The CHAIM Centre’s Black History Month Curated Reading List

​The CHAIM Centre recognizes that the month of February celebrates Black excellence and resilience. At the same time, we are aware that systemic racism remains a pervasive issue in our society, with serious implications for the health of Black Canadians.  This month and every month, as a research centre whose goal is to advance health research and its application to health care accessibility across Canada, we stand in alliance with Black students, colleagues, and community members to bring about the fundamental changes needed for a just and equitable society.

In recognition of Black History Month, our team has compiled a reading list of articles that we personally found compelling on the topic of Black health and wellness. Many (but not all) of these articles focus on a Canadian perspective.

‘It just weighs on your psyche’: Black Americans on mental health, trauma, and resilience  By: Crystal Milner
An article featuring photos and interviews of Black Americans and their experiences and perspectives surrounding COVID, police brutality, and most importantly resilience.

Police Brutality in Canada: A Symptom of Structural Racism and Colonial Violence By: Krista Stelkia 
This article by the Yellowhead Institute discusses how police brutality against Black and Indigenous people is the result of structural racism in Canadian society and the roles that policy, data, and solidarity have to play in holding our systems accountable.

Untangling racism: Stress reactions in response to variations of racism against Black Canadians By: Kimberly Matheson et al.
This academic article considers various aspects of the racism (e.g., extent of ambiguity or violence) that is encountered by Black Canadians, and the implications for stress-related emotional reactions, such as distress or anger. These emotional reactions have implications for vulnerability or resilience to depressive symptoms.

Beyond Allyship: Motivations for Advantaged Group Members to Engage in Action for Disadvantaged Groups By: Helena Radke et al.
Why do Whites participate in the BLM movement? There are several motivations for such allied action, some of which are authentic, and some that give rise to greater tension. This article reviews the research to understand the actions of allies.

Taking Black Pain Seriously By: Oluwafunmilayo Akinlade
Centering on the issue of pain treatment, this article from the New England Journal of Medicine is compelling, readable, and effectively illustrates the connection between the history of medical racism and current healthcare outcomes for Black patients.

The Impact of COVID-19 on Black Canadians By: The African-Canadian Civic Engagement Council and Innovative Research Group 
The data in this report paints a clear and urgent picture of the disproportionate impact that the pandemic is having on Black communities in Canada, examining both health and financial trends related to COVID-19.

Black History Month: Food For Thought (It’s Not What You Think) By: Jessica DeGore
This article discusses emancipation in the American south, traditionally ‘poor’ southern food and how freedom affects cuisine. It explores how Black people throughout history used food and simple ingredients to create staples that persist today.

Stop Whitewashing Our National History By: Tayo Bero
Published in summer 2020, this article explores how Canada's failure to reckon with its historical mistreatment of Black and Indigenous people prevents us from addressing the racism embedded in Canadian society.

Reparations as a Public Health Priority: A Strategy for Ending Black–White Health Disparities By: Mary T Bassett and Sandro Galea
This article discusses the roots of the Black-White health gap in America, how this impacts access to medical resources,  and how reparations could be leveraged to address this major disparity.

Let's Talk: Whiteness and Health Equity By: National Collaborating Centre for Determinants of Health
Aimed at a public health audience, this publication explains how "the practices, policies and perspectives that create and enable the dominance of White people, norms and culture" impacts the health of all Canadians, and presents strategies for disrupting Whiteness at the individual, institutional, and systemic levels to increase health equity.

Urban renewal has displaced Black communities in Canada in the past. Can getting involved early in the planning stop it from happening again? By: Donovan Vincent
This article discusses the impact that current and historical gentrification has had on Black communities in Canada. A group of experts weigh in on strategies to mitigate its effects.
​
​
More Resources: 
A free 30-day course on allyship with prompts and reflections to act and think in solidarity with Black women. 

---