Black Health Matters: Safe Spaces to Exist and Thrive

Healthline ^ | January 29, 2021 | Akilah Cadet

[Callnote]

This is Black Health Matters, a series shedding light on the health realities of Black people in America. Akilah Cadet, DHSc, MPH, in partnership with Healthline, aims to educate about inequities to inspire a world where everyone can attain their full health potential, regardless of the color of their skin.

Imagine living in a constant state of stress.

You repeatedly ask people not to touch your hair. You pretend it’s not hurtful when people say “you talk white.”

[Born in 1950]

“Repeatedly ask” “pretend it’s not hurtful”

It’s true, all that famous self restraint can take its toll.

[Rurudyne]

Imagine being whipped up into a constant state of stress by your race ideology which you inflict on yourself?

Imagine nursing bitterness and anger in your heart against others only to experience the rottenness of soul that comes from being bitter … even as the wound you are inflicting on yourself does no harm to those you despise?

There are no safe spaces when your real enemy, the one who is really harming you and teaching your kids to do likewise, is looking back at you in the mirror.

[Gay State Conservative]

I've traveled quite extensively in Africa.Of course I'm a million light years from being an expert on Africa's population but I have interacted with a number of *African* Africans. Most of these Africans have struck me as the type of people who would make excellent US citizens who would kiss the ground upon arrival in this country and once here would work damn hard and not even *think* about complaining about how terrible this country is.

And as for "safe spaces" every one of them would say "damn it,this country is one huge safe space!"

[BradyLS]

From the article:

The power of community

This is what makes community so essential for Black people. We need a space where we’re safe to exist.

The physical, social, and economic conditions that affect well-being, known as the social determinants of healthTrusted Source, outline the importance of community and social context.

These factors include:

• Positive relationships at home, work, and in the wider community

• High rates of civic engagement and advocacy

• Environments free from discrimination

• Low rates of incarceration and policing(Emphasis added)

I see. Among other things, the author is advocating for legally-recognized No-Go Zones for blacks.

[Gay State Conservative]

[Bogle]

I once picked up a leaflet on “white privilege” out of curiosity. I read as far as... blacks must walk further to get their hair products at a drug store... and quit reading.

[Secret Agent Man]

I do not have to imagine living in a constant state of stress.

[Hawleyish]

I have been hearing this fable for years.... white people wanting to touch black people’s hair. Nobody I know has the slightest desire to touch the hair.

[Hawleyish]

I have been hearing this fable for years.... white people wanting to touch black people’s hair. Nobody I know has the slightest desire to touch the hair.

[sunny bonobo]

Just last night me and all my white friends went out into the local black community and went on a black hair touching spree. I mean, that’s all we’ve dreamed about forever, to touch some black hair.
What is it with black people and the obsession with their “special” hair?

[Tupelo]

” I do not have to imagine living in a constant state of stress.”

That is why I have no black friends anymore and I avoid being around black people in general. I cannot take the stress of constantly walking on eggshells, watching every word or phrase. Even when speaking with others.
No thank you

[BookmanTheJanitor]

Black Fragility

[Do_Tar]

> Nobody I know has the slightest desire to touch the hair.

Why don’t you want to touch it?
Does it disgust you?
RACISS!!!

[Harmless Teddy Bear]

You repeatedly ask people not to touch your hair. You pretend it's not hurtful when people say “you talk white.”

Lived all over the world.

Had a bunch of people touch my hair. Mostly because I was the first person they had seen with hair like mine.

It annoyed me as a child.

But when I became an adult (or more accurately, a teen) I put away childish things.

Something this person would be advised to do.

And who the heck says “you talk white.”? Sounds like something a black person would say.

So tell them to shut up.

[Carriage Hill]

Quit living in the past — slavery’s long over and gone — or you’ll have no present and no future.

[BradyLS]

Not even Sleepy Joe does that. And hair-sniffin’-an’-touchin’ is one of his most favoritest pastimes!

[sumuam]

With all the problems these people face, they worry about hair, skin color of other blacks, white people won’t pay attention to them, what white people eat, the food is too bland, etc, etc..;

Some kids were always touching my hair, because it was long.

Some would even maliciously put gum in it. I’d get home, and my mom would see huge knot and take it out with grease. Some kids were mean, some kids were nice. That’s life.

They’re like children constantly whining for attention. It’s a constant pounding everyday on the internet.

[chief lee runamok]

"You repeatedly ask people not to touch your hair."

The only known serial hair toucher/sniffer is current puppet president.

[metmom]

Oh, for crying out loud.

I don’t know anyone who goes around wanting to touch anyone else’s hair.

I have no desire to handle someone else’s hair. You never know how clean it is or what might be living in it.