The Veil: The Silent Lynching of the Black Woman

Abstract

The existence and persistence of scientific racist discourse in the medical realm influences how medical professionals conceptualize and treat their Black patients. This is especially exemplified through health disparities. Specifically, an analysis of America’s maternal mortality rates highlights the existence of differential treatment of Black women by their medical professionals. This thesis argues that the simultaneous interplay of scientific racist discourse centered on high pain tolerance and emotional impulsivity is the reason for the high maternal mortality rates in the Black community. I wrote The Veil, an ethnofiction play, to illustrate the postpartum experience of a Black woman. By analyzing the dialogic interactions in The Veil, this thesis highlights how the racialization of Black women by their medical professionals leads to their death. With this thesis, I hope that we can reframe health justice so the needs of Black women are placed at the forefront of health initiatives.