Dr. Pallavi Patel College of Health Care Sciences
Department of Occupational Therapy
Exploring Systemic Racism Through Occupational Therapy Academic Content
After the untimely, unjust murder of George Floyd in the Summer of 2020, there was a universal outcry to dismantle the structures of society that promote prejudice, microaggressions, and discrimination (i.e., systemic racism). Inequitable opportunities, unfair policies, and discriminatory practices produced and perpetuated by the existence of systemic racism are of utmost concern to occupational therapy (OT) because it promotes occupational injustice. Occupational injustice exemplifies how marginalization disrupts participation in meaningful activities of daily living, such as education and work, which showcases that restricting Black beings from the opportunity to live freely and without prejudice directly correlates to their quality of life and health (Durocher et al., 2013).
Additionally, there was a strong need from Black occupational beings for change and to be understood, which prompted the conceptualization of Exploring Systemic Racism Through Occupational Therapy Academic Content, an unpublished study spearheaded by Nardia Aldridge, Ph.D., OTR/L, DTM, assistant professor and advisor. The purpose of the study was to explore how Black occupational therapy students are educated on systemic racism, their lived experiences within their OT programs, and the lived experiences of Black OT practitioners with systemic racism in their first three years of practice.
The groundbreaking findings from the study have received acclaim from institutions such as the World Federation of Occupational Therapists (WFOT), who invited the researchers to present at the 18th WFOT Congress to be held in Paris, France, from August 28 to August 31, 2022.
The group is hosting an Online Auction to raise funds for the trip.
To support, you may
- Make a financial donation
- Donate an item/service/gift card for the auction
- Bid in the auction
- Share the auction information with friends and family
You may access the auction using this link, https://www.charityauctionstoday.com/auctions/SFBOTC-Fundraising-Auction-32257.
References:
Durocher, E., Gibson, B. E., & Rappolt, S. (2013). Occupational justice: A conceptual review. Journal of Occupational Science, 21(4), 418-430. https://doi.org/10.1080/14427591.2013.775692
