Elusive Wellness in a State of DIS-EASE

PART 2 (B) – The Illusion of Equality Under the Law

Let's open with an OBVIOUS predicate. No Nirvana. No Utopia. No group or society is perfect. Not even close. EVERY SOCIETY HAS ITS OWN ISSUES, AS WELL AS ITS OWN ENDEARING QUALITIES. Using the United States as a case study in this context and the following analysis, since the slave trade, at least more overtly than many societies, the bane of its existence, the number one unresolved BIG ISSUE, IS THE MATTER OF RACE. The open, and sometimes legally supported disparate racial treatment of its citizens without much pretense. And how too many socio-economic, and other institutions of state have been overtly or discreetly geared to preserve and sustain this unquestionably lop-sided expectation.

To be sure, even those in minority communities who have not bought into the hype of White racial superiority (as some skin-head types would prefer), are nevertheless confronted from time to time with racial obstacles that are not only stressful to surmount, but also limiting, demoralizing, and sometimes humiliating. Thereby creating many otherwise avoidable health challenges.

In view of all these, if the health system (and indeed society) continues to focus on the tendency to treat particular afflicted body parts (especially in the minority communities) without a comprehensive treatment of the person, and the essential rectification of the disparity in socioeconomic status (and systemic racism), not much will change.

Indeed, based on research conducted by experts on the subject, there appears to be compelling support for the view that because of the historic context of Black people’s unique history and experience in America, coupled with the fact that, to succeed, many black people have to actually strive to be acceptable to Whites (especially in the work environment, under the so-called "melting-pot" and the assimilationist ethos) by striving to be in the so-called mainstream, speak or dress in the culturally dominant, even if ill-suited style, appear and conduct themselves in a manner that the dominant white culture considers sufficiently seemly and nonthreatening, be confronted daily with prejudice, overt or subtle condescension, and presumptions of inferiority, yet grin and bear it (IMAGINE WHAT JACKIE ROBINSON, THE GREAT BASEBALL TRAILBLAZER ENDURED DECADES AGO, AND MILLIONS STILL ENDURE TILL THIS DAY).

All these have exacerbated, and continue to exacerbate the stress level, the mental health, and the physical condition of many African Americans (and other minority groups to varying degrees), to the point of placing millions of people in America (and other racially or culturally focused societies) IN A STATE OF DIS-EASE.

Most individuals in minority communities (including those from significantly divergent cultures, but nevertheless positively contributing to the IMPERFECT, but Great American Family) have consequently adopted the currently dominant European ethos of individualism, material acquisition and the drive for competition (which by themselves, other than their SELECTIVE implementation, are not necessarily wrong), even as the system continues to support the sometimes oppressive and unfair status quo. Abandoned, for example (especially in the context of African Americans), are what some experts refer to as the traditional African culture of community, cooperation, and cosmopolitan integration.

Some respected analysts have even suggested that all these have increased the level of SUPPRESSED ANGER in the African American community. The recognition of the seeming powerlessness against oppressive forces reflect itself in the well-known selective police practice of targeting Black motorist (also known as DRIVING WHILE BLACK – DWB, TOO OFTEN because of the racist assumption that a black motorist either has no business being seen in a particular highbrow neighborhood; or if in a luxury vehicle, becomes suspicious for driving an expensive vehicle the officer automatically believe was stolen, just because a black person is behind the wheel.

Another example referenced is the use of RACIAL PROFILING to harass otherwise law-abiding citizens. All these negatively impact the SELF-ESTEEM of impacted members of such minority groups, thus causing some not to ADEQUATELY VALUE THE QUALITY OF THEIR LIVES as much as the better respected and protected members of the White community. This is further compounded by the fear in many of the minority communities about not losing their comparatively LOW/ OR GROSSLY UNDERPAYING JOBS where they have to bend over-backwards, often to impress OBTUSE, AND SOMETIMES LESS QUALIFIED White bosses. They're too often forced to live in comparatively depressed neighborhoods because of well-documented racially inspired ‘RED-LINING’ THROUGH LOAN AND GENERAL HOUSING AND INSURANCE DISCRIMINATION which has been refined over time into an artform.

It can therefore be persuasively suggested that it is these identified issues like ANGER, STRESS, FEAR OR ANXIETY and LOW SELF-ESTEEM (all brought on by a hyper-racial system) that are the real determinants of PSYCHOLOGICAL DISEASE, including some of the causes of SUBSTANCE ABUSE and eventual ADDICTION.

To begin the process of effectively curing and effectively addressing these identified causes of general il-health for the long-term, it has been suggested that a good starting point (at least for African Americans) is the learning or re-acquiring the correct and an even more edifying version of the knowledge of themselves. This must be an integral part of comprehensive healing. To that end, the African American community must, for example, create and better articulate a more positive, even possibly heroic and survivor version of its checkered American Journey that is truly worthy of the self-confidence and self-esteem of current and future generations to be weaned on those truly heroic accounts.

After all, despite years of oppression, and holocaust decimating its ranks for some 400 years, the African American community has survived, thrived, and contributed significantly and creditably to the American (and world) civilization.

The belief is that this self-examination and reaffirmation will lead to a better love of self and thus enhance the community’s standing in America, and its long-term self-esteem. In the final analysis, it must be understood that to be in good health is to be in a state of OPTIMAL physical, psychological and social well-being.

In order to change the CURRENT dynamic and positively impact the health status of any minority group, that group must be empowered. However, the reality is that in order to empower a group in a particular context, you MAY need to (proportionately) disempower another (person or) group which currently has the relevant power, or advantage.

It is therefore illusory to believe that, without more, including mutual goodwill, the currently advantage/powerful group would easily or willingly relinquish some power or a significant part of its current advantages (i.e. through re-distributive or progressive taxation, or targeted tax relief, for example) in order to MAKE THE NEEDED RESOURCES READILY AVAILABLE to unequivocally address the key issues behind the poor health status of minority groups in America.

AND THE PROSPECTS FOR ENDURING POSITIVE CHANGE CONTINUES TO BE A NIP AND TUCK AFFAIR AS THAT PHILOSOPHICAL BATTLE REMAINS JOINED EVERY 2- AND 4 YEARS DURING ELECTION SEASONS, WITH THE RICH, THROUGH THEIR WELL-CALIBRATED MEDIA SOMEHOW CONSISTENTLY PERSUADE MANY, ESPECIALLY POOR AND BLUE-COLLAR WHITES, TO VOTE, AND CONTINUE VOTING AGINST THEIR OWN BEST ECONOMIC INTERESTS, EVEN AS THE WEALTH GAP IN THE COUNTRY WIDENS, AS THE RICH BECOME MORE OBSCENELY WEALTHY. AND THE POOR? WELL, FORGET ABOUT IT!!!

***Be on the lookout for the final chapter in this particular series

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