Colorism is the practice of discrimination by which those with lighter skin are treated more favorably than those with darker skin and it happens both between racial communities and within them. Steeped in historical context, this racist behavior upholds white standards of beauty and benefits white people in institutions of oppression such as the media and in healthcare.
The discussion of colorism is a continuation of the Ohio Academy of Family Physicians’ (OAFP) Health Equity & Social Justice Discussion Club and will dive into the undeniable impact that this discriminatory practice has on the health of our patients of color and on the medical community as a whole. The OAFP has created a curated collection of virtual content for you to access which includes links to articles, podcasts, quick videos, feature-length films, and much more. Choose as many resources as you like to immerse yourself into the cultural conversation of colorism. Physicians who wish to explore and dive into a deeper understanding into the physical and mental health impacts of colorism have several routes to embrace the virtual content.
Option 1: Utilize the Participant Resource Guide and follow the three-step process for awareness building and action planning around this important social justice topic. Participants are encouraged to work through the material at a pace of their choosing.
Option 2: Participants may pick-and-choose which materials they want to consume from the full list of Resources on Colorism and self-study. There are plenty of options to choose from!
Option 3: Members may join their peers for a discussion on the issue of colorism on Thursday, July 15, at 7:30 p.m. with moderator Karin Small Wurapa, MD, MPH.
This club is a safe and respectful virtual space where members can participate through guided conversations. This session on colorism will provide participants a unique opportunity for insightful reflection and open minded sharing.
Register today and then join the conversation to better understand:
- Why colorism is so widespread but not often talked about
- How colorism impacts our patients of color and the medical community as a whole
- What are some actions to take around challenging and ending colorism, and much more.
This session will take place via Zoom, registration is free and open to all OAFP members as a benefit of membership.
Additional information can be found on the OAFP website or by contacting Deputy Executive Vice President Kate Mahler, CAE.