The Who We Are Project

The Myth of Black Bodies as Superhuman & Subhuman at the Same Time During Robert F. Kennedy Jr’s recent Health and Human Services confirmation, comments he made in a 2021 panel discussion resurfaced. He said, "We should not be giving Black people the same vaccine schedule that's given to whites because their immune system is better than ours." United States Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. He doubled down during the hearing claiming, “Blacks need fewer antigens,” a claim not supported by evidence and refuted by experts in the field. According to one NIH study, “Infectious disease mortality among Blacks is higher than among whites, with a relative risk of 1.53 after adjustment for age and sex and 1.34 after further adjustment for income and education. Death from infectious diseases contributed to 9.3% of the difference in all-cause mortality. “In the United States, infectious diseases account for nearly 10% of the excess all-cause mortality rates in Blacks compared with Whites.” These disparities are socially constructed, not biologically determined. Racist myths about Black bodies as “superhuman” have long led to devastating outcomes for Black people when it comes to scientific research and medical care. According to a 2013 study in “The American Medical Association Journal of Ethics, Black and Hispanic people — from children who needed adenoidectomies or tonsillectomies to elders in hospice care — received inadequate pain management compared with white counterparts.” – The New York Times “A 2016 survey of 222 white medical students and residents published in The Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences showed that half of them endorsed at least one myth about physiological differences between black people and white people, including that black people’s nerve endings are less sensitive than white people’s.” The New York Times A 2020 study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences found that Black babies were three times more likely to die when cared for by white doctors. The study also found that this disparity was cut in half when Black babies were cared for by Black doctors. Myths about Black bodies as superhuman and subhuman have consequences. So do decisions to hire people into public health leadership positions who are ignorant about this information and call them “merit hires.” Sources: https://lnkd.in/gxVvzyct https://lnkd.in/gBvyjBS9. https://lnkd.in/gjMSVpUT https://lnkd.in/eV7bjRv

What Are Illegal Protests? In a Truth Social post on March 4, 2025, timed on a day of planned nationwide protest, President Trump says he will cut federal funding to any Universities that allow American students to participate in “illegal” protests. Is this an illegal protest? [painting of the Boston Tea Party] How about this? [picture of Civil Rights marchers with "Give Me Freedom or Give Me Death" signs] Or this? [picture of Jan. 6th insurrectionists] The first amendment protects free speech, stating, “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.” Source: Written by Diana Cherry Graphic Design by Juliette Hemingway https://lnkd.in/dnk5qzqT

An excerpt from “DEI is not ‘overreach.’ Our efforts haven’t gone far enough” by Dr. Ben Danielson for The Seattle Times “…It is so disappointing to see how quickly organizations and institutions have preemptively abandoned equity language and programs even before the bullying tactics of these executive edicts are deemed enforceable. Preemptive abandonment sends a chilling message to those facing the greatest threats today and encourages the bullies to keep bullying. Besides, anyone who thinks appeasement will keep them off the threat list is kidding themselves. I appeal to everyone to be guided by your conscience, ancestral wisdom, evidence, common sense and compassion. This blizzard of hatred from our highest government office is also a test. How we respond today — through gathering, legal action, vocal protest, resistance — will say much about who we are as individuals and as communities. We will need to look at ourselves in the mirror for the rest of our days." For the full piece, please see the link below. https://lnkd.in/gWnMEgiT.

What is the Bystander Effect? The “bystander effect”, also known as the “genovese syndrome” is named after the horrific, public brutalization and murder of Kitty Genovese in 1964. At least 38 onlookers watched as she was stabbed to death. During a Coeur d’Alene town hall on February 22, 2025, three men dressed in civilian clothes who refused to identify themselves (one brandishing a gun) demanded Idaho woman, Teresa Borrenpohl leave the meeting after being “disruptive”. Over 450 town hall attendees (some visibly upset and vocal) ultimately stood by as she was assaulted and forcibly dragged off. After the Genovese murder in 1964, social scientists, horrified by the incident, spent years researching why so many people stood by and did nothing. Here’s what they concluded: Why do so many people so often do nothing? #1 Apathy in Numbers The more people are around to help, the less likely any one person is to actually help. #2 Group Think When people are in a group, they feel less personally and individually responsible to act. #3 Situational Ambiguity When a situation feels unclear or unreal (especially when stakes are high or the event(s) are shocking), people are less likely to take immediate action. What would you do when confronted with a situation like this? How do you know? The time to think about it and make a plan is now. Written by Diana Cherry Designed by Juliette Hemingway Sources: https://lnkd.in/gJVavVBJ https://lnkd.in/gwbuhMPx https://lnkd.in/gKaqWyuz https://lnkd.in/gUbrkUiN

