Something that has left me frustrated lately is how society is still using the G-word, a slur that is racist toward Roma and Sinti people, both of whom are different ethnic groups within the larger Romani people who share similar roots. I learned in my genocide class at high school that this word was offensive and when people mention that Roma and Sinti people were victims of the Holocaust in addition to Jewish people and …
Ever wonder about when you were taught about slavery in your history class in high school or middle school? Well, what if the curriculum was flawed? The answer is yes, that history about slavery is not being taught accurately in classes. When I was in elementary school and middle school, we discussed the founding fathers such as George Washington, John Adams, and Thomas Jefferson. We learned about how these men were inspirational and admirable leaders, …
In recent times, sharing an opinion online can feel a little scary. It’s not like having a casual chat with a friend, where words fade once the conversation ends. On the internet, what you post can stick around forever. There’s no real “rough draft” online once you hit publish, that draft becomes permanent. This has reshaped the way people express themselves. Many hold back, worried about being misunderstood or judged years down the line. Others …
It’s become clear to me that there’s an increasingly rising tension “between White and Black people.” I’m sure you might be accustomed to hearing this a lot by now if you live in the U.S. There is a caste system that places White people on top and Black people on the bottom. But what about all of the others that fall in between? How are they affected by this? Well, the Supreme Court recently allowed …
Healthcare is the organized system of services aimed at improving the health of an individual, treating the sick, and supporting recovery. Sounds important, right? It sounds like something that everyone should have access to, right? Yet the reality of healthcare in the United States is a different story. Access to healthcare is a common struggle for millions of Americans, particularly those of communities of color. This unequal access is known as a disparity, an unfair …
What is it about colorblindness that makes it feel so natural in our perception of others? I believe it is the normalization of online sources that shapes it to be the standard for how we view race to perpetuate colorblindness. In this way, choosing to be colorblind acts as an ‘eye prescription’; that frame of mind is normalized and idolized by society, which leads us to forget why race is important to discuss and recognize. …
One thing that has caught my attention through research is the idea that, despite efforts made by white institutions to create inclusion and equal access opportunities, people of color still feel unrepresented and marginalized. This raises the question of whether it is even possible for people of color to feel welcomed in white institutions. Belonging is defined as a deep sense of connection and feeling of community within a given space, and to feel welcomed …
Ezra: What are you saying? Mo: Black people and white people will never be cool, period. Ezra: What the f* are you talking about? Mo: The truth dog. Ezra: You’re my best friend and business partner. Mo: Yea, that’s how powerful this sh*t is bro. It’s kind of like when you cheat on a woman right? When you cheat on a woman you try and move forward but you never can. Why? ‘cause she just …
Psychology is constantly evolving, however that being said, it still has its flaws. Have you noticed that psychological research is biased? Early psychology is surrounded in white culture and unfortunately, it has led to current psychology remaining the same. The reason that psychology is grounded in whiteness, is due to the fact that white supremacy still exists and the lasting effects of it. The lack of diversity within psychological research is alarming. WEIRD stands for …
To understand health disparities that disadvantage marginalized racial communities, you need to understand health equity. It is important to understand that public health and health equity are not limited to just the medical healthcare field, as many may believe, but are both concepts are involved and are integral to the overall health of the community. While this does include access to reliable and cost-effective medical healthcare, it also means having access to clean and fresh …
Systematic racism can be defined as how discrimination weaves its way into policies and practices that exist within an organization or society. Racism comes in many forms, but the one area that does not often get talked about is how it can affect young black children, specifically in the context of police brutality and the judicial system. Dehumanization occurs when one is deprived of their human qualities, or subject someone to inhuman treatment and conditions. …
What makes a class good? That thought crossed my head frequently this semester. And it often happened under recurring circumstances, as I would walk out of a class that was quite frustrating to get through. Fifteen minutes after this class ended, one of my most thought provoking and important classes began, Contemporary Racism. The dichotomy of these two classes really got me in a comparative headspace, also due to the fact that both classes attempted …