The Color of Care
Medical Racism Senior Thesis
Medical Racism refers to the act of discrimination and malpractice in the medical field against people of different ethnic groups. Medical Racism dates all the way back to the 18th century when physicians conducted inhumane experiments on African Americans for personal satisfaction, and used the false information from their findings to justify slavery. Given that credible physicians publicly endorsed the results, false information began to spread as the norm and is still taught in some medical schools today. I chose to this do topic because I believe that racism is a plague that needs to be eradicated.
Exhibit
Step into this thought-provoking exhibit where you’re compelled to confront your own biases and discern whether what you believe to be true is rooted in fact or fiction. When you walk in, you’ll get a card and a pen, and your mission is to decide if common stereotypes are true or false. Opening the cabinets reveals the answers, and each one that is proven true offers insights into the societal factors that have shaped these stereotypes, particularly within the medical community.
Exhibit Cabinets
This exhibit serves as a mirror, prompting visitors to grapple with the stereotypes surrounding the African American community, shedding light on their profound impact on both daily life and healthcare.
Clock Design
When I set out to design this clock, I faced a real challenge—how to capture the complexity of ‘Medical Racism’ in one piece. There are so many layers to this issue. What emerged is the ‘Fatal Monitor’ clock, honing in on colorism, maternal deaths, and the staggering toll exacted by systemic racism in healthcare.
The background mimics a heart monitor and a heartbeat that slows as the skin tone gets darker. This represents colorism and how darker people are discriminated against, and have a greater chance of dying in a healthcare establishment. Every 12 hours, 101 lives are lost due to medical racism. That number, 101, mirrors an elevated heart rate, symbolizing the fear and urgency felt in such situations. It’s literally a matter of life and death. I named this clock “Fatal Monitor” as a nod to “Fetal Monitor”, but with a darker meaning. An African American infant is 3 times more likely to die than a white infant.
This clock is a wake-up call, a reminder that ‘Medical Racism’ is more than just a buzzword—it’s a harsh reality that demands action. I hope it prompts reflection and spurs people to stand up against injustice wherever they encounter it.