The Implications of Social Work-Article Response

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The Implications of Social Work-Article Response

Historical Context

Published in 2018, the article The Formation of the Black Medical Movement and Its Implications for Social Work, Part 1: African American Physicians by Fabienne Snowden centers on the health deficits of black American communities in the United States. Regarding historical context, the article takes readers back to how the health disparities that currently exist in the system came to be. The health gaps emanate from the fact that people of color came into the United States as slaves (Snowden, 2018). As slaves, they were not entitled to rights such as health because they were used to provide labor to their white counterparts. They were not viewed as equals, and as such, they did not have access to health care and resources for a long time and as a result, their issues were not addressed by the existing health systems. Additionally, there were no laws that addressed the problems of people of color because for a long time, they remained excluded and were not viewed as equals. Worth noting, in the context of social work, the story of how African American communities came to gain access to medical education and training remains largely unexplained.

Why the Information is Important

The information contained in this article is important to know at the beginning of the professional relation because it helps future professionals understand the journey of African American people in acquiring medical training. The information helps potential professionals understand the gains for people of color and what it means for them. It helps them know that people of color had to fight to be accepted and viewed as equals to their white counterparts. For a long time, people of color were excluded from all matters of health, including accessing health services themselves and training. For people of color to be accepted as equals in society and for them to hold positions as doctors and nurses, they had to struggle to prove themselves. The information instills values of resilience and hard work, particularly in the people of color, pushing them to become even greater people now that they know about their history.

Impact of Coronavirus Pandemic on Black and Brown Communities

The coronavirus pandemic disproportionately affects the black and brown communities, placing them at increased risk of contracting and succumbing to covid-19. Poverty and access to health care are problems that people of color have to deal with. Because of their low economic status, they cannot afford the best care if they contract the virus, which places them at a disadvantage compared to their white counterparts. Furthermore, people of color and other minority groups work in important sectors such as factories, farms, health care facilities, public transportation, and grocery stores, increasing their exposure to coronavirus. Worth noting, most African American people live in crowded conditions, which makes it difficult to social distance and isolate individuals who are sick. This increases their chances of contracting and succumbing to the virus.

My opinion of the Article

My general overview of the article is that it stresses the need to appreciate our past because it makes us who we are. I agree with this notion because it is only when one understands their roots, theta they become better placed to improve and make informed choices. Additionally, recognizing what happened in the world that existed before helps us build on the experiences and rectify their mistakes. Understanding what transpired between white people and people of color is very important. It shows us the struggles that people of color had to endure in their quest for racial equality in the health sector.

References

Snowden, F. (2018). The formation of the Black medical movement and its implications for social work, part I: African American physicians. Urban Social Work, 2(2), 159-175.