Dr. Anderson’s words (or a few)
In a word (or a few) - expand the notion of reparations. To repair means to "fix something that has been damaged". In a literal sense, Black people have experienced the infliction of damage over a number of generations. Fixing this damage is not FOR Black people, rather for the system to make an acknowledgment of how IT can fix these damages it has inflicted on this population. As such, the act of reparation is identifying where the harm has been caused and working towards the mending of this harm. Healthcare access, utilization, and quality have all been impeded by intentional damage and destruction, thus, solutions to remedy such factors (such as free health services, particularly mental health care [the domain in which I work]) need to bear in mind these historical factors. If Black people have less money or insurance availability BECAUSE of historical (and contemporary) practices, equitable healthcare changes should simply meet the needs of the people. Quality, free care - period.
For more information about Dr. Anderson, check out the following sites:
Riana Elyse Anderson, PhD, LCP | Psychologist, Speaker, Academic
