Sherrod Brown seeks to label racism a ‘public health crisis
Sherrod Brown Wants to Declare Racism a Public Health Crisis
Senator Sherrod Brown (D., Ohio) is pushing to declare racism a “public health crisis,” highlighting the “microaggressions” and ”forms of violence” that black Americans experience, even while jogging in their own neighborhoods.
On Monday, Brown introduced a resolution that aims to recognize racism as a public health crisis. The resolution calls for a comprehensive strategy to address health disparities and inequities across all sectors of society. While it does not provide specific strategies to dismantle systemic practices and policies that perpetuate racism, it does emphasize the need for governments to allocate significant resources to empower affected communities.
This resolution is a bold move for Brown, a staunch progressive, as he faces a challenging reelection campaign in a state that heavily favored former President Donald Trump in 2020. Despite this, Brown remains committed to his resolution, which he has reintroduced annually since 2020. While the overall objective of the resolution remains the same, there have been some changes since its initial introduction, including references to the dangers faced by black Americans while jogging and the existence of racial microaggressions in contemporary society.
The bill states, “Black people are confronted and threatened by armed citizens while performing everyday tasks, such as jogging in neighborhoods, driving, or playing in a park.”
It is worth noting that Senator John Fetterman (D., Pa.), who once chased a black man with a shotgun in 2013, is not a cosponsor of this bill.
Brown’s resolution also addresses the negative impact of the “myth of meritocracy” and “statements that convey color-blindness,” which are considered microaggressions that harm the physical and mental health of minority Americans.
The bill references various statistics, including the claim that “42 percent of employees in the United States have experienced or witnessed racism in the workplace.” This statistic is based on a single 2019 survey conducted by the job search website Glassdoor.
Additionally, Brown asserts that “approximately” 1.8 million individuals with ”Mexican ethnic identity” were deported during the Great Depression. However, according to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, an estimated 400,000 to 1 million Mexicans and Mexican-Americans left the US during that period for economic reasons, and approximately 82,000 Mexicans were officially removed by immigration authorities.
It is worth noting that Brown’s latest memoir explores the history of racism in America, highlighting the lives and careers of progressive senators who held racist beliefs. The audiobook version features an African-American narrator of erotic fiction, including quotes containing the N-word, as The Washington Free Beacon reported.
How can increased investment in research and data collection help address racial disparities in healthcare access, treatment, and outcomes
Gging, due to the racism deeply embedded in our society. These acts of violence perpetuate a cycle of fear and trauma that affect the mental and physical well-being of black individuals.”
By declaring racism a public health crisis, Brown aims to bring attention to the impact of systemic racism on the health and well-being of black Americans. The resolution highlights the disproportionate rates of chronic illnesses, such as hypertension, diabetes, and obesity, among black communities. It also acknowledges the racial disparities in access to quality healthcare, education, and economic opportunities.
Racism not only affects individuals but also undermines the overall health of communities and society as a whole. Brown’s resolution emphasizes the need for a comprehensive approach that addresses the social determinants of health, including housing, employment, and criminal justice reform. By tackling these systemic issues, the resolution aims to create a more equitable and just society.
The resolution also calls for increased investment in research and data collection to better understand the impact of racism on health outcomes. By collecting data on racial disparities in healthcare access, treatment, and outcomes, policymakers can develop targeted interventions to address these inequities.
The introduction of this resolution comes at a crucial time when the nation is grappling with racial injustice and the consequences of systemic racism. The COVID-19 pandemic has disproportionately affected black communities, exposing the racial health disparities that exist. Brown’s resolution recognizes the urgent need to address these disparities and promote health equity.
While declaring racism a public health crisis is a significant step, it is not a panacea. Brown’s resolution must be followed by concrete actions and policies that dismantle the structures of racism. It requires a commitment from lawmakers and policymakers to address the root causes of racial disparities and ensure that all individuals have access to the resources and opportunities needed for optimal health.
Senator Brown’s push to declare racism a public health crisis is a crucial step towards acknowledging and addressing the deep-rooted inequalities that persist in our society. By recognizing the intersection between racism and health, we can begin the necessary work of dismantling systemic racism and creating a more equitable and just society for all.
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