There’s an alarming saying in medical circles that Black people in the US “live sicker and die quicker.” Linda Villarosa, a write for the New York Times Magazine, explores this phenomenon in her book UNDER THE SKIN: The Hidden Toll of Racism on American Lives and on the Health of Our Nation. Villarosa finds that erroneous beliefs about Black bodies, dating from the time of enslavement, continue to influence certain medical practices to this day. Coping with the daily stress of racism ages Black people prematurely. And racist beliefs held by doctors and other medical professionals often keep Black people from getting the care they need.
Villarosa’s book was a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize. It will open your eyes to the stark differences in our medical system.
Teens and young adults ages 13-21 can apply for a free Books Unbanned eCard from the Brooklyn Public Library, no matter where they live. The card provides access to the Brooklyn Public Library’s entire enormous digital collection. Especially helpful for young people facing censorship and book bans in their communities.
To apply, email booksunbanned@bklynlibrary.org.
