This Is Public Health Book Club discussion

For this discussion, we are going over Chapters 8 through 10. Please see below for a list of discussion questions to reflect on after reading.

Ch. 8: The Same Sky

This chapter discusses climate change, pollution, and how communities of color are disproportionately impacted by environmental hazards compared to White communities.

Discussion Questions:

How does racial inequity intersect with environmental issues? Why are communities of color often at the frontlines of environmental challenges and hazards? How could address environmental injustices benefit society and public health as a whole?

Ch. 9 The Hidden Wound

This chapter argues that racism has caused psychological harm not only to historically marginalized communities of color, but to White communities as well.

Discussion Questions:

What does the author mean by the “hidden wound” that racism inflicts on White Americans? How does this impact today’s events after the election results? How might acknowledging this hidden wound contribute to healing and to fostering a more inclusive society that is less politically polarized?

Ch. 10: The Solidarity Dividend

This chapter introduces the concept of the “solidarity dividend”. The author defines this as the benefits we all gain from working together across racial lines.

Discussion Questions:

What are some examples from your own life of the solidarity dividend (moments when working together across divisions resulted in benefits for everyone)? How can we encourage more people to embrace this idea as public health advocates?

Let us know what you think in the comments below!