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Malnourished children in Nigeria reaching out for food

Source: https://www.premiumtimesng.com/health/health-news/257431-malnutrition-worsens-nigeria-despite-govt-private-sector-efforts-report.html

Unfortunately, there were too many images depicting malnutrition to choose from. I wonder what this says about our society. There is enough food to go around the world, yet millions of children die every year due to not having enough to eat, or having an improper diet. Seeing images like the one above makes me feel incredibly sad. This picture in particular stood out to me because in it I see two malnourished children reaching out for food, but also desperately crying out for help. The emptiness of their hands say that their cries are being ignored. If these were the kids of government officials or celebrities, they would without a doubt be attended to. But these children are poor and “insignificant”. Why are their lives worth any less than anyone else’s? And who even gets to decide that? These are questions I often think about when it comes to human rights, and especially healthcare. The right to a healthy life is one of the basic human rights for children. Why isn’t anyone being held accountable to that standard?

The government certainly plays a role in addressing famine. A government is responsible for protecting its people, so if any portion of the population is affected by famine, then it is the government’s duty to tackle the issue. If the government lack the resources, it should seek help from outside governments. Public health providers can assist in this process. The least we can do is bring awareness to the issue. We should also assess the situation and help the government develop a solution to the problem. This may involve setting up programs and policies on nutritional interventions. Malnutrition is a major silent crisis that contributes to many deaths worldwide. It can lead to brain damage in children, as well as longer-lasting problems later in life. Malnutrition is entirely preventable, yet as a society we continuously fail to address it.

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An interpreter providing translation services to two refugees at the Hope Refugee Drop-In Center in Buffalo, NY

(Source: https://risecollaborative.com/rise/jericho-road-tour-hope-refugee-drop-in-center/)

I chose this image because it represents one of the largest barriers to refugee resettlement: language. Many refugees do not speak the language of the country they become resettled in, so it is hard for them to navigate and adjust to life there. In the United States, for example, there are so many services to navigate such as social services, public schools, child protective services, unemployment and disability, etc. Navigating these processes can be daunting even to an average English-speaking American. So for a refugee who is completely unfamiliar with the language and culture of the country, it presents even more of a challenge. Language barriers and illiteracy present barriers to seemingly simple tasks like paying bills and interacting with a landlord. Refugees could have their heating and electricity turned off because they cannot read the bill. Their children might miss out on a full year of school because they were not able to enroll them on time. They might refrain from seeking healthcare because they are afraid the doctors won’t understand them, or they don’t realize they have access to an interpreter. Some refugees may speak a very rare language, making it difficult to even find an interpreter.

I currently volunteer at a Refugee Clinic where I help newly arrived refugees in Philadelphia navigate the American healthcare system, change their insurance, and make primary care appointments. Most of the patients I work with do not speak English, so we almost always need a translator. I can tell you from experience that it can get very overwhelming, especially when trying to change something on their insurance. The insurance companies often want to speak directly to the refugee without any assistance from anyone else, except a translator. Even I’m not allowed to say anything. But if the refugee can’t explain something without my help, how will they know what to say to the translator? This runs us into a lot of problems and it can be very exhausting and time-consuming to deal with. I’m sure that many things get lost in translation or goes unmentioned. I can’t speak on the experience of refugees who face a language barrier, but I can imagine that it would feel like a loss to live in a country where you don’t understand anything. It puts you at a disadvantage, in addition to all of the other disadvantages that come with being a refugee. 

The role of a resettlement community is to welcome refugees, provide social support, and make sure their resettlement  process runs smoothly. Resettlement agencies, such as HIAS, offer case management to refugees and help them look for employment, enroll their kids in school, find housing, and all kinds of other things. They play a huge role in assisting refugees reach self-sufficiency. 

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“The Pennsylvania Slave Trade” historical marker is located in Penn’s Landing, which was the arrival point for captured slaves in Philadelphia. Charles L. Blockson, Curator Emeritus and Founder of the Charles L. Blockson Afro- American Collection at Temple University, researched and submitted an application for the State Historical Marker, approved by the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission and paid for by Mr. Blockson

Source: https://library.temple.edu/collections/blockson

I chose this picture because it reflects an important piece of our history. Philadelphia was home to slavery as early as 1684, when the first Africans arrived on the ship Isabella. This historical marker is a manifestation of historical trauma that continues to affect the African American population today. I cannot speak for African Americans and the trauma they face; I can only imagine what its like. The trauma of slavery is something I imagine doesn’t go away easily, especially considering no reparations were made.

Unfortunately, slavery is not accurately represented in the narrative of the birth of our nation. In many textbooks, it is briefly described and often written from a white man’s perspective. Even the wording can be misleading. In one of my MCAT practice passages, the passage literally described Africans as “immigrants” when they were brought to America during the slave trade. This insinuates that Africans made the choice to come here, when that is far from the truth. I think much of the sugar-coating of history has to do with the shame and embarrassment that many Americans (mostly white people) face when the past is brought up. However, that is doing a disservice to the people who actually went through the trauma. Their narratives deserve to be heard. That’s why I was particularly surprised by this historical marker because it mentions William Penn and other Quakers purchasing slaves. William Penn is considered the founding father of Pennsylvania, so to have his name associated with slavery is a pretty big deal. I believe it is a step in the right direction.

