Persistence of Racism Through White Power

Chapter
First Online:
Part of the Contemporary Black History book series (CBH)

Abstract

The chapter begins by discussing the failure of the hopes for the elimination of racism, voiced after the end of the Second World War, to live up to expectations. It goes on to discuss how the mental health system is part of controlling racialised groups in various settings; and how racism operates in employment in the National Health Service and in the Department of Health. It draws on personal experience in discussing the position of black people in a racist mental health system and how black people can try to influence policy in institutions although these are essentially dominated by white people. It ends by considering the issues of power and privilege associated with racism; and the restrictions that result from academic disciplines, including clinical psychology and psychiatry, being informed by limited sources—what is called white knowledge.

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Copyright information

© The Author(s) 2017

Authors and Affiliations

  1. 1.London Metropolitan UniversityLondonUK

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