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I am a 67-year-old white woman who has finally learned about the impact of systemic racism on health care! Data shows that when a white woman of my age, or any age, goes to see a doctor we will be treated differently than a woman of color.
I always assumed that when I spoke to a doctor she would hear my words in the same way as anyone else, but we all know what the word “assume” means … Until a few years ago I assumed that all women of any age, color or ethnicity would be looked at in the same way, their words would be heard in the same way, and their methods of treatment would be similar. But that is just not so, it is an illusion of white privilege to think this way.
More:Fayetteville anti-racism group re-starts community forums on race
We, as whites, often say, why talk about race, why have those uncomfortable conversations, I am not affected by racial issues, etc. Well, yes you are. Disparities in healthcare, housing, education and employment affect everyone.
Systemic racism is the bedrock of our history and until we, as whites realize it, nothing is going to change. It took me about 60 years until I learned this by taking a racial equity training course, reading books by authors who do not look like me, broadening my scope of friends and my community by helping migrants, refugees and getting to know the stories and histories of folks of color.
On Monday, Organizing Against Racism: Cumberland County will present “Health care should not be Black and White” at the Fuller Recreation Center 6627 Bunce Road from 6 to 8 p.m. It will be a chance for all of us, especially those who don’t view this as a problem, to come together and learn from an esteemed panel of presenters. To register, visit this link.
Dr. Jennifer Green, director of the Cumberland County Health Department, will share statistics on health inequities for Blacks in our county and the impact of COVID-19. Angela Tatum Malloy, doula, founder and CEO of Momma’s Village, will share her stories of maternal health concerns of African-American women. Dr. Naveed Aziz, family care physician, will speak on the impact in Cumberland County on the lack of Medicaid funding and how receiving Medicaid funding will improve the health of browns and blacks.
In our program you will learn that if you are a Black person in the United States you are three to four times more likely to die in child birth irrespective of education or income. Look up the story of tennis great Serena Williams, who almost died after the birth of her daughter. If someone like Serena Williams, who has more financial resources and name recognition than any of us can imagine, had to beg and plead with doctors to notice her declining health after the birth of her daughter than it can happen to any woman of color.
There is a fallacy that Black people have a higher pain tolerance and this is just not true. We are all the same! When I go to a doctor and complain of abdominal pain or chest pain, I will be treated completely differently than a person of color complaining of the same symptoms. This is shocking!
And if it doesn’t shock you than you need to acknowledge your inherent prejudice and dive deep into your soul because poor health in one person affects every member of society. We all want to lead healthy, happy lives, but we cannot do that when there is no equity in health care, housing, education and justice.
Please come out and learn how disparities in health care are happening right here in Cumberland County. And if coming to a discussion on race makes you uncomfortable, or you don’t want to “rock the boat,” then YOU need to be there.
One tug on the human web of life affects all of us. Let’s pull together to bring positive change to the lives of people of color here in Cumberland County.
Lisa Lofthouse is president of Organizing Against Racism in Cumberland County.
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