Although slavery was outlawed in 1865, racism and discrimination continued into the 1900’s with Jim Crow laws. And racism still exists today, even though many people like to claim that it doesn’t. It astonishes me when people say that racism is dead, when we still had racist laws in place not too long ago. Jim Crow laws weren’t banned until 1965. That is so recent! I know many people who were alive at that time. Does that mean racist people suddenly stopped being racist in 1965? Many of these people are still alive today. So practically speaking, yes, racism still exists.

Philadelphia is a very segregated city. If you look at a map of Philly and see where most black people live compared to where white people live, and which areas are more affluent vs. low-income, I think the segregation is pretty obvious. Philadelphia has a history of redlining, which was the racist mapping of neighborhoods where mortgages were withheld. The federal government encouraged mortgage lenders to withhold credit from older urban neighborhoods, immigrant communities and areas where African-Americans or other people of color lived. This prevented a lot of black residents from buying houses outside black neighborhoods. This continues to affect the equity wealth and property ownership of black Philadelphians today. If your parents and your grandparents never owned a house, you’re already at a disadvantage.

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Students at the University of Pennsylvania march across campus for Take Back the Night, an annual event hosted by Abuse and Sexual Assault Prevention 

Source: https://www.thedp.com/article/2016/04/take-back-the-night-2016

The picture I chose depicts a rally on Penn’s campus that takes place every year, called “Take Back the Night”. It is a peaceful protest organized by Abuse and Sexual Assault Prevention, and involves a march across campus and a speak-out where survivors of sexual assault share their stories. The rally is an effort to combat sexual violence and erase the stigma attached to speaking about sexual violence. Although sexual assault is not strictly a women’s issue, women are disproportionately affected. Unfortunately, sexual assault is a common problem worldwide, and often occurs on college campuses. In the United States, many sex offenders often get away with their crimes and victims of sexual assault are not taken seriously, which perpetuates the stigma and does not help to reduce the crime.

I think protecting women’s rights is a collective effort. Men must advocate for it as well because they are half the population. Power and authority play a significant role. If the justice system does not hold perpetrators accountable for their actions against women, then it is likely to continue happening. No woman deserves to be assaulted, let alone sexually assaulted. When our very own President speaks about women’s body parts as if they are objects for pleasure, it causes a lot of damage because it legitimizes objectification and violence against women. People in authority should especially be held accountable for protecting the rights of women.

Women in the United States have certain rights that other people in the world don’t have, such as the right to vote, education, and various forms of autonomy. Despite this, I don’t think the current political climate is the the most beneficial for women’s rights. This administration does not seem to care much for women. What women can and cannot do with their bodies is still being controlled by rich white males. Even though the US prides itself on letting women wear whatever they want, women’s appearances are still dictated by cultural “norms”. For example, women who wear the hijab are often targeted in hate crimes and discriminated against for dressing too modestly. Trans women are also discriminated against for dressing in women’s clothing even though they might have male parts. Women certainly have rights in this country that are not afforded by other countries. However, there is also a false sense of freedom that we cannot ignore.

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An immigration protest at the Church of the Advocate with a sign in the middle that reads “Sanctuary Not Deportation”

Source: https://billypenn.com/2018/10/05/fighting-the-trauma-of-north-philly-gentrification-one-workshop-at-a-time/

The picture I chose to represent community healing in Philadelphia is an immigration protest inside the Church of the Advocate located at Diamond and 18th streets. In response to Trump’s discriminatory immigration policies, members of the community organized inside this church to protest and provide a sanctuary space for immigrants being affected by these policies. The sign in the middle of the church says “Sanctuary Not Deportation”. The church has indeed stood by this statement. When an undocumented family was denied asylum and faced deportation, the church took them in. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, which enforces border control, customs, trade and immigration, are dissuaded from enforcing its policies at “sensitive locations” like schools and places of worship because of the negative attention it will bring. 

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. once said, “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere. We are caught in an inescapable network of mutuality, tied in a single garment of destiny. Whatever affects one directly, affects all indirectly.” I think this quote captures the essence of this picture quite well because it shows people from all over the community, many of them who might not even be affected by the policies put forth by Trump, coming out to give support and stand in solidarity with one another. If it affects one person in their community, then it affects everyone. This picture represents just one of the ways this community came together to heal in response to injustices being faced by its community members. There are several manifestations of healing. While community members are the most important people in the healing process, the presence and support of government officials and powerful individuals certainly helps. Councilmember Helen Gym was at the forefront of the “sanctuary city” movement and has expressed support for the family taking refuge in the church. 

