Written by Rodolfo Gonzalez, LCSW
What’s in a word? Understanding Racism (in Healthcare) through an Allegorical lens
When a word or phrase circulates too frequently into general use, it has a tendency to lose its effectiveness, and sometimes even its meaning. When it is something as innocuous as “literally,” we can just roll our eyes over its obnoxious misapplication and move on with our lives. But what happens when the word or phrase is important—and a clear, common understanding of its definition becomes critical to how we relate to each other and function within the different systems in society? Such is the case for “racism” and “systemic racism.” Although our current climate requires that we leave space to discuss these things, when everyone throws out these terms will-nilly, much like your favorite pair of jeans that you refuse to wash, they get worn down into too-faded versions of their former selves. When this happens, sometimes the best way to get people to gain a fresh perspective, is to do what all good writers know how to do—tell a story.
In her online lecture, “If Racism Is a Public Health Crisis, What Does That Mean for My Work?” Dr. Camara Jones, MD, MPH, PhD, tackled the subject using analogies and allegories. The four key messages presented were: racism exists; racism is a system; racism zaps the strength of the whole society; and we can act to dismantle racism. She also developed a framework for understanding racism on three levels: institutionalized, personally mediated, and internalized. Dr. Jones used the allegory, “A Gardener's Tale” to illustrate the relationship between the three levels of racism.
In the symbolic narrative, Dr. Jones uses two, large flower boxes (and their unequal soil qualities) to represent the disturbingly easy manner in which layers of inequity can occur. Without understanding the original environment, we can misunderstand and misinterpret the causes and connections that can lead to both failure and success (in this case, between pink and red flowers).Through the mundane, relatable act of gardening, we are able to acutely understand how institutional racism is the most fundamental of the three levels and must be addressed for important (and lasting) change to occur. It provides the insight that once institutionalized racism is addressed, the other levels of racism may cure themselves over time.
If you think you know how to recognize racism or systemic racism, I encourage you to read or listen to Dr. Jones’s presentation in its entirety and take notice the next time you get into another conversation with your neighbor on Facebook: what biases are we all working off of and are both sides willing to ask the questions that need to be asked?
