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RISK!

Presenting What's Ray Saying?: Black Medicine

Feb 19, 2025
In this engaging conversation, Dr. Ray Christian, a storyteller and creator of "What's Ray Saying?", highlights the intersection of Black culture and health. He shares his first experience at the doctor’s office, revealing the layers of mistrust in medical systems rooted in historical injustices like the Tuskegee study. Through personal anecdotes about childhood remedies, Ray illustrates the resilience of traditional healing. The discussions tackle healthcare accessibility, emotional journeys in engagements, and the importance of cultural practices in fostering trust within the Black community.
38:08

Episode guests

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

  • The mistrust of medical institutions in Black communities is deeply rooted in historical injustices like the Tuskegee Study, influencing healthcare engagement today.
  • Cultural resilience is demonstrated through the use of traditional remedies and community wisdom, highlighting a preference for self-care over a historically untrustworthy medical system.

Deep dives

The Mistrust of Medicine in Black Communities

Mistrust of medical institutions within Black communities has deep historical roots, often linked to past injustices and the legacy of systemic racism. This skepticism can be traced back to events like the Tuskegee Study, where African American men were intentionally left untreated for syphilis to study the disease's progression. Moreover, the perception that Black individuals have been treated with less care or regarded as merely livestock contributes to an ongoing reluctance to engage with the healthcare system. Over generations, these experiences have cultivated a narrative of fear and avoidance regarding medical interventions.

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