This convoluted mixture citing some limited, poorly controlled studies plus anecdotal evidence with political view points thrown in and least it is in the opinion section. Science, it is not. Perhaps a "fake news" section should be added for such glowing nonsense.
24
What about the stress on the White population in places like DC and Chicago, surviving the Black predators who live and prey on Whites, all day, every day?
With no Blacks, we would have a safer and more peaceful America.
With no Blacks, we would have a safer and more peaceful America.
4
I'm white.
On the Adverse Childhood Experiences scale, I scored 9/10.
Against all odds, I dragged myself out of the misery, but now live with asthma and every virus that comes my way (and since I'm a teacher, that's a lot of viruses). I am sick constantly (but, of course, I just soldier on). I have long been convinced that the stress I battled from birth to age 25 broke my health.
If anything, being white hurt me when it came to college scholarships and jobs (I didn't start out as a teacher). For a writer to try to make this about race is heartless and selfish. People of all colors and genders are being kicked in the teeth daily by the wealthy and the lucky. Life shouldn't be this hard for anyone of any color.
On the Adverse Childhood Experiences scale, I scored 9/10.
Against all odds, I dragged myself out of the misery, but now live with asthma and every virus that comes my way (and since I'm a teacher, that's a lot of viruses). I am sick constantly (but, of course, I just soldier on). I have long been convinced that the stress I battled from birth to age 25 broke my health.
If anything, being white hurt me when it came to college scholarships and jobs (I didn't start out as a teacher). For a writer to try to make this about race is heartless and selfish. People of all colors and genders are being kicked in the teeth daily by the wealthy and the lucky. Life shouldn't be this hard for anyone of any color.
11
While on a biological level it makes sense that the strivers' immune systems would be hampered and prematurely aged by the stress of succeeding in a hostile environment, it is heartbreaking that such a heavy price is paid by the people who 'work twice as hard' to accomplish what they do. It makes me think of people I know, through friends and schoolmates, who are losing their highly successful parents at unjustly young ages, including one woman I've known since 3rd grade, who has lost both parents in their late 50s, and who is fighting chemo-resistant breast cancer, all while continuing to teach and mentor law students at her alma mater. There is no end to the injustice.
4
For all of your talk about "white privilege" and how whites just float through life without "real" stressors, can you explain to me why white males are the highest at risk for developing alcoholism? This is a disease infamous for being linked to stress, environment, genetics and coping.
9
Little is said about blacks being more homophobic them their white counterparts.
They will justify their position through religion, or saying "that it's not the same thing".
Yet, more than not, it is the same thing.
They will justify their position through religion, or saying "that it's not the same thing".
Yet, more than not, it is the same thing.
4
There was no mention of diet in this study, or in any other research mentioned, just a vague allusion to lifestyle. Maybe white people eat more fruits and vegetables. There is such a thing as an African American diet, a southern diet, described here: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/9395569
9
So now your heart attacks are my fault. Ha ha ha! You people are out of control. No wonder Trump is president.
12
This seems to be a pseudo-medical justification of a sociopolitical viewpoint. The there is no evidence presented for the causal order indicated. The various and sundry biological changes correlated with this and nearly every other behavioral trait difference in animals [involving immune cells, hormone levels, DNA methylation patterns (vertebrates) - and their related changes in inflammation and gene expression pathways] is meaningless, in terms of causation. My writing of this comment is also associated with such changes, some of which occur before and some after the event. The complex details of biological processes (with associations and functions that are poorly understood) should not be used to imply causation or even particular significance. The authors should provide evidence that their (indirect) measures of biological distress are not causal to the (generalized) behavioral traits, which is also quite plausible. Empirically, this is a very weak study with a lot of political implications. The supporting evidence from other countries seems to assume that only American (or black-white) racism is significant. A more serious attempt at getting at potential causal relationships would be to look for biologically-relevant covariants within a multiple-level caste system, with some degree of mobility (i.e. time-dependent effects). The scale/cost of an empirical study of this dubious hypothesis would probably leave it unanswered if taxpayers funding it were involved.
10
It's called stress. And it's been known for decades that increased stress causes increased health problems. This is not new found knowledge, just more race baiting reporting by those that want governments to solve their problems.
9
Is there ANYTHING the NY Times will not attribute to racism? Good grief.
The irony is that liberals think this is helpful. They keep treating black people like helpless children, constantly reminding them of the myriad burdens and obstacles that make them victims. And now "the system" is even making them sick?!
Why bother getting out of bed? The odds are stacked too heavily against you. What a message.
The irony is that liberals think this is helpful. They keep treating black people like helpless children, constantly reminding them of the myriad burdens and obstacles that make them victims. And now "the system" is even making them sick?!
Why bother getting out of bed? The odds are stacked too heavily against you. What a message.
