MPC Member Publications

This database contains a listing of population studies publications written by MPC Members. Anyone can add a publication by an MPC student, faculty, or staff member to this database; new citations will be reviewed and approved by MPC administrators.

Full Citation

Title: Older Black Americans’ Perspectives on Structural Racism—Resilience as a Form of Resistance

Citation Type: Journal Article

Publication Year: 2023

ISBN: 0123456789

ISSN: 2196-8837

DOI: 10.1007/S40615-023-01870-5

Abstract: The purpose of this study was to develop a deep understanding of the lived experiences of structural racism and discrimination among older Black Americans’ and their perceptions of structural racism across their lives. We also considered individual and community resilience capacity and response in the face of systemic racism. In-depth interviews were conducted with Black community–dwelling adults aged 55 and older in and around Baltimore City. The interview guide used nine contexts to explore perceptions and experiences with structural racism over the life course. Two researchers used reflexive thematic analysis to code and analyze the data. Participants endorsed structural racism to varying degrees across contexts of education, employment, neighborhood, healthcare, and income/wealth. Participants who denied structural racism placed blame for Black underachievement on factors such as personal and community deficiencies, unsafe neighborhoods, and institutional indifference. There was broad agreement about the existence of structural racism within the domains of policing and violence but participants were largely ambivalent about other domains such as environment, media, and civics. Resilience factors that helped individuals to resist and rebound from racism emerged as an unexpected and important theme. We used Public Health Critical Race Praxis and the Cells to Society frameworks to contextualize these findings. Due to the ubiquitous nature of racism, individuals may not fully appreciate the impact of structural racism and its impact on Black well-being. This ordinariness of racism is harmful but may simultaneously contribute to resilience within Baltimore’s Black community.

Url: https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s40615-023-01870-5

User Submitted?: No

Authors: Bergman, Alanna J; Szanton, Sarah L; Lafave, Sarah E; Shekinah, ·; Fashaw-Walters, A; Taylor, Janiece L; Thorpe, Roland J; Nkimbeng, Manka

Periodical (Full): Journal of Racial and Ethnic Health Disparities 2023

Issue:

Volume:

Pages: 1-11

Countries:

IPUMS NHGIS NAPP IHIS ATUS Terrapop