Skip to main content

Book Review: Sickening - Anti-Black Racism and Health Disparities

Buy from UMN Press


Racism is embedded in systems, structure and institutions in the United States. Nowhere else is its effects more profound and prolific than in systems of public health, healthcare and environmental justice. In Sickening: Anti-Black Racism and Health Disparities, Professor Anne Pollock illustrates through case studies the pervasive and precarious intersection of racism against Black Americans with social determinants of health.

Anne Pollock

The book is an important teaching tool for students of various disciplines to take a critical view of individual stories that have implications for social justice. Pollock focuses of 21st century issues that impact the lives of Black Americans, through the lenses of the war on terror, mass incarceration, unnatural disaster, environmental racism and reproductive justice. Black mail workers were exposed to anthrax shortly after the 9/11 tragedy. Hurricane Katrina claimed the lives of almost 2,000 people and displaced thousands of majority Black residents. The children of Flint, Michigan were subjected to drinking lead-contaminated water for years, without proper resolution. Tennis superstar Serena Williams discussed her difficulty getting the help she needed after the birth of her child. 

 

Each case offers ample evidence of differential and inequitable treatment of Black Americans, highlighting that the scourge of racism is not in the distant past, but continues to afflict Black communities in the present day. Pollock, a professor of social medicine and global health, raises the question of citizenship and “racialized biopolitics,” shining light on whose lives are valued and whose lives are disregarded.

Pollock offers an analytical tool to examine how racist systems cause persistent health disparities. The analysis template allows one to identify a particular example of social injustice, and invites the reader to apply the frames of institutionalized, personally mediated and internalized racism. She also challenges the reader to expand their analytical frame by delving deeper into historical, economic, intersectional and other contexts.

Pollock began writing the book before the COVID-19 pandemic exposed the vulnerabilities of Black communities during a global pandemic. She discusses the twin crises of the pandemic and social uprising that erupted from the tragic and senseless murders of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor and Ahmaud Arbery at the hands of police and right-wing vigilantes. Pollock’s examination of the depth of interlinking social injustices that harm Black communities is much needed during this time, as we continue to grapple with the continuing public health crisis. This book offers us the tools to think and act critically about workable solutions, as we recognize injustice and realize our part in dismantling systems of inequities.

Popular posts from this blog

Minding the Wealth Gap

As a Black investor and startup founder, Cliff Goins IV brings firsthand experience and sharp insight to one of America’s most urgent issues: the racial wealth gap. Having navigated the worlds of finance and entrepreneurship, Goins has seen up close the systemic disparities in wealth creation, access to capital, and asset management. From unequal opportunities in homeownership and education to persistent challenges in business funding and employment, the historical gaps are perpetuated in present-day practices. In "Minding the Wealth Gap," Goins skillfully blends data, lived experience, and the insights of experts to illuminate the deep-rooted economic disparities facing Black Americans. More importantly, he highlights the power of collective uplift. Through the voices of nine dynamic “gap closers,” Goins shows how real change happens when Black investors and leaders open doors for others. Each success “play” or strategy underscores the ripple effect of support. Selena Cu...
Read more

A Beginner’s Guide to the Roots of Yoga

The modern practice of yoga in Western culture is often criticized for disconnecting from its cultural, historical, and spiritual roots. In many studios and gyms, yoga is reduced to a fitness routine—focused on stretching rather than its original purpose of enlightening the mind. In "A Beginner’s Guide to the Roots of Yoga," celebrated practitioner Nikita Desai reconnects readers with yoga’s ancient Indian origins. Drawing on her Indian heritage, Desai explores the deeper meanings behind yoga’s forms, postures, and intentions, offering a rich historical and philosophical context for those seeking a more authentic practice. Desai shares her personal journey of reclaiming yoga’s essence, inviting readers to do the same by integrating cultural awareness into their practice. Her tone is welcoming and nonjudgmental, making the book accessible to readers of all backgrounds. Although I do not practice yoga, my meditation roots lie in Zen Buddhism. Through conversations with prac...
Read more

Wash

Ebony Stewart’s "Wash" is a powerful, unflinching poetry collection that draws the reader into a world of raw emotion, deep introspection, and lyrical brilliance. As I read through the poems, I found myself captivated by Stewart’s honest reflections on identity, love, loss, and healing. Her voice is unapologetically bold, revealing the complexities of being a Black womxn navigating relationships, societal expectations, and hard-fought victories toward self-worth. Yet, her themes are universal, resonating with anyone who has grappled with their own identity and relationships. What struck me most was Stewart’s emotional transparency: each poem feels like a cleansing, a shedding of shame, doubt, and grief, revealing the triumph of knowing one’s value in a world that often seeks to diminish it. Stewart doesn’t shy away from exploring the pain of extractive love or the vulnerability of desire, but she also leaves room for empowerment and resilience. As a celebrated spoken word ...
Read more