14
Hidden Figures. Great movie. Such amazing grace under pressure. I am sure these women suffered physical ailments including UTIs as well as stress related conditions.
2
This article reminds us of a number of critical issues which all too often are overlooked, not considered or even denied. There is a need to understand; it is not enough to know.Human behaviors are complex and not just complicated. This is not just semantics. Consider the complexity of beginning with a caterpillar and ending up with a butterfly, and then contrast this with a screw in a model of a jumbo plane and a screw in an actual jumbo. Both are screw even tho' their "homes" differ in being more or less complicated.Unexpected outcomes, in a reality of ongoing uncertainty and unpredictability occur no matter how much we believe that we are and can be in control.Planned efforts to intervene, to,prevent, to promote, to sustain, based upon generalizable, relevant aggregate data, from large population studies tell a different story than a qualitative case study; the folk saga of John Henry and his hammer.A unidimensional use of words and concepts such as "overcoming,""resilience," " pick yourself up by your boot straps," mantrafying and measuring beliefs in what their dimensions are and not the internal and external interacting necessary conditions for them to,operate or not is, at the very least, an invitation to failure, as well as harms greater than failure.This article suggests that there is the need and the opportunity to continuing questioning so as to avoid too early closure as we quest achieving levels of well being for all, as best as we can.
2
Sure, it is all our fault. No i see it clearly, due to this Study. Oh Please, go away. Life is hard and there are winners and losers, and always will be. Let me up.
6
I really wish the NYT would realize just how much it is damaging its overall credibility by publishing material like this.
16
The study should compare the impact of stress hormones on individuals across a variety of categories....undoubtedly, the results will show that stress, whether caused by striving --or any thing else-- produces harmful health effects. For the NYT to publish a piece that suggests that "striving" is more harmful to the health of black folk seems irresponsible. This article is little more than sensationalism. I live in Washington, DC and have been observing Caucasian strivers for years. So many of them won't eat and therefore can not sleep. Perhaps the article's author should take a magic school bus ride through their nervous systems. Does the author of this article seriously expect us to believe that stress hormones affect one race more than members of another? What is going on with the editorial board of the NYT? I would like to know the racial composition of the NYT editorial board.
6
This sure sounds right to me. The Jews had their own version of this, set in Tsarist Russia, but at least they were able to keep their culture to lean on.
African americans' familial and social support systems were torn apart. The ones that they created from whole cloth have faced ongoing and constant of attack via violence and terrorism from the surrounding society, each generation losing key individuals to death and incarceration. Imagine your own life, your own family tree, and how it might emerge from this kind of daily experience and history. Harrowing survival.
African americans' familial and social support systems were torn apart. The ones that they created from whole cloth have faced ongoing and constant of attack via violence and terrorism from the surrounding society, each generation losing key individuals to death and incarceration. Imagine your own life, your own family tree, and how it might emerge from this kind of daily experience and history. Harrowing survival.
1
There is one thing I am not clear about in your thesis. Have the studies included individuals with high coping powers, resiliency, etc. (who didn't "make it" because of luck, racism, family, poor support network, etc.)? If so, what is the conclusion about the studied health factors? If the studies did not include them, then you may be finding what you are looking for.
Only a small percentage of resilient strivers actually "make it" in the sense that you seem to be discussing in this thesis. Have you studied a selective minority of strivers, from which no fair generalizations can be made?
Only a small percentage of resilient strivers actually "make it" in the sense that you seem to be discussing in this thesis. Have you studied a selective minority of strivers, from which no fair generalizations can be made?
1
As one who built a career from a background in personality psychology and has worked with many of the leaders in the field, I read this and scratch my head. First of all, the headline says -- "why succeeding against all odd can make you sick" -- but in the body there is no evidence presented for that -- only that a psychological trait of "striving" or John "Henryism" having that trait can be disadvantageous. But, the author presents no evidence linking it with success. In fact two of the studies only talk about lower socioeconomic status individuals who score high on this "scale" having poorer health outcomes.
So, aside from wanting to know the validity and reliability of psychological constructs discussed, how they separate in factor analysis from other dimensions, etc. (all required psychometric approaches) -- to demonstrate that resilience or JHism or striving leads to negative health outcomes I'd want to include other variables in the equation; I'd want to know what the criteria for success are, I'd want studies for males & females separately AND -- I'd want to see how Blacks in particular fared in an all Black environment (say, an all Black college) vs other environments. That is, before I started invoking racism or blaming Trump.
It's no surprise that lower SE status is associated with negative health consequences. But the rest of this is a leap with no data to support the main idea. Would the Times have published this if there weren't the racial angle?
So, aside from wanting to know the validity and reliability of psychological constructs discussed, how they separate in factor analysis from other dimensions, etc. (all required psychometric approaches) -- to demonstrate that resilience or JHism or striving leads to negative health outcomes I'd want to include other variables in the equation; I'd want to know what the criteria for success are, I'd want studies for males & females separately AND -- I'd want to see how Blacks in particular fared in an all Black environment (say, an all Black college) vs other environments. That is, before I started invoking racism or blaming Trump.
