it’s hard out here…
It is far more difficult to practice personal harm reduction when mired in institutions that actively cause harm — this is why directly impacted people turn to activism and mutual aid to address social issues.
“To build a healthier America for all, we must confront the systems and policies that have resulted in the generational injustice that has given rise to racial and ethnic health inequities" - CDC Website
It’s important to see government recognition of this truth. But they are not the source of this truth. There are still political prisoners condemned to die in U.S. prisons for their involvement with the social movements that spoke truth to power many decades ago. If we want to achieve the goal of harm reduction, we need to honor that “the personal is political”, and listen to the political activists who risk their lives every day to stand up for the dignity and rights of their communities.
“Racism also deprives our nation and the scientific and medical community of the full breadth of talent, expertise, and perspectives needed to best address racial and ethnic health disparities.” - CDC Website
