13 2.5: The Importance of Recognizing and Addressing Racism

Understanding the various forms of anti-Black racism, from subtle microaggressions to overt macroaggressions, is essential for creating a more inclusive and equitable environment, particularly in healthcare and dietetics. By recognizing these behaviours and actively working to challenge them, dietitians and other healthcare professionals can foster spaces that support and validate the experiences of Black individuals.

It is also important to recognize that these forms of racism can have far-reaching effects on health outcomes. The psychological and emotional toll of repeatedly facing microaggressions can contribute to chronic stress, which has been linked to numerous negative health outcomes, including hypertension, anxiety, and depression (Brondolo, Rieppi, Kelly & Gerin, 2003; Hall & Fields, 2012; Nadal, et. al, 2020). In the healthcare context, failure to address the cultural needs and lived experiences of Black clients can lead to disparities in care and exacerbate existing health inequities.

Creating culturally safe spaces involves not only acknowledging these experiences but also actively working to dismantle the systems and behaviours that perpetuate them. This requires ongoing education, self-reflection, and the willingness to challenge discriminatory practices within dietetics and beyond.