Category Archives: film reviews

Blog Final – Abigail Desiatnikov

The program of my choosing is a USD Humanities Center series coined “Baked In: Systemic Racism Around and Within Us.” I specifically chose the episode on “Perspectives on Racism and Health,” which I did because I wanted to better understand the Black experience throughout the social sector of healthcare. This program goes into the trials and tribulations many that are a part of the Black community have had to face in the past and still have to face, concerning healthcare and the receiving of fair and right medical treatment. Whether it be to the extent of daily health needs, or to the institutional level, the Black community has had a far harsher experience when it comes to basic health support and needs compared to other groups living and residing in the U.S.

Mistreatment in the sphere of healthcare has been a present obstacle for the Black community since the beginning of America. Most recently, the 2020 pandemic showed just how prevalent systemic racism is in the American healthcare system and how the Black experience having to do with the fair receiving of healthcare is seriously compromised on a daily basis. Studies have shown that “the COVID-19 pandemic has had a disproportionate effect on the Black/African American population” (Okoro, Vosen, etc, 2022). The program lead speaker, Jullian Tullis, speaks to the disparities in health and the consequences of racism. She speaks to the recent uptake in disparities for the Black community with the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020, and how this too became a part of the Black Lives Matter movement which effectively forced the Black community and allies to keep rallying and protesting through the pandemic. They persisted with the protests through the time of COVID-19 because they felt that their lives once again were being overlooked and undermined compared to other communities in America concerning the healthcare system during the 2020 pandemic. Due to the extent to which the Black community felt ignored and neglected throughout the pandemic, Tullis says that a number of politicians had sworn to take action against active systemic racism and to make that a top priority going forward. For example, on January 12th, 2021 the San Diego County Board of Supervisors had officially decided on categorizing racism as a public health crisis – the point to which systemic racism around and within us had gotten to was quite clear and critically disturbing. The reality of the situation was that individuals of the Black community – on top of having the anxiety of catching a potentially fatal disease – had to battle the persistent anxiety of being treated fair and right by the healthcare system if they contracted the disease, or even for prevention purposes. The Covid-19 pandemic is, in my opinion, one of the clearest forms of systemic racism being present throughout our society in America’s history. During a health crisis – a full on pandemic where you feared losing your life on a daily basis – people of the Black community felt less confidence and had less trust in institutional health spaces and organizations. “Pre-existing structural inequities are implicated in the mental health impact, as well as the under-utilization of and limited access to healthcare services in the Black/African American population” (Okoro,Vosen, etc, 2022). Speaker Kristopher Hall bridges the gap between psychological factors such as having chronically strong anxiety about the high possibility of being mistreated on any given day due to the color of one’s own skin, and how this can impact health in a dangerous way even before contracting a potentially fatal virus like that of COVID-19. This to me is blatantly a different experience than most other groups that occupy America. Moreover, the program speaks to how for certain communities having to do with everyday life needs, if there is disparity present to a certain extent, then health for that community would be impacted and compromised to a damaging extent. A dynamic connection is made between systemic racism present in the U.S. causing parts of the Black community to be majorly economically disadvantaged. Along with the reality of lacking resources to sustain even somewhat healthy survival, then there would most likely be a great deal of struggle for the most essential entity in life – which is health. The program gives the example of how struggles for the Black community in America concerning sectors of life such as high crime rates or low educational levels, can impact the way healthcare is given and taken by individuals of the Black community. A major reason why health is impacted living around high crime and/or low educational levels Speaker Dr. Martha Fuller says, is because “wealth” is usually seen to be associated with low crime rates and higher educational levels. Speaker Dr. Martha Fuller drives the point that social factors gravely impact the way one would receive healthcare, and further highlights the point that the long and on-going systemic racism present in America has set up the Black community for poor health outcomes on top of battling a fatal virus like that of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Looking further into the history of this subject, the mistreatment of the Black community having to do with healthcare dates far back and has come a long way. Still, significant advancements still need to be made when talking about systemic racism, the Black community and healthcare. Many carry trauma for what relatives and ancestors had to go through when it came to something as vulnerable as healthcare. The trauma for the Black community in America having to do with the healthcare system dates far back and can be viewed as disturbing and quite horrific. One example of a truly terrifying instance of grave mistreatment to the Black community – because American society permitted such heinous levels of racism at the time – was the Tuskegee Syphilis Study which was performed in Macon County, Alabama in 1932. This study aimed to understand syphilis more and conducted experiments on living bodies that contracted the disease and were left untreated. The participants were only Black males. It started off as just a study where Black men who were “desperately poor, uneducated male sharecroppers scattered throughout rural Macon County” were recruited to help in a medical study, and which many did because they never really received true medical treatment before and didn’t know any better (Freedom On My Mind, 2021). cheapest Montblanc penAt first the study was not supposed to be directed at better understanding syphilis and its fatality, but “the study took a turn in 1933 when a decision was made to follow the men until death because only an autopsy could determine the true effect of syphilis” (Freedom On My Mind, 2021). Though there are many other instances, this is a heavy example of just one instance of racism against the Black community concerning healthcare where generational trauma has carried on and caused severe distrust from the Black community towards the American healthcare system.

