From the Director…
Welcome to a new academic year!
So many of you work in the field of public health and you have been laboring extremely long hours on a non-stop basis for more than a year. Thank you for the important work you do. Nearly everyone with whom I have spoken feels mentally and physically exhausted. Please take the time needed to care for yourself even while carrying out this important work. You deserve it and we all benefit from it.
Some of you have suffered very deep losses over the past year and a half. Some are suffering now. Those who come from the communities impacted most by COVID, natural disasters and racism carry an especially heavy burden. I send my condolences and encouragement. Some of you are struggling with mental health issues, addiction or other threats to well-being. Do not hesitate to access the resources intended for people who are facing these challenges.
Classes are being held in person, but uncertainty still abounds. So, let us enjoy the simple pleasures to which we now have access mindful that our access may change as the pandemic continues to unfold.
The center was established to promote connections with one another as we struggle collectively to manifest a world we know is possible. What have you been doing? What research have you conducted? What help do you need? Share with us all! We are eager to learn about it. Please let us know if you have findings or resources, including time, to share.
Monday, Oct. 11, 2021 is Indigenous People’s Day and it also marks the anniversary of the center’s launch. We will be closed in acknowledgement of this long overdue holiday. In lieu of working, please consider reading the excellent articles on the COVID pandemic and Indigenous populations in a pair of special issues published in the American Indian Culture and Research Journal and available here.
This year the center will be busy and we hope you’ll get involved. This quarter, look for the panel presentation from our COVID Task Force on Racism & Equity, the quarterly distinguished speakers series, the anti-colonialism collective book club and much more. Also, if you plan to attend the annual meeting of the American Public Health Association (APHA), please join the Public Health Nursing Caucus’ pre-conference institute. Looking forward to seeing you in the coming months. And, please visit us online by clicking here and follow us on Twitter at @RacialHealthEQ.
In struggle for health equity,
Chandra
Chandra L. Ford, PhD, MPH, MLIS
Professor and Founding Director
Center for the Study of Racism, Social Justice & Health
Department of Community Health Sciences
UCLA Fielding School of Public Health
