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Racial Justice

University of Pennsylvania doctor brings transparency to COVID vaccine for Black community
6ABC.com

University of Pennsylvania doctor brings transparency to COVID vaccine for Black community

Florencia Greer-Polite of the Perelman School of Medicine is working to show that the COVID-19 vaccine is safe. “I was losing sleep about the idea that Black people in this country were dying at higher rates of coronavirus and were not going to take the vaccine,” she said.

Systemic racism and its impact on health and wellness
a crowd of peaceful masked protesters with one sign in the middle that reads racism is a pandemic too

Systemic racism and its impact on health and wellness

The fifth of 13 conversations in Penn’s “Racism and Anti-Racism in Contemporary America” preceptorial highlighted racial health disparities and discussed policies that could support a more equitable future.

Erica K. Brockmeier

Ruby Washington is poised to make her mark in bioengineering
Ruby Washington holds a bioengineered cast in the shape of a human leg.

Ruby Washington is poised to make her mark in bioengineering

The senior in Penn Engineering’s Department of Bioengineering weds biomedicine and her pursuit in addressing healthcare disparities in the Black community.

From Penn Engineering Today

The influence and importance of language
A person in an American flag outfit and bandana carrying an American flag in front of a large group of people at the U.S. Capitol building. Many hold flags that read "Trump 2020."

On Jan. 6 2021, a group of Trump supporters stormed the U.S. Capitol building, resulting in the death of five people. (Image: Tyler Merbler)

The influence and importance of language

Labels for what happened Jan. 6 at the U.S. Capitol were very different from those used to describe the Black Lives Matter movement or the 2020 election results. How much weight do individual words actually have? It depends on the context.

Michele W. Berger

The state of U.S. democracy
the capitol building in washington dc

While a new administration transitions into office, the past four years have left the country asking, “How strong is our democratic foundation?”

The state of U.S. democracy

On the eve of a presidential inauguration following a historic election and its aftermath, experts from across the University weigh in on where we stand as a country.
26th annual MLK symposium goes online
Woman cups a candle with a gloved hand. She is standing in a circle with other candle-holders in the snow.

The candlelight vigil “was always powerful and will continue to be” as it offers a moment to reflect on the man and his legacy, says Toliver. Here, the Penn community gathers in 2007 to commemorate. 

26th annual MLK symposium goes online

Virtual events over three weeks offer opportunities to reflect, engage, and celebrate with family, colleagues, and friends.

Kristina García

Howard Stevenson on creating change through racial literacy
Howard Stevenson listens as a colleague talks to him.

(Pre-pandemic image) Penn GSE’s Howard Stevenson is a nationally sought expert on racial stress and racial trauma.

(Image: Greg Benson Photography/Penn GSE)

Howard Stevenson on creating change through racial literacy

In the wake of the series of police killings of Black people that sparked historic protests and heightened national conversation about race, and amid persistent structures of systemic racism, how can people of color promote their own emotional well-being and healing? How can leaders and organizations create lasting change to advance anti-racism and social justice?

From Penn GSE

Exacerbating the health care divide
Large rendering of the healthcare cross symbol with people standing both on top of and below the symbol against a background featuring the coronavirus germ floating nearby.

Exacerbating the health care divide

With rates of diagnoses and death disproportionately affecting racial minorities and low-income workers, experts from the School of Arts & Sciences address how COVID-19 has further exposed already dire health outcome inequalities.

From Omnia