for her analysis on the lives of people she could never fully understand. Not to discount her work, but the thousands of other white professionals who have occupied spaces to make what they think are changes for marginalized groups have had limited to no positive effects on these people. Wild idea: allow Black people the space to change our own communities. Even wilder thought: our experience gives us a better understanding of how to curate root-based solutions if allowed the necessary resources.
A few inherently racist textbooks and three mission trips sponsored by generational wealth does not make you an expert on Black health and its related sciences. It is disheartening to see how poorly research encapsulates our real-life experiences. More than that, it is terribly dangerous. In the context of coronavirus, each age group of Black people are dying from COVID-19 at nearly the same rate as white people who are ten years older. There is always some huge gap between races regarding health conditions. On an even deeper level, the lack of Black people in these medical settings fosters a grand level of discomfort for Black patients who often feel misunderstood - because they are. Our Black women and pregnant non-binary people are dying at the hands of doctors who find it hard to believe when they seek help for pregnancy pains. A tool of destruction, the belief in Black exaggeration is rooted in the racist structures that disallowed a necessary amount of Black health professionals to exist in the first place. Instead of another relatable doctor, Black women are given surface level solutions such as requesting a declination note from the doctor upon medicinal rejection. That will not fix the bigger issue.
The drastic effects of our limited presence on Black lives leaves me with one question: When will it be clear to white people that they cannot save us?
More than a dash of diversity for a few unshakably racist institutions, Black presence in these powerful environments forces actual change in the realms of science and health.
Upholding the barriers to this effective change are factors such as money hungry non-Black materialists, whereas people who are favored by capitalism are given these crucial spots in a society fueled by the thirst for money. Not to mention the double-edged sword of the model minority myth that negatively affects all parties involved - in order to fix this, there needs to be an upliftment of Black intelligence. Also, we continuously rely on academic sources that exclude Black people from their curation as if Forbes and NPR have our best interests at heart. Shifting this narrative requires the redefinition of reputability as having more inclusively holistic perspectives and information.
One may argue that it is not about race in any way and that this is really just up to each individual to apply for positions - in the deepest trenches of devil's advocacy, "Ben Carson did it!" Great, he also has a clear hatred for Black women and he overvalues the wealth he created instead of the lives he could have changed. It is not the same. Majority of anti-capitalist Black minds who prioritize community growth are inherently not provided the same opportunities, so it's not as easy as just applying. My resume could have five times more accolades than most applicants, but as a Black person, I am forced to always question if it is enough.
More than ever, It is important to create space for future generations of hopeful Black scientists and health professionals. As the loud ringing bells of COVID-19 echoed a facade of some leveled playing field for all people, it is pertinent we see the need for Black people in these spaces. If you are non-Black, be a shoulder for your Black peers who are fighting additional battles to get to the same places as you. If you're a Black person reaching for these areas, hold on to the fact that your time is now; hold on to your piece of the bigger puzzle.
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sources' links:
https://scholar.princeton.edu/accase/home
https://www.brookings.edu/blog/up-front/2020/06/16/race-gaps-in-covid-19-deaths-are-even-bigger-than-they-appear/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2571643/pdf/jnma00274-0083.pdf