<body><div><figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=26dc0G_0trMXDyR00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=26dc0G_0trMXDyR00" width="1819" height="1648" ><figcaption>Credit: Getty Images.</figcaption></figure>I recently came across a provocative piece from June 2019 by Versey et al, looking at the process called appropriated racial oppression. The authors wrote: “The term appropriated racial oppression reframes the construct internalized racism as a process whereby members of a group appropriate a dominant group’s ideology, adapt their behavior, and perceive a subordinate status as deserved, natural, and inevitable.”The authors are from well-known programs such as the Department of Psychology at Wesleyan University, the School of Social Work from Columbia University, and the Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences from Washington University.The topic of appropriated racial oppression is complex. Although I will stay out of the weeds of the article, there is plenty to chew on. The following excerpt from this bold piece describes the authors’ take: <blockquote>“The novelty this article offers is twofold. First, we briefly discuss examples in which White supremacy affects both Whites and oppressed groups, highlighting ways in which appropriated racial oppression compromises mental health (Pyke, 2010). Secondly, we suggest that exploring how racism influences attitudes and behaviors in a range of ways presents new opportunities for research in psychology and public health. For oppressed groups in particular, we provide examples of how racism is negotiated on an individual level — beyond what has traditionally been conceptualized as self-hate. Finally, we discuss implications and suggestions for further study.”Appropriated racial oppression is insidious in that it centralizes and normalizes Whiteness in a way that infiltrates every component of one’s being — how one looks, the ways in which one speaks and behaves. Ultimately, a person of color may continually ask themselves, ‘What will White people think?</blockquote>That’s a lot to digest. Initially, I was a little put off by the process described where “White supremacy” affects White people. But what grabbed me is the primary focus on the negative health impact on our Non-White patients of the proposed phenomenon. I think this paragraph helps highlight the impact of the “appropriated racial oppression” on Non-White patients:<blockquote>“Appropriated racial oppression is insidious in that it centralizes and normalizes Whiteness in a way that infiltrates every component of one’s being — how one looks, the ways in which one speaks and behaves. Ultimately, a person of color may continually ask themselves, ‘What will White people think?’ before making a decision in order to adhere to norms deemed acceptable. As such, oppressed groups are burdened with navigating racial oppression using a range of coping strategies that collectively constitute forms of appropriated racial oppression.”</blockquote>While this piece proved to me to be a bit of a mind-bender, clinicians like PAs and nurse practitioners can learn much from the article. It is also an excellent reminder for clinicians interested in understanding the complex impact on our patients of racism in medicine. It’s not as simple as we may sometimes think, but approaching this challenging and disturbing issue with the understanding that complexity abounds will position us well to wade into a better understanding of racism in medicine, and how it may impact our patients, both White and Non-White as well. </div></body>

Mountain View, CA

NewsBreak

Managing Racism May Be as Harmful to Health as Exposure to Racism

I recently came across a provocative piece from June 2019 by Versey et al, looking at the process called appropriated racial oppression. The authors wrote: “The term appropriated racial oppression reframes the construct internalized racism as a process whereby members of a group appropriate a dominant group’s ideology, adapt their behavior, and perceive a subordinate status as deserved, natural, and inevitable.”