Faculty Perspective with Professor Camisha Russell

Summary

Dr. Camisha Russell, an associate professor of Philosophy at the University of Oregon, discusses the impact of racism on health disparities in the U.S. and its implications for bioethics. She argues that social and historical factors, rather than biology, drive health disparities among Black Americans. Through personal anecdotes, she reflects on how the Black Lives Matter movement has influenced her work, emphasizing the need for individual responsibility in addressing structural racism. Dr. Russell highlights the importance of action and reflection in creating meaningful change and encourages students to explore philosophy as a tool for understanding complex societal issues.

Takeaways

• 📚 Camisha Russell is an associate professor in Philosophy at UO and teaches Ethics and other courses.
• ⚖️ Black Lives Matter is relevant to bioethics because racism is a major barrier to health in the U.S., contributing to disparities in diseases like hypertension, diabetes, and stroke.
• 💡 The root causes of racial health disparities are social and historical, not biological, tied to discrimination in economic stability, education, and neighborhood resources.
• 🌍 Racism affects health outcomes through social determinants of health and chronic stress caused by systemic discrimination.
• 🧠 Russell argues that philosophy contributes by situating ideas historically, defining concepts like racism, and offering a moral framework to address disparities.
• 📖 She references W.E.B. Du Bois and Eddie Glaude Jr. to frame the Black Lives Matter movement as part of America’s third racial reckoning.
• 📝 Racism is defined as a structural issue that produces vulnerability to premature death, which is evident in both health disparities and systemic violence.
• ⚕️ Jonathan Metzl’s book *Dying of Whiteness* highlights how racial biases against healthcare access harm even those who oppose reforms like the Affordable Care Act.
• 🔄 Russell advocates for individual responsibility in addressing structural injustice by reflecting on one’s role in institutions and committing to continuous action and learning (praxis).
• 🏅 Russell won the Baruch A. Brody Lecture in Bioethics for her work, which emphasized the importance of addressing racial justice in bioethics, even when confronting imposter syndrome.

Q & A

Who is Camisha Russell, and what is her role at the University of Oregon (UO)?

Camisha Russell is an associate professor in the Department of Philosophy at the University of Oregon. She teaches courses like Ethics 102, which introduces students to Western-style ethics, and she specializes in medical ethics, philosophy of race, and social-political philosophy.

What does Camisha Russell identify as a major factor affecting health disparities in the U.S.?

Camisha Russell highlights racism as a major barrier to health in the United States, citing higher rates of diseases like hypertension, diabetes, and stroke among Black Americans compared to White Americans. She argues that these disparities are due to social and historical factors, not biological differences.

How does Russell explain the impact of racism on health outcomes?

Russell explains that social determinants of health, such as economic stability, education, and neighborhood conditions, are influenced by racism. For example, employment discrimination, residential segregation, and unequal education funding all negatively impact the health of Black Americans.

What is Camisha Russell's philosophical approach to understanding health disparities?

Russell applies a philosophical approach by analyzing historical context and offering clear definitions of concepts like racism. She draws on both philosophical texts and social science research to explore how systemic racism contributes to health disparities and premature death.

What major historical periods does Russell reference in discussing America's racial reckonings?

Russell identifies three major racial reckonings in U.S. history: 1) Reconstruction (1863-1877), 2) The Civil Rights Movement (1950s-1960s), and 3) The current Black Lives Matter movement (2013-present), each addressing the systemic racial inequalities in different eras.

How does Russell address the concept of racism in bioethics?

Russell uses Ruth Wilson Gilmore’s definition of racism as the 'state-sanctioned or extralegal production of, and exploitation of group-differentiated vulnerability to premature death.' She emphasizes that racism is not just about individual beliefs but about structural inequalities that lead to embodied effects, such as health disparities.

What personal story does Russell share about the inspiration for her talk on racial justice?

Russell shares that she was inspired to give a talk on racial justice after being nominated for the Baruch A. Brody Lecture in Bioethics and learning about the acquittal of the police officers involved in Breonna Taylor’s death. This event motivated her to address racial justice in bioethics.

What challenges did Russell face after receiving the Baruch A. Brody Lecture award, and how did she overcome them?

Russell faced imposter syndrome, questioning whether her work was 'real bioethics' and how it compared to the legacy of Baruch Brody. She overcame these doubts by focusing on what philosophy could contribute to bioethics, particularly its ability to analyze historical contexts and challenge structural racism.

What does Russell suggest individuals should do to address structural racism?

Russell advocates for individuals to take responsibility for structural injustice by critically engaging with their institutions, focusing on personal transformation rather than guilt, and committing to praxis—an ongoing cycle of action, reflection, and learning.

What is the significance of the concept of 'praxis' in Russell’s philosophy?

In Russell’s view, 'praxis' involves combining action with reflection and theory. It encourages individuals to act against structural racism while continuously learning and reflecting on their actions, ensuring their efforts are both thoughtful and impactful.