Institutional Racism Appropriation 4/6/16

What is Racism? The belief that all members of each race possess characteristics or abilities specific to that race, especially so as to distinguish it as inferior or superior to another race or races (Google Dictionary). Prejudice, discrimination, or antagonism directed against someone of a different race based on the belief that one’s own race is superior (Google Dictionary). Poor treatment of or violence against people because of their race (Merriam- Webster Dictionary). A system of advantage based on race (David Wellman, Portraits of White Racism) Prejudice plus power (Beverly Daniel Tatum, “Why Are All the Black Kids Sitting Together in the Cafeteria?”)

What is Institutional Racism? “The term ‘institutional racism’ describes societal patterns that have the net effect of imposing oppressive or otherwise negative conditions against identifiable groups on the basis of race or ethnicity. The term was coined by Stokely Carmichael...during the late 1960s…. Carmichael felt that it was important to distinguish personal bias, which has specific effects and can be identified and corrected relatively easily, with institutional bias, which is generally long-term and grounded more in inertia than in intent” (Tom Head, Civil Liberties Expert). Examples: slavery, racism in medicine, WWII and internment camps, racial profiling, war on drugs/prisons

Institutional Racism and Health “In 1932, the Public Health Service, working with the Tuskegee Institute, began a study to record the natural history of syphilis in hopes of justifying treatment programs for blacks. It was called the “Tuskegee Study of Untreated Syphilis in the Negro Male.” The study initially involved 600 black men - 399 with syphilis, 201 who did not have the disease. The study was conducted without the benefit of the patients’ informed consent… Although originally projected to last 6 months, the study actually went on for 40 years” (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention). http://www.cdc.gov/tuskegee/timeline.htm

Institutional Racism and Health 1960s North Carolina Sterilization Program: http://rockcenter.nbcnews.com/_news/2011/11/07/8640744-victims-speak- out-about-north-carolina-sterilization-program-which-targeted-women-young- girls-and-blacks “A study by the U.S. General Accounting Office finds that 4 of the 12 Indian Health Service regions sterilized 3,406 American Indian women without their permission between 1973-1976” (U.S. National Library of Medicine). https://www.nlm.nih.gov/nativevoices/timeline/543.html

Institutional Racism and Health Studies on how racism and violence against communities of color affects their overall health and how racism creates disparities in access and quality of healthcare: https://www.apha.org/events-and-meetings/webinars/racism-and- health

What is cultural appropriation? The adoption or use of elements of one culture by members of a different culture. It is seen by some as controversial especially when elements of a minority culture are used by members of the cultural majority, and especially when the original meaning or cultural significance is lost or distorted. This is seen by some as disrespectful and racist toward the members who originated the cultural symbol/item/dance/music/etc. Cultural appropriation may 1) trivialize historic violent oppression 2) show love for their culture while still being prejudice against its people 3) discrimination occurs against the community but not against others or white community when they appropriate it for their own use 4) credit/payment is not given to the communities of color or originate it, that may have been punished for doing so, while rewards are given to white communities who engage in it 5) misinterprets history/culture 6) perpetuate stereotypes 7) feelings of white community are privileged