Come learn with us
(Image: “Fluttering Friends” by Pat Swanson)
Today’s the official start of Black History Month! This year’s theme is Black Health and Wellness. It acknowledges not only the accomplishments, contributions, and traditions of Black people in the fields of medicine and wellness, but also the systemic, intersectional inequalities that lead to poorer health outcomes for Black people.
It’s a rich topic with a lot of rich texts, and in order to better work with/serve Black community members, we’re inviting our team at Simpson to dive into some of them. In addition to this year’s staff book club book (“Killing Rage: Ending Racism” by Bell Hooks) we’re supplying books recommended by the Association for the Study of African American Life and History – like “Medical Apartheid” by Harriet Washington — to staff members interested in learning more. You can check out the selected titles here.
We’re also going to take part in some upcoming learning opportunities, like this virtual presentation through Minnesota State University, Mankato: “The Impact of Historical Trauma on Healthcare.” (Note: registration closes on Friday, so don’t sleep on it if you’re interested in attending!)
There are plenty more opportunities to dig in and learn more in the community. In a time when we’re all facing some very real public health challenges, it’s never been more critical to examine the ways in which Black people experience a disproportionate share of pain and suffering and dismantle the structures that maintain the status quo. This is particularly true of our work to house, support, and advocate for people experiencing homelessness, a disproportionate number of whom are and historically have been Black.
We invite the community to go on this journey of learning with us. Here are a few more educational opportunities to help you get started. But hey – we bet you have more! If you know some good resources, share them with us on social media!
Black Joy: Strategies for Improving Mental and Physical Health
Power and Privilege series featuring Nicole Cardoza
Erase: The Movement to Exclude Black People from History
The History of African Americans in Southeast Minnesota
Episode 4 of the 1619 podcast, “How the Bad Blood Started”
NPR, “Data analysts proved what Black Pittsburgh knew about COVID’s racial disparities”