“Black People Need Health Food As Much As Health Care”
“Black People Need Health Food As Much As Health Care”
There is a problem with race and health in this country. However, the problem isn’t health care, necessarily. 81% of African Americans have health care vs. 87% of whites. While the difference is significant, it is not nearly as large a gap as the difference between Blacks and whites in terms of education, crime or other important statistics…
There are a lot of options for healthy, nutritious, tasty foods out there. Unfortunately a lot of these foods are limited to the rich, and are far out of reach for many people in Black neighborhoods. If these options were given to all people, our health care system would have less of a burden and all people would be happier and healthier. The fast food system in America is in need of an overhaul, not unlike the auto industry. Just like health care should be right for every American, access to health food should be too.
When I go home to DC, the health food stores are packed with Black folks. Why? Because most Black families come from the land and are accustomed to the freshest food a generation ago. It’s not an intellectual exercise; it’s just a rational preference. The problem is that retailers do not often choose to put the stores in Black communities, which is a form of racism. Our communites have their share of environmental hazards but not the health food stores. I see this condition as an opportunity for a Black person to establish an alternative chain and compete with Whole Foods and the rest. No whining. Just deliver the service to our people. It can be done.