Black and Blue: The Origins and Consequences of Medical Racism

by John Hoberman

Black & Blue is the first systematic description of how American doctors think about racial differences and how this kind of thinking affects the treatment of their black patients. The standard studies of medical racism examine past medical abuses of black people and do not address the racially motivated thinking and behaviors of physicians practicing medicine today.

Black & Blue penetrates the physician’s private sphere where racial fantasies and misinformation distort diagnoses and treatments. Doctors have always absorbed the racial stereotypes and folkloric beliefs about racial differences that permeate the general population. Within the world of medicine this racial folklore has infiltrated all of the medical sub-disciplines, from cardiology to gynecology to psychiatry. Doctors have thus imposed white or black racial identities upon every organ system of the human body, along with racial interpretations of black children, the black elderly, the black athlete, black musicality, black pain thresholds, and other aspects of black minds and bodies. The American medical establishment does not readily absorb either historical or current information about medical racism. For this reason, racial enlightenment will not reach medical schools until the current race-aversive curricula include new historical and sociological perspectives.

Genres: Medicine, Nonfiction, Race, Social Justice, Health Care, History, Medical

304 pages, Paperback

First published March 2, 2012

Reviews

[Jerry Kinard · Rating 3 out of 5]

I thought the book was very educational. Unfortunately, it was a difficult read at times. Dry in a number of places. At times, I did not know which direction the author was going. Personally, I would recommend Medical Apartheid by Harriet A. Washington which is a much better read. However, this book should not be overlooked and I do recommend it for anyone who is interested in learning more about the subject of medical racism.

[Aubrey Dawson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to my medical school, OHSU, for providing every student with a copy of this book and for a well-structured environment and curriculum to discuss it. This has been the most important part of my med school education so far.

[Kate · Rating 4 out of 5]

This isn't a book one evaluates based on how much one "likes it". This is a comprehensive systematic review of the history underpinning the ongoing racism in American medicine, and does so with citations and references to spare. Be aware this is an academic text and not a pop-sci narrative- it's a dense read. I recommend reading in chapters or pieces, or excerpting bits to use in educational settings, because it's crucial work and information, but can be difficult to focus on after a while.

[Lawrence Grandpre · Rating 5 out of 5]

An essential read for anyone who believes "cultural comoentancy" or other multicultural measure as sufficient to address anti black medical racism. This should give pause to those who defend universal convergence as in itself health justice.. if you exposing more black folk to racist health care that isnt social justice.

[Iku · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pretty dense but learned a ton and will use a reference text. I also think this book can be taxing for a Black reader, some parts could have been written with better care/keeping that in mind.

[Lacy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is not an easy read, and it is very much a dry, non-fiction account of medical racism in the United States. But if this topic is important to you, then I recommend it.

[TJ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Only thing lacking is a solution or even way to approach solution. But otherwise great and well worth the read

[Case Chun · Rating 5 out of 5]

Provides and summarizes lengthy and expansive research on the historical, social, and biological context of medical racism. Provides enough research and conclusions. Though lengthy and at times repetitive, I recommend this book for any aspiring or current provider. I wish the book, however, had added more examples of successful, pragmatic changes in the past that can serve as models for institutional change and racial/cultural education reform.