World's Smallest Baby
Tonight I went to a film screening and discussion at the local feminist bookstore, Charis. The film series, Unnatural Causes, is a seven party documentary that addresses the inequalities of socio-economic status in America that cause inequalities in health.
The rate at which African American children being born prematurely is at an alarming rate that has proven over the past few decades to not show any signs of going away. The factors of this epidemic have recently been researched in the area of how environmental influences impact the chances of prematurity. As we all know, being an African American women in America is already a double minority–not countering in the fact of other individual traits that make us unique. As the vessel for the continuation of our species, it is very disturbing to learn that it is becoming more and more difficult to uphold the lives of my future brothers and sisters.
The conclusion that is being formed to why African American children are the most likely to be born prematurely is racism.
“Racism is taking a toll on African Americans.”
Whoever suggested that we are in a post-racial society due to the recent election of the first African American president is completely blind to the fact that Blacks live in more poverty, are the least to graduate from high school, have a number of numerous health risks, etctera. And this observation isn’t new.
When you live in a country where an African American male without a record is less likely to get a job than a white male with a felony, you know that the inequality exists on a much more overt & concise form. The fact that those who live in impoverished neighborhoods receive the least amount of inadequate health care is not by coincidence.
“When the public education is a system that is based on the value of the property tax, you know that something is wrong” -CDC representative
As an African American woman, I feel like there should be more focus on this issue because if we put this off, there won’t be voice left. Let’s not act as if the U.S. hasn’t already depleted the natives of this land and had no one to answer to.
Racism exists on many levels. We must do each and every thing we can to undertake this unequal perception of human beings based on looks. It begins with you.
l/t
Unnatural Causes Website
Event Sponsored by Charis
Filed under: Community Events, Film Screenings , african american women, low birth rate, premature babies, stresses of racism
