As the conversation of systemic racism, and implementing change becomes a focus of both our community and America at large, it’s of utmost importance for us to support those who are in our community fighting these daily challenges. In fact, the time to take action has always been ‘now’, whether it is yesterday, today, or tomorrow. And taking that action requires dedication, sacrifice, and endurance.
We need to help those in our community who make the sacrifices that are needed to address these issues. Those who are trying to build organizations, institutions, and communities whose systems are reliable and just. This means the work and the mission carries on undisturbed, regardless of any problems, in a way that sustains itself and sustains growth, that will then do more good. And we must support those who try to build a new culture around our institutions and organizations, that can bring sustainable advancements to our community and to those around us by directly facing the challenges before us.
We must support projects and organizations like Salaam Clinic, who hit at the heart of the effects of systemic racism, of which one is healthcare and poor health outcomes for the marginalized communities in our city.
Cleveland City Council declared systemic racism a public health emergency on June 5, 2020. It is a known fact that systemic racism has led to poorer health outcomes for whole communities, especially in the predominantly black neighborhoods of Cleveland. This in turn affects families not just in personal health, but also in other areas of life, such as financial and economic stability, housing and neighborhood environments, education, social support systems and community, and of course the healthcare systems themselves. We call these the “social determinants of health”. The poorer the social determinants, the poorer the health outcomes. In short, healthcare is weaved into every layer of society itself. And with systemic racism ingrained in some of our institutions, we see those poorer health outcomes among black and other marginalized communities right here in our beloved city.
This is why Salaam Clinic exists. To bring equitable access to up-to-date and evidence-based care, in a culturally competent manner to the uninsured and underinsured patient population. A patient population that historically has been designed to be affected the most by systemic racism.
The road is long and arduous, but by committing help towards organizations that directly change situations, organizations like Salaam Clinic, you are committing help to a whole community who has felt the effects of systemic racism and systemic injustices. This help will affect whole generations, continuously, in a positive manner. You are helping your community directly combat the effects of systemic racism, and this help goes beyond any statements or any proclamation. We are not the solution, but together we can be a part of a broader solution to rectifying systemic injustices.
Syed Shoaib Z Shah MD
Chief Executive Officer, Salaam Clinic
