Blog Entry #2: In Sickness and in Wealth
In Sickness and in Wealth (2008) by Larry Adelman
Mind blown. This was my overall reaction from watching this film. After finding out that this film was made in 2008, I couldn’t help but
shake my head out of deep frustration. I had this mixed feeling of anger and
“WTF” moments wherein it felt so weird that a lot of the things/ messages and
predictions these experts said back in 2008 have now to come to existence That
in 2020, we are now in a world facing a predicament that could’ve been avoided
(maybe?) or if not, handled more efficiently and effectively. What’s worse is
that more than a decade after the film was made, the problem in America’s
inequity in social, political and economic systems/ policies remain prevalent
(and most likely has worsen) in several parts of the country.
A key
takeaway that I got from this film is that: in America, wealth equals health.
Here in this country, health is dependent largely on the individual’s assets
and resources. Unfortunately, inequity, white supremacy and segregation are
huge drivers in our country’s policy making system. The poor are getting poorer
and middle class people are getting squeezed. Thus, suggesting more health
problems in the future for majority of Americans in which we are clearly seeing
now as we battle this deadly pandemic. The film also touched on the concept of
the social gradient in health. What’s worth noting is that Dr.
Adewale Troutman, a successful (and affluent) African-American, pointed out
that in the so-called social gradient, racial disparity plays a huge part in
people’s health outcomes. He argued that if you’re black, no matter your social
status, your health outcomes will always be worse than your white counterpart.
In
relation to this, I found a strong connection between the message of this film
(2008) and the first set of readings we did about Devastated Budgets and Racial
Disparities in COVID-19 (2020). How in all these materials, unnatural causes
such as racism, difference in income, inequality, etc. greatly impact the lives
of people, particularly their health outcomes.
I've
linked a Youtube video wherein it helps answer the question, “Why cities are still
segregated?”. It tackles the topic on housing segregation and discrimination
that helped me understand how the impact of COVID-19 is and will be different
for certain communities in this country.
How and why the poor communities that are mainly populated by people of
color face the biggest threats in terms of schooling and health (both during
and post-pandemic).
Lastly,
one common idea/message I got from these 3 resources is the blinding economic
and political inequality and racial disparity that are linked with racism. How
America has the potential to solve and address these inequities; that we have a
choice as to whether we invest early and set good trajectories for better
communities for EVERYONE or to engage in damage control every time something
bad happens, just as what we are doing given this pandemic. I also support the
idea that the authors of the Racial Disparity article wrote when they said,
“The challenge facing us right now is to respond to today’s pandemic in a way
that helps us build a future in which we are ALL protected from threats to our
health and well-being.” How they recognize that the ultimate “vaccine” is us
finally addressing the adverse conditions and structural inequities present in
our current society.
The point you made about the film being created in 2008 and how things have seemingly worsened in our society truly hit home. Just as the film mentioned, we have been on a decline in terms of social reform and health justice since the 1980s... it seems as though there was a time prior specially after the Civil Rights Movement where things seemed to be picking up but we are now headed back the other way or even at a standstill. Especially with this current pandemic, we can see the divides between classes even more so now the social issues that have already been a problem are being squeezed. I am hopeful that this is enough to promote some change in our society going forward...but if things haven't imporved in the last 40 years, I wonder what needs to be done so that in the next 40 years we actually see a positive change.
ReplyDeleteGreat points!
Hi Jim!
ReplyDeleteI too had that "shake my head" moment when finding out when the film came out. If people were aware of this then, we have studies that prove what/why it is happening, what has been done to try and equal the playing field? It connects to what you said at the end "we have a choice as to whether we invest early and set good trajectories for better communities for EVERYONE or to engage in damage control every time something bad happens". Our country is constantly in "patch work" solutions to bigger problems. Unfortunately too many decisions in the country are made first by thinking about money; there is no money for a possible solution, money could be "better used" someplace else, if they put something forward that could equal the playing field people WITH money are going to make noise if it affects them. In order for things to get better for our country as a whole people need to start wanting whats best for EVERYONE not just themselves.
Loved the visuals you included!
Thank you for your thoughtful post, Jim. So we have to ask ourselves "How are these inequities maintained over time?" -- like, what are the processes or mechanics by which US society remains so racialized? And for us, as adults who work with youth, how are we and our institutions/orgs implicated? And what can we do to disrupt the seemingly relentless forward march of white supremacy? How can we bend our spaces towards more just aims?
ReplyDeleteHi Jim,
ReplyDeleteI loved reading your thoughts about the film. I had a very similar reaction to the film, and it struck me that many of the racial disparities and cycles of poverty have only worsened over time. You hear so much about the wealthy getting wealthier and the poor getting poorer, and this video does a good job of explaining the consequences of that trend. The inequalities in our society are truly a product of socialization. I appreciate your connections to today's current events and the disparities that are emerging as a result of the pandemic. Hopefully, this new lens will be an impetus for me to do more as a healthy, privileged person.
Thanks for sharing.