Spotlight: Black Women and Medical Racism

To celebrate Black History Month, I believe it's important to put a spotlight on medical racism and the dangers of the racist stereotype of the “strong Black woman.” As a disabled Black woman myself, I have dealt with my share of racism in medical settings. At one point after having a ileal conduit surgery that ended with me immediately waking from anesthesia and being temporarily paralyzed and in excruciating pain. After months of being denied appointments and pain medication, I found a doctor who listened to me and diagnosed me with an autoimmune disorder. I also found a pain management specialist who believed my pain without me having to prove that I was worthy of relief. 

 It's so important that we recognize the struggle of being believed when seeking medical help. Black women are consistently less likely to have their pain taken seriously at appointments. ME/CFS is already difficult to get taken seriously or to receive a proper diagnosis. Being a Black woman even lessens the chances of being diagnosed. 

The “strong Black woman” stereotype has roots (like many racial stereotypes) in slavery and Jim Crow. Black women have long been seen as a demographic that feels no physical pain. Doing that was used to exploit and take over the autonomy of Black bodies. These beliefs didn't disappear after the end of slavery and Jim Crow; they evolved into Black women being gaslit into believing that the best way to be was to be seen as strong and indestructible. 

This, of course, led to this belief being pushed by the media and culture, which has led to generations of Black families not being able to receive equitable health treatments. It is common for doctors and other medical staff to see a Black female patient and, before all else, make racist assumptions, even if they are subconsciously made. It is a direct impact of systematic racism. This leads to Black women not receiving the critical healthcare they are seeking. The pain they are feeling is often diminished, and they are more likely to be seen as “drug seekers” or exaggerating. This is commonly seen in the high death rates of Black women who give birth. 

Black women have also learned from this not to seek medical help. After centuries of being told our pain is not real, or that we can handle anything, you learn to save yourself from more racism than we already deal with. It leads to the worsening of symptoms and sometimes even death. Allies and doctors can help change this by listening and accepting the report of symptoms without judgment or doubt. 

Share stories and research! Amplify Black voices without speaking for them! Speak up when you witness discriminatory behaviors in healthcare settings. Invite Black women to support groups or calls. You can also educate yourself on the history of racial stereotypes of the “strong Black woman,” medical racism, and disparities in chronic illness care. Black women don't have to prove our strength, we’ve done that by surviving and thriving for centuries. Just like anyone else we should be allowed to feel safe when asking for support.