Foundational Training: Structural Racism and Advancing Equity Training 2

The Historical Context of Structural Racism in the US

Trainer: Ruth Shim, MD, MPH

This course presents the historical context for the construction of the concept of race, and traces the creation of structurally racist policies in the United States, as well as their impact on oppressed and marginalized populations.

The course will explore how these structurally racist policies have directly impacted health and mental health of people of color, and how these policies have led to mental health inequities. Finally, this course will discuss strategies to begin to dismantle the harmful structural mechanisms that drive health inequities in the United States.

Download the Presentation Slides

Agenda Topics

1. The Social Construction of Race

2. The Foundation of Racism in the US

3. Psychiatric Pseudoscience

4. The Protest Psychosis

5. Structural Racism and Health Inequities

Learning Objectives

As a result of attending this training, participants will be able to:

1. Understand the historical context of structural racism by considering three examples of how structurally racist policies have adversely impacted health.

2. Consider the pathways by which social norms and public policies lead to mental health inequities.

3. Identify strategies to begin dismantling structurally racist policies in mental health care organizations.

Assignments

This self-directed learning course is designed to be an engaging introduction to developing a life-long practice of self-reflection. For 15 days (over 3 months), as a community, we will commit to reading, watching, and listening to the provided educational content. Each’s days content should take an average of 20 minutes to complete. After each day’s content, you will be asked to answer self-reflection questions to deepen your understanding of structural racism. Please spend 10-15 minutes reflecting by writing your thoughts down (journaling) in response to the questions/prompts.

Day 6: Caste – Racial Hierarchy in the United States
1. Listen to this podcast (38 minutes): It’s More Than Racism
2. Answer the self-reflection question: How do you see yourself in the caste system in the United States? What implications has this had on your life?

Day 7: The Urgency of Intersectionality
1. Watch this video (19 minutes) The Urgency of Intersectionality, Kimberlé Crenshaw
2. Answer the self-reflection questions: How do your intersecting identities shape your access to power and resources? How often do you consider how intersectionality impacts the women you interact with (both personally and professionally)?

Day 8: The New Jim Crow
1. Watch this Video (20 minutes): Legally Speaking: a Conversation with Michelle Alexander.
2. Answer the self-reflection questions: What (and who) comes to mind when you think about “criminals” or “felons”? What experiences have shaped these perceptions?

Day 9: We Need to Talk About an Injustice

1. Watch this video (23 minutes): We Cannot Stay Silent About George Floyd

2. Answer the self-reflection question: What were your primary thoughts when listening to Bryan Stevenson talk about injustice? What are ways that you can personally fight injustice?

Day 10: How Racism Makes Us Sick

1. Watch this TED Talk (17 minutes): How racism makes us sick

2. Answer the self-reflection question: How does racism and discrimination produce a health system that results in health inequities? What role do you play in that system and what actions can you take to change the system? entrenched over time?

Weekend BONUS #2 (this activity is optional and can also be completed with family, friends, learning communities, etc.)

1. Watch the documentary film The 13th (available on Netflix)

2. Answer the self-reflection questions: What were your initial reactions to this film? How have your reactions changed with time and discussion with others?