Racial Ethics in Biomedicine, African American Health, and Brash White Protesters

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In a poignant legacy post, Dr. Keisha Ray explores the impact of the US Capitol attack on the health and well-being of Black individuals, arguing that it is a crucial moment to delve into the practice of Black bioethics.

The Capitol attack, Dr. Ray suggests, has caused a myriad of emotions among Black people, including feelings of disturbance, anger, sadness, marginalization, and mistreatment. These emotions, she argues, are not only a response to the immediate event but also a reflection of a deeper history of injustice against Black people in America.

Dr. Ray defines Black bioethics as the exploration and interrogation of events affecting the health or well-being of Black individuals or the Black population. She sees the Capitol attack as an opportunity to apply this lens, demanding more than just a shake of the head in response.

The author expresses particular concern about the psychological and health effects of the attack. Stress, she notes, can worsen existing health conditions in Black people, who already disproportionately suffer from hypertension and cardiovascular disease. Furthermore, stress can cause low birth weights and poor neurodevelopment in Black fetuses.

Dr. Ray points to the long-term health effects of the attack, suggesting that it could induce stress, anxiety, and depression, with potentially serious consequences for Black people's health. She also highlights the historical context, drawing parallels between the Capitol attack and events like the 1921 Tulsa Massacre, where Black people have been unfairly treated by the legal system.

The author also addresses the issue of public anger among Black people. She notes that Black people are not allowed to express anger publicly due to the fear of lethal force, citing examples such as the Black Lives Matter protests and the Rodney King case. This fear, she argues, takes years off Black lives.

Finally, Dr. Ray addresses the disproportionate incarceration and police killings of Black men, stating that these issues are also affected by the Capitol attack. Black men, she argues, have a lower life expectancy than White people, and the Capitol attack further threatens their health and well-being.

In conclusion, Dr. Ray's post serves as a call to action, urging readers to consider the health disparities faced by Black people in the aftermath of the Capitol attack and to engage with Black bioethics as a means of addressing these issues. The post covers topics including Black Bioethics, Cultural Ethics, and Health Disparities.

Racial Ethics in Biomedicine, African American Health, and Brash White Protesters