Discrimination can seem like an uncomfortable topic for some, however sometimes the uncomfortable conversations are the ones worth having. The horrific incidents of the shootings of George Floyd (46 years old), Breonna Taylor (26 years old) and countless others have shed light on the harsh reality of the consequences of racial discrimination. Although it may seem like the extreme cases, these are the fruition of prejudices and discrimination that seem to be the undercurrent of a lot of societies. This article will be taking a look at all kinds of racism, from the ‘subtle’ racism that may go unnoticed by some, to the more aggressive forms of racism and societal/cultural discrimination, to see their effects on wellbeing across the board.
RACISM
Racism can be defined as:
- Prejudice, discrimination, or antagonism directed against someone of a different race based on the belief that one’s race is superior.
- The belief that the whole of a race possesses characteristics, abilities, qualities specific to that race.
- Racism can also be described as organised systems within societies that cause unfair inequalities in power, resources, capacities and opportunities across racial or ethnic groups.
On the most subtle level, discrimination can be described as passing comments based on a person’s race, bullying of individual races and/or fear of someone due to a preconceived idea of their race. These ‘subtle’ racist ideas can cause someone dealing with them to feel annoyed, hurt and inferior. At its most aggressive, racism can be violent, controlling and life-threatening — and be inbuilt into the system, causing socio-economic divides.
So what effect do these behaviours have on someone who is dealing with racism day-to-day? Can what people say to one another affect mental health and physical health? Can things like systemic racism cause low self-worth and depression? Let’s take a closer look together.
MENTAL HEALTH
There is evidence that shows that discrimination is a stressor, both in its aggressively overt forms and as ‘micro-aggressions’. Where there is an awareness of being treated and responded to unfairly due to the perception of race. Such as: being feared, avoided, or verbally abused.
Stress itself is linked to things like anxiety, depression and will affect your mental and physical health in the long term. So it’s no doubt when someone is receiving any kind of hostility towards them due to their race (including micro-aggression) that the stress hormone cortisol will be released — logically leading to things such as anxiety, headaches, memory and concentration problems, trouble sleeping etc.
Also, Dr Ramani talks about the circles of racism: cultural stereotypes, institutions such as schools, healthcare, law enforcement, judicial systems, then the individual experiences such as micro-aggressions, and the more “in-your-face insults”. She goes on to talk of studies have been done over long periods, displaying the effects of all these circles on people, particularly Black people’s overall mental and physical health. The results of these studies manifesting depression, anxiety, PTSD, inducing feelings of helplessness, powerlessness, hopelessness. Therefore, it potentially leads to coping mechanisms such as substance abuse, further affecting health.
PHYSICAL HEALTH
Dr Ramani goes on to point out the difference in effects of COVID-19 on lower-income communities, particularly lower-income communities of colour; they are more likely to suffer severe symptoms. She states that it has nothing to do with genetics, and can be completely avoidable. She further talks of the fact a lot of these communities were our key workers, dealing with high stress, continuing on public transport, and NHS workers that were dealing with the stress of being in contact with the pandemic. Not to mention the socio-economic issue that lower-income communities of colour cannot fund healthcare, especially in the USA. Dr Ramani finishes by saying ardently “discrimination is bad for people’s health!”
SYSTEMIC RACISM
Systemic racism can cause a range of health problems too. Just a quick look at a few UK statistics tells us everything we need to know about the flaws within the system: Pakistani or Bangladeshi and Black adults are more likely to live in substandard accommodation than White people. Unemployment rates were significantly higher for ethnic minorities at 12.9% compared with 6.3% for White people and Black workers with degrees earn 23.1% less on average than White workers. Thus, affecting wellbeing across the board as a kind of knock-on-affect:
- Reduced access to employment, housing and education can lead to low income, homelessness and effect financial wellbeing.
- Thus leading to diminished participation in healthy behaviours, e.g. sleep, proper diet and exercise as some of these can cost money.
- And/or increased engagement in unhealthy behaviours (e.g. alcohol consumption) either directly as a stress-coping mechanism, or indirectly.
- Physical injury as a result of racially-motivated violence — causing things like Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.
This is usually the part of the article where I would put the heading: What you Can Do About It and list ways to promote health and wellbeing. However, that doesn’t feel right here, as these are monumental issues that will take time for society to overcome. The only points I will say is to listen to one another non-defensively, as to continue these conversations about race and how to make things better. So that these conversations can lead to better awareness, and changes in our governments and our societies, that create opportunities and wellness for all communities of colour. And if you suffer due to discrimination, speak up and further spread the awareness and seek the help of a professional who is aware of the effects of racism on your mental and physical wellness via the NHS. There are some coping mechanisms, such as mindfulness meditation and yoga that can help with the stress of discrimination. However, it is my greatest hope that we are moving towards a place where there won’t be a need to ‘cope’ with racism and oppression any longer.
Written by Jacqueline Renouard
Jacqueline Renouard is a Film and TV Production graduate with a passion for self-improvement. Her passion extends to researching psychology, nutrition and wellbeing through her 8-year yoga and meditation practice, and writing across many different styles.