In conclusion, the program speaks to the point that awareness of systemic racism is good but meaningful action needs to be taken against it and most importantly in the realm of healthcare. Hall gives the example of how the healthcare system could utilize ways to combat the systemic racism that leaves individuals from the Black community feeling neglected and that it’s just a part of the norm for them to have to feel that way because that’s the society and reality that they live in. Hall strongly rejects this and gives an example of an individual who is a part of the Black community who needs to see a Black woman therapist. And how then that should be a readily available option for that individual. Additionally to this point, it’s important to note that due to income inequalities put forth by unattended systemic racism throughout the U.S. (which usually impacts the type of schooling you receive growing up as well as for higher education), the number of Black physicians isn’t climbing at the same rate as the rate for the need of Black physicians. These types of social complexities make the Black community’s experiences with healthcare significantly difficult on a daily basis.

Work Cited

Okoro, O., Vosen, E. C., Allen, K., Kennedy, J., Roberts, R., & Aremu, T. (2022). ssssCovid-19 impact on mental health, healthcare access and social wellbeing – a black sssscommunity needs assessment. International Journal for Equity in Health, 21(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12939-022-01743-z

White, D. G., Bay, M., & Martin, W. E. (2021). Freedom on my mind: A history of African Americans, with documents. Bedford/St. Martins.

Program Link

https://youtu.be/lOu8kTvlreE

Exploring Narratives and Themes in African American History: A Critical Analysis of the Red Lip Theology Program – Jae Johnson

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On October 3, 2021, the San Diego Public Library hosted a virtual program titled “Candice Marie Benbow Talks Red Lip Theology.” The event featured a conversation between Candice Marie Benbow, a writer, and theologian, and Melinda Guillen, a community activist and journalist. The program aimed to explore the intersection between faith and social justice, highlighting the perspectives of black women and the challenges they face in navigating systems of oppression. This essay will discuss the key narratives and themes of the program and their significance to our understanding of African American history, as well as provide a critical analysis of the event.
The program opened with a screening of the short film, “Red Lip Theology,” which introduced the central concept of the event. The film, directed by Candice Marie Benbow, featured several black women sharing their experiences of wearing red lipstick as an act of resistance against oppressive beauty standards. The film served as a powerful visual representation of the themes that would be explored throughout the program. Following the film, Candice Marie Benbow and Melinda Guillen engaged in a dialogue that delved into the nuances of faith and social justice from a black feminist perspective. One of the main questions posed by the program was how black women can find liberation through their faith, despite the ways in which Christianity has been used as a tool of oppression. Throughout the conversation, Benbow and Guillen highlighted the idea that black women have used their faith as a means of resistance and survival, often creating their own theological frameworks that center their experiences. The program emphasized the importance of acknowledging the diversity of black religious experiences and the need for black women to claim their narratives within religious spaces.

Another key theme of the program was the intersection between faith and social justice. The conversation explored how religion can be a powerful force for change, while also acknowledging the multiple ideologies and philosophies that had been used to justify systems of oppression. Benbow and Guillen highlighted the need for a nuanced understanding of the relationship between faith and social justice, one that recognizes the complexities of navigating oppressive systems and the importance of community organizing. The narratives and themes of Red Lip Theology are significant to our understanding of African American history in several ways. First, the program highlights the role of black women in shaping religious and theological discourse. Despite being excluded from mainstream religious institutions, black women have created their own spaces and developed their frameworks for understanding their faith. This tradition of black women’s religious leadership has a long history, dating back to the days of slavery when black women played a vital role in sustaining their communities’ spiritual practices. Understanding the contributions of black women to religious history is critical for a comprehensive understanding of African American history.

