Abstract
Engaging with the concepts of slow violence and landscapes of impunity, this article traces the United States’ long history of state-sanctioned violence against Black women that affects both their physical and mental health. The extent of this abuse is revealed by examining the skeletal and archival remains of Black women who died during the Progressive Era in New York City. The same methods of marginalization and punishment have consistently been repeated and repurposed throughout the country’s history. This violence is perpetrated not only by the state, but also by scientists who would argue for racial and gender inferiority, therefore bolstering false assumptions. Examining this history is a crucial step in denaturalizing structures that harm Black women’s health and safety.
Resumen
Al abordar los conceptos de violencia lenta y paisajes de impunidad, este artículo rastrea la larga historia en los Estados Unidos de violencia sancionada por el Estado contra las mujeres negras que afecta su salud física y mental. El alcance de este abuso se revela al examinar los restos óseos y de archivo de mujeres negras que murieron durante la Era Progresista en la ciudad de Nueva York. Los mismos métodos de marginación y castigo se han repetido y reutilizado constantemente a lo largo de la historia del país. Esta violencia es perpetrada no solo por el Estado, sino también por científicos que han postulado la inferioridad racial y de género, y por lo tanto han reforzado suposiciones falsas. Examinar esta historia es un paso crucial para desnaturalizar las estructuras que dañan la salud y la seguridad de las mujeres negras.
Résumé
Cet article, consacré aux concepts de violence lente et aux paysages d'impunité, revient aux origines de la longue histoire des États-Unis portant sur une violence sanctionnée par l'état à l'encontre des femmes noires et affectant leur santé tant physique que mentale. L'étendue de cet abus est révélée par l'examen d'archives et de restes squelettiques de femmes noires mortes au cours de l'Ère progressiste dans la Ville de New York. Les mêmes méthodes de marginalisation et de châtiment ont de manière constante été répétées et réactualisées tout au long de l'histoire du pays. Cette violence est perpétrée non seulement par l'état mais aussi par les scientifiques ayant allégué une infériorité de race et de sexe, venant ainsi renforcer des postulats erronés. L'étude de cette histoire est une étape cruciale pour modifier la nature des structures préjudiciables à la santé et à la sécurité des femmes noires.
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Notes
This is not surprising, as the Irish were not considered to be fully white during this time period. See Noel Ignatiev’s How the Irish Became White (Ignatiev 1994).
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Lans, A.M. Investigating Black Women’s Mental Health in Progressive Era New York City: A Bioarchaeological Study of Slow Violence and Landscapes of Impunity. Hist Arch 56, 663–680 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s41636-022-00372-1
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s41636-022-00372-1