What are Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs)? Historically Black Colleges and Universities (often called HBCUs) are defined by the Higher Education Act of 1965 as, “…any historically black college or university that was established prior to 1964, whose principal mission was, and is, the education of black Americans, and that is accredited by a nationally recognized accrediting agency or association determined by the Secretary [of Education]…” —National Museum of African American History and Culture Most HBCU’s in the United States were established between 1861 and 1900. In fact, over ninety, including Morehouse and Howard University were established during that time. Their goal: To prepare Black teachers and preachers for service during a time when American Universities still barred Black students from entry. HBCUs have a long history in the U.S., providing Black students (and now any student who attends) with a rich and vibrant cultural and academic experience. Many early American Black leaders attended HBCU’s including: W.E.B. Du Bois, Ida B. Wells, Booker T. Washington and Martin Luther King Jr. Written by Diana Cherry Designed by Juliette Hemingway Sources: https://lnkd.in/g6Yt-Kz4 https://lnkd.in/evjMz5u5 https://lnkd.in/eNbJpsPz

The Black History of Altadena, California From January 7 to January 31, the Eaton Canyon fire ravaged Southern California, but especially devastated the historically Black neighborhood of Altadena. Since then, locals have using the same slogan at protests, restaurants, and online: “Altadena is not for sale.” Many Black families flocked to Altadena in the 1960’s and 1970’s, during the Great Migration. Due to redlining, restrictive covenants, and blockbusting, it was one of the few areas in the nation where Black people could purchase property. Eighteen percent of Altadena’s 42,846 residents are Black. 17 people reported dead more than 14,000 acres have burned 9,400 structures damaged 4,700 homes destroyed "Altadena represented prosperity. It represented joy. It represented unity and Black excellence. And for that to all burn to pieces, it's just absolutely devastating, it's like, if a history book just lit on fire. This is a history that is deep." —Richard Craven, Altadena resident. — CBS News “As of 2023, 81% of Black residents in Altadena owned their homes – nearly double the national average.” — The Guardian “If you was up here and looking at it, you would think it was a war zone. I can’t believe it myself, all the devastation that I see around me.” — 72-year-old Altadena resident Jacqueline Charles, who lost her home in the fires. — The Guardian Written by Diana Cherry Designed by Juliette Hemingway Sources: https://lnkd.in/gRVpXdzt https://lnkd.in/giaMhVRH https://lnkd.in/g3guGT8X

“Those who have no record of what their forebears have accomplished lost the inspiration which comes from the teaching of biography and history.” –Dr. Carter G. Woodson

Who Were the Tuskegee Airmen? Recently, the U.S. military came under fire for scrubbing training videos featuring the Tuskegee airmen from training at their base in San Antonio. The Tuskegee airmen were the nation’s first all-Black military squadron, “shattering racial barriers and racist beliefs about the capabilities of Black pilots” during WWII. –Associated Press Over 1,000 Black pilots were trained at Tuskegee airbase in Tuskegee, Alabama. The combined units that made up the Tuskegee airmen units had one of the lowest loss records of all the escort fighter groups – they were soon in constant demand by the allied bomber units during their service from 1941-1946. Despite their exemplary performance, they faced significant discrimination during and after their service in WWII. During their service, they played a crucial role in fighting military segregation. Over 100 officers of the all-Black 477th Bombardment Group were arrested at the Tuskegee airbase after they refused to sign an order forcing continued segregation of Black soldiers in the war. The tactics they used to advocate for integration on base were later adopted by Civil Rights activists in the Civil Rights movement. Written by Diana Cherry Designed by Juliette Hemingway Sources: https://lnkd.in/g_yucuEg https://lnkd.in/g5Pk7ZHD

Black Artists Invented Country Music Familiar complaints about Black people and country music emerged this month after Beyonce was awarded Album of the Year at the 2025 Grammys. Many critical of Beyonce have argued that her music shouldn’t be considered country, reigniting an age-old debate about Black people and country music. The fact is, country music has a long, storied and Black history. Country music owes much of its influences to African music and instruments, which enslaved people brought with them when they were trafficked to the United States. Most notably, the banjo, which is derived from African instruments. Much like jazz and rock, much of country music is appropriated from African music. What’s worse, this music was popularized during post-Civil War era minstrel shows. Any music called “American” owes its creation to Black music. There is no “American” music without Black music. So why don’t Americans often associate country music with Black artists? That is a question best asked of industry executives and music producers. Written by Diana Cherry Designed by Juliette Hemingway Sources: https://lnkd.in/gnwA_-Z6

“If you are scared by what you see happening around you right now, you have every right to be. The early actions of this administration have been, and are intended to be, cruel, chaotic, and confusing, and to stretch the limits of our institutions, to their breaking points wherever possible.” – Jeffery Robinson, founder and CEO, The Who We Are Project To subscribe to our newsletter and watch the full statement, link in bio.