Additionally, Red Lip Theology emphasizes the importance of intersectionality in understanding the experiences of black women. The program recognized that black women face intersecting systems of oppression, including racism, sexism, and classism. Understanding how these systems intersect and impact black women’s lives is crucial for developing effective strategies for liberation. By centering the perspectives of black women, Red Lip Theology provides a unique and valuable contribution to our understanding of African American history.
In analyzing the program, it is important to recognize its limitations. While Red Lip Theology highlighted the importance of intersectionality, it did not fully explore the experiences of LGBTQ+ black women or disabled black women. The program also focused primarily on Christianity, without acknowledging the diversity of religious experiences within the black community. Furthermore, while the program emphasized the role of community organizing in social justice movements, it did not provide concrete strategies for how individuals can engage in activism. These limitations provide opportunities for further research and exploration into the themes and narratives presented in the program. For example, a future study could analyze the role of music in African American history and its significance in shaping cultural identity. Another study could explore the impact of the Civil Rights Movement on contemporary issues and activism. Additionally, the program highlights the importance of preserving and sharing African American history, as it provides a better understanding of the experiences and struggles of the community. This can be achieved through various means such as public programs, educational initiatives, and community engagement. Overall, the program serves as a reminder of the richness and complexity of African American history, and the importance of continued exploration and education on the topic.

Overall, the Red Lip Theology program offered an engaging and thought-provoking exploration of the intersection of faith, beauty, and black womanhood. The speakers and participants offered a diverse range of perspectives and experiences, creating a space for nuanced discussions and deep reflections. The program’s focus on the narratives and themes of black women’s experiences highlighted the need to center their voices and stories in discussions of African American history. One of the key narratives that emerged throughout the program was the theme of resistance and resilience. Speakers highlighted some of the ways black women have historically used their faith and beauty practices as tools for resistance against systemic oppression. From the use of hymns during slavery to the adoption of red lipstick as a symbol of power and resistance in contemporary times, the program emphasized how black women have creatively adapted and transformed their practices to assert their agency and resist oppressive structures.

Another important theme that emerged in the program was the idea of interconnectedness and community. The speakers emphasized the idea that beauty practices, particularly those related to hair and skincare, have been historically used to build community and connect with other black women. For example, the practice of braiding hair has been a longstanding tradition in many African cultures and has been used as a means of bonding and building relationships between women. Similarly, the program highlighted the ways black women have formed networks and communities around beauty practices like wearing red lipstick, creating a sense of solidarity and shared identity. The Red Lip Theology program was significant to our understanding of African American history because it highlighted the often-overlooked narratives and experiences of black women. Too often, discussions of African American history center on the experiences of black men or focus exclusively on issues of racism and discrimination. However, the program emphasized the need to center the experiences of black women, who have been doubly marginalized by their race and gender. By exploring the intersection of faith, beauty, and black womanhood, the program offered a more nuanced and complex understanding of African American history, one that recognizes the importance of diverse perspectives and experiences. Furthermore, the program’s focus on beauty practices and faith traditions challenged mainstream narratives about black women and their bodies. Too often, black women’s bodies are objectified and sexualized in popular media and culture, reducing them to mere objects of desire or exotic curiosities. However, the Red Lip Theology program emphasized a multitude of ways black women’s beauty practices are rooted in cultural traditions and have deep spiritual and emotional significance. By reframing beauty practices as forms of resistance and empowerment, the program challenged the dominant narrative that black women’s bodies are simply objects to be consumed.

In conclusion, the Red Lip Theology program provided a powerful and thought-provoking exploration of the intersection of faith, beauty, and black womanhood. Through a diverse range of speakers and participants, the program highlighted how black women have historically used their beauty practices and faith traditions as tools for resistance, resilience, and community building. The program’s focus on the narratives and themes of black women’s experiences offered a more nuanced and complex understanding of African American history, one that recognizes the importance of diverse perspectives and experiences. By centering the experiences of black women and reframing beauty practices as forms of resistance and empowerment, the Red Lip Theology program challenged mainstream narratives about black women and their bodies, offering a more nuanced and empowering vision of black womanhood.

References

Baker, A. (2018). Women and community activism in the Civil Rights Movement: Making a difference. University Press of Mississippi.

Benbow, C. M. (2018). Red Lip Theology. [Video]. San Diego Public Library. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mPJOtkLb-c8&feature=youtu.be&ab_channel=SanDiegoPublicLibrary

Foner, E., & Garraty, J. A. (1991). The Reader’s companion to American history. Houghton Mifflin.

Hine, D. C., Hine, W. C., & Harrold, S. (2019). African Americans: A concise history. Pearson.
Jones, J. (2018, July 23). The forgotten female soldiers of the Civil Rights Movement. Time. https://time.com/longform/women-civil-rights-activists/

Troy, G. (2019). The end of the beginning: Barack Obama, Abraham Lincoln, and the promise of Reconstruction. Lawrence: University Press of Kansas.