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The First Amendment engraved on a stone in front of Independence Hall in Philadelphia

Source: https://www.ernest-swift.com/usa/philadelphia/

The picture I chose depicting “religious freedom in Philadelphia” is somewhat unconventional. I considered choosing a picture showing the religious diversity of this city, since there are so many people of different backgrounds and religions that deserve to be highlighted. However, when I think of religious freedom, one of the things that comes to mind is the Constitution. The very first amendment of the Constitution states that, “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof.” In other words, people are free to practice their own religion. Furthermore, this was all concocted and written up right here in the City of Brotherly Love. In a sense, Philadelphia is the backdrop for religious freedom for our country, which is why I chose a picture of a carved stone with the first amendment engraved onto it, and Independence Hall in the background. Religious freedom has always been an important tenant of American society, and I feel quite proud that it started right here in Philadelphia.

If I was not given the opportunity to choose my own religion, I would feel stripped of my identity. As a practicing Muslim, my faith plays an important part in who I am. Not being able to practice would change the way I dress (hijab), my actions (not being able to worship or fast), and much more. For me, religion extends far beyond rituals. There is a spiritual component as well. So if I could not choose the religion I want to follow, then I would feel emotionally, mentally, and spiritually depleted.

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Children carrying jerry cans of water up the hill to Gasororo village in Rwanda 

Source: https://lightfootphoto.photoshelter.com/image/I0000CH.sTRFZ83I

An essential human right of children everywhere is access to clean water. I chose this picture of young boys carrying containers of water back to their village, looking very proud and happy. We often take for granted something as simple as water, but we forget that there are many people across the world that don’t have access to clean water or have to travel far to retrieve it. Water is a very basic but necessary part of life. Without it, we simply cannot live. Clean water is extremely important because water that is dirty or contaminated can lead to infections and disease, many of which can be very fatal. If water is a basic necessity of life, why are we not doing the most we can to provide children (the most vulnerable population in our society) with this basic right? Instead of a right, it’s become a privilege to have access to clean water.

I think Philadelphia can certainly do a better job in ensuring the human rights of children in Philadelphia. Compared to other cities, we do pretty well providing children with free lunches, etc. However, in terms of water, there are still many children living in homes that have lead-contaminated water pipes. Ingesting lead from water not only has harmful physical effects on the body, but also has disturbing cognitive impacts, such as lowering children’s IQ levels and impairing executive brain functions. Children are the future of our society, and it is our responsibility to take care of this population, since they are not able to do it on their own. By not providing them with clean water, we are putting millions of children’s lives at risk, and withholding them of a basic human right.

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Graffiti on a wall in southern Germany, reading, 'Refugees go home' 

Source: https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/passersby-cheer-during-attack-young-asylum-seekers-germany

In my opinion, the United States has always been a xenophobic nation. When the first European settlers came to America, they perceived themselves to be superior to Native Americans. As a result, many Native Americans were killed and forced out of their homes, out of the white man’s way (e.g. Trail of Tears). If the settlers had instead encountered white people, would things have turned out the way they did?

Then during the Transatlantic Slave Trade, white people forced millions of Africans out of their homes and brought them to America to be sold as slaves. Africans were seen as inferior and savage, similar to how Native Americans were viewed. A major shift occurred when black people were freed from slavery and fought for their own rights (and were granted them). This angered many white people because it meant that blacks were no longer inferior; they were at afforded the same rights as whites. It seems to white people, those who looked different were tolerated as long as they existed under their authority. But once they became equal, that’s when they became a threat.

I think the root of the problem is that white people have always felt superior and entitled relative to other cultures and ethnicities. From the moment colonists stepped foot on American soil, they believed everything was theirs. They wanted Native Americans to leave, conform, or suffer the consequences. Even George Washington himself believed that Native American society was inferior and he created a plan for “civilizing” them.

Xenophobia stems from ethnocentrism, the belief that one’s own culture and beliefs are correct and superior to that of others. The United States has always been an ethnocentric society. It’s in the fabric of our culture. Even today, the United States acts as an imperialistic state towards certain other countries to exercise that sense of superiority. I think what makes a lot of white people upset is that so many immigrants are coming to “their” land and becoming successful while many white people are still low income and are barely surviving. It threatens their sense of superiority. 

The media certainly plays a big role in combatting xenophobia. Mass media is the source of many people’s information and it often fuel’s people’s hate and animosity towards one another. For example, after 9/11 the media often (and inaccurately) portrayed Muslims as being terrorists, “jihadists”, and suicide bombers. This led people to perceive Muslims as a threat, causing xenophobia to uprise. The way information if disseminated to the public is crucial. The government also has a role in combating xenophobia by presenting accurate information and not “fake news”. Xenophobia can be very harmful and sometimes result in violence and hate crimes. It creates chaos and disorder. If the government wants to protect its citizens, the least it can do is speak out against xenophobia and promote a culture of tolerance. This includes taking action against hate crimes, as well as not being a police state to every non-Western country. As public health professionals, we also have a responsibility to speak out against xenophobia and work towards mitigating it. Xenophobia is a large contributing factor to health disparities, so it is definitely something that we cannot ignore.