Riots and Flare-ups
How are riots, inflammation and workplace related?
I remember Dr Natasha Punia once saying “What is it that affects inflammation? It's everything, it's your environment, it's politics, it's what you're eating…”
Yes. It's everything. Everything impacts health. As documented by Rupa Marya and Raj Patel in their book, human health and socioeconomical and political systems are intertwined.
With the current events in the UK, I can't help but see a strong parallel between the riots, symptomatic of deep-seated racial discrimination, and flare-ups, the acute manifestations of an underlying condition, of chronic inflammation. Once in a while, they burst out again.
Much like chronic inflammation is always with you, invisible, hidden, quiet, but nevertheless making you weaker, so is the slow-burning prejudice of racial discrimination throughout society. It lingers and perpetuates inequities in education, in employment and in health. Here in the UK and more so in France in my experience, there is a culture of racism denial.
“No one is racist anymore! It’s of the past. Stop playing the victim! You see racism everywhere!”
“ You are just as French as I am,” the sons of the white elite tell me.
It does remind me of being told that I am completely healthy and it’s all in my head, but this is for another discussion.
It has been documented over and over again that stress in the workplace is a major driver of illness and burnout. Who has not been advised to avoid stress? Well, there are many sources of stress, but racism is a big one. I invite you to read Dileep Marway’s first article for our community “Breaking the Mould: Overcoming Discrimination and Embracing Authenticity in the Workplace.” In this insightful article, Dileep shares strategies to address these issues constructively, and promote a healthier, more inclusive work culture.