Reviews

Medical Apartheid: The Dark History of Medical Experimentation on Black Americans from Colonial Times to the Present by Harriet A. Washington

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traceyreads2's review against another edition

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challenging emotional informative reflective tense medium-paced

5.0

mermaidread's review

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challenging dark emotional informative reflective sad medium-paced

5.0

Content Warnings

kalliegrace's review

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challenging dark informative sad medium-paced

5.0

An excellent, thorough, and sickening recounting of how Black people have been abused and used by the medical community for centuries. It is so far beyond the Tuskegee syphilis trials or the Henrietta Lacks genes, this has been systemic failure or purposeful abuse for as long as medicine has existed. And though it is no longer going on in our country (as far as we know), it has moved to the African continent where research is taking place outside the restrictions of our laws. A very important read, especially if you ever questioned why a Black person might be medical treatment hesitant.

sageofthe6pack's review

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challenging informative reflective slow-paced

4.25

ninabina's review

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4.0

Anyone who claims to care about the human rights of African Americans should read this. Hell, even if you don’t care, you should read this to learn about why you should.

This book uncovers some of the most horrifying and exploitive parts of American history. It’s astounding how little I knew about the extent to which African Americans have been abused by the medical system. Yes, I knew the basics— the Tuskegee study, experimental surgeries of black women in the antebellum south, and the grave robbery. Little did I know that was the tip of iceberg.

It’s difficult to read about so many accounts of abuse, and at times it can feel redundant. However, I can completely understand that to take out someone’s story is to once again relegate them to the fringes of our society. This is not always an easy read, but ultimately, it is so important and so worth it.

The book is well researched and eye-opening. Highly highly recommend.

jaredwill_'s review

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5.0

I can't even begin to summarize the horrors perpetrated against black people by doctors and medical researchers.
Most know of the Tuskegee syphilis experiment but, it barely scratches the surface.
This book was published in 2006 and it's very clear that while the worst of these atrocities no longer happen in America they continue in poor countries like in Sub-Saharan Africa.
It's also important to note that an absence of atrocities doesn't make healthcare equal as the immense amount of disparate health results (and the anecdotal stories from people like Serena Williams) make clear.