Perspectives on Racism: Reflections on Our Collective Moral Responsibility When Leveraging Arts and Culture for Health Promotion.

TitlePerspectives on Racism: Reflections on Our Collective Moral Responsibility When Leveraging Arts and Culture for Health Promotion.
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication2021
AuthorsBurch SR
JournalHealth Promot Pract
Volume22
Issue1_suppl
Pagination12S-16S
Date Published2021 May
ISSN1524-8399
KeywordsHealth Equity, Health Promotion, Humans, Morals, Public Health, Racism
Abstract

In this commentary essay, I examine the collective moral responsibility of leveraging arts and culture for health promotion, and the role ethical storytelling can play in reframing how health educators promote "good health" with specific regard to the next generation of the workforce. I reflect on the impact of racism, White supremacy, and anti-Blackness when merging the arts and culture sector with public health disciplines, and close with a call to action as our niche field expands. I argue that no matter our role as artists, cultural workers, heritage holders, and/or focus within public health education and health promotion, our work is both an art and a science. Just as the language we use forms a story, the collection of scholars we choose to cite exposes a narrative. I hope this commentary encourages readers to reflect on opportunities in their work to close the health equity gap with recognition of the knowledge, skills, abilities, and capital within and across Black culture while also lifting up the community cultural wealth that exists in Indigenous, Latinx, and Asian and Pacific Islander communities.

DOI10.1177/1524839921996073
Alternate JournalHealth Promot Pract
PubMed ID33942647