Black Health Matters: Wealth Is Health
Justice happens when Black people reclaim the opportunities that have been taken away.
Black Health Matters is a series on Heathline shedding light on the health realities of Black people in America. Akilah Cadet, DHSc, MPH, and REP CO Executive Advisor, in partnership with Healthline, aims to educate about inequities to inspire a world where everyone can attain their full health potential, regardless of the color of their skin.
Black people, once freed from being enslaved, remained gracious with money.
They’ve worked the same jobs as white people for less pay. They’ve had to accept higher interest rates for personal loans and mortgages. They’ve been denied opportunities for homeownership.
The list goes on and on.
Justice happens when Black people can reclaim the economic opportunities that have been taken away or set them back due to systemic racism and oppression.
Justice happens when Black people can build economic stability.
Historically, Black people have been and continue to be viewed as lesser than.
When Black people are in a position of economic justice and equality, it will feel like a form of rebellion for white people because the systems and institutions — which are suffused with white supremacy — have oppressed us for so long.
Economic stability means access to money and regular income to support your needs. It’s a basic and essential building block of health.
Historically, Black people have been systematically deprived of economic stability and the basic dignity that goes with it. Read the full piece over on Healthline right here.