Evansville ralliers: 'Health is a human right, not a privilege to be protested'

EVANSVILLE, Ind. — Healthcare workers across the country have been holding "white coats for black lives" rallies to address racial bias in the medical field, and on Saturday, local medical students led one in Evansville. 

A group of doctors, nurses and students met at the Four Freedom monument in the morning before marching to the Civic Center. 

"Black people face significant barriers in access to and in quality of healthcare. This problem is not rooted in physiology but is a problem rooted in generations of systematic racism," Livia Hopper said during the rally. 

"We are here today to call for the end of racist and discriminatory practices in healthcare organizations," she said. "These changes have been necessary for generations and we are the generation that will see these changes through."

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Speakers discussed how racism within the medical field is having dire consequences on communities of color.

“Health is a human right, not a privilege to be protested," speaker Melissa Morehead said.

"Data shows that people who look like me will die from a systemic issue rather than that of natural causes."  

Other speakers at the event highlighted how black people died at much higher rates from COVID-19. 

"There's a lot of disparities in medicine for the black community, and we wanted to say we recognize that, and we want to change that," organizer Magdalena Barajas. 

"By being here today, we're showing we're willing to listen, and we want to change how medicine is and make it a lot better for them."

The event delved into the consequences black people face due to systematic racism and inequality. 

Morehead outlined examples such as how black communities are more polluted leading to black children being three times as likely as likely to develop asthma compared to white children. 

Activists often point to Flint, Michigan, as one of the biggest examples of environmental racism. The mainly black community saw issues with their water in 2014, and there weren't improvements for five years. In that time, health effects such as developmental delays were documented in children. 

Morehead said the culmination of structural inequalities plus lack of access to healthcare and resources are resulting in these disparities. 

Students at the event said as they prepare to enter the healthcare field, they are determined to change these disparities.  

"Across the country, people in black communities have felt a huge need due to COVID-19, and then to add additional injustices on top of that has added a deeper cut to this hurt that's already been there. We wanted to say we recognize all that, and we're ready to change for you," Barajas. said. 

Protesters in the crowd held signs that read "racism kills our patients" and "racism is not a difference of opinion." They chanted as they marched, and once they reached the Civic Center, keeled in unison for a moment of silence. 

Their message was one of hope that they could make change happen in their field. 

Morehead said its time for that change to happen, and more people need to recognize these issues. 

“Voices need to be heard, and people need to be seen," Morehead said. "Now is the time. It is real — healthcare issues among people of color, black people, black women. And it’s time they are addressed," Morehead said.