It's no surprise that lower SE status is associated with negative health consequences. But the rest of this is a leap with no data to support the main idea. Would the Times have published this if there weren't the racial angle?
8
Oh give it a rest! That there are physiologic variations between the races is established and often are consistent with evolutionary adaptation to typical climatic stresses in the core region of the race's origin.
In hot African climates the retention of Sodium may well be adaptive. Yet it's persistence in temperate climes may predispose to hypertension. Just as Cycle Cell trait protects from Malaria, in areas where Malaria is rare it is a net negative.
East Asians are largely lactose intolerant. Etc and so on. Why is there always such a strong demand to find racism under every evil?
In hot African climates the retention of Sodium may well be adaptive. Yet it's persistence in temperate climes may predispose to hypertension. Just as Cycle Cell trait protects from Malaria, in areas where Malaria is rare it is a net negative.
East Asians are largely lactose intolerant. Etc and so on. Why is there always such a strong demand to find racism under every evil?
8
The direct effect of social order, society political, cultural, economic on a person's health mental and physical?
It should not be difficult to observe that if a person closely matches, fits with a society's physical and mental demands, the less the person will experience stress and also be more likely to receive help for whatever sickness (as postulated by society) occurs in course of life. The interesting thing though is that closely matching society's desires does not necessarily mean one has exceptional health mental or physical. One simply matches a relative average and there can be who knows how much development in health physical and mental above the average...And we rather try to consider the average at any time exceptional in comparison to physical and mental decay rather than shoot for the physical and mental beyond average.
But it is quite safe to say that if a person feels himself at odds with society, going against the grain--and this is a psychological experience--it is best to try to develop as much as possible in direction of exceptional physical and mental health. A person should get some notion of the average of society and strive physically and mentally beyond the average the more feeling at odds with society. Or one is liable to distort society in direction of physical and mental limitations that one might have. The question to ask is if society is making me sick do I strive for health superior and to benefit society or do I become society's enemy?
It should not be difficult to observe that if a person closely matches, fits with a society's physical and mental demands, the less the person will experience stress and also be more likely to receive help for whatever sickness (as postulated by society) occurs in course of life. The interesting thing though is that closely matching society's desires does not necessarily mean one has exceptional health mental or physical. One simply matches a relative average and there can be who knows how much development in health physical and mental above the average...And we rather try to consider the average at any time exceptional in comparison to physical and mental decay rather than shoot for the physical and mental beyond average.
But it is quite safe to say that if a person feels himself at odds with society, going against the grain--and this is a psychological experience--it is best to try to develop as much as possible in direction of exceptional physical and mental health. A person should get some notion of the average of society and strive physically and mentally beyond the average the more feeling at odds with society. Or one is liable to distort society in direction of physical and mental limitations that one might have. The question to ask is if society is making me sick do I strive for health superior and to benefit society or do I become society's enemy?
Misogyny has the effect too. I wonder if you even need a study. Just look around and see what people give up to reach their goals -- children? time with their children? hobbies? cooking for themselves? exercise? a body that functions without significant pain?
Sometimes I think that what people didn't like in Hillary Clinton was the depth of the dead tissue, a sort of armor, that was created as she powered through all the hate that was thrown her way. A woman will typically stop sooner, to retain more health. Health confers a grace we want in women, and so many people couldn't see it in her.
Now Trump -- silver spoon in an ugly mouth and powers of denial that less wealthy people can only dream of ... No grace, but we don't require it in a rich white male, do we?
Sometimes I think that what people didn't like in Hillary Clinton was the depth of the dead tissue, a sort of armor, that was created as she powered through all the hate that was thrown her way. A woman will typically stop sooner, to retain more health. Health confers a grace we want in women, and so many people couldn't see it in her.
Now Trump -- silver spoon in an ugly mouth and powers of denial that less wealthy people can only dream of ... No grace, but we don't require it in a rich white male, do we?
3
Hum, so what you are saying that that people who achieve, who are ambitious, should be taxed less as their efforts to improve the world, solve problems and create jobs takes years off of the life. Hence, they bear a personal cost in their efforts and results to improve society.
Think about it, the very people who the Times loves to scream about, and who helps to increase the stress on through avocation of economic penalties on the workers of the world, are already taking a personal health hit because of the long hours of work needed succeed. By the way, those of us who work very hard and are determined to succeed already know that we are taking years off our lives verses the complacent and lazy.
Think about it, the very people who the Times loves to scream about, and who helps to increase the stress on through avocation of economic penalties on the workers of the world, are already taking a personal health hit because of the long hours of work needed succeed. By the way, those of us who work very hard and are determined to succeed already know that we are taking years off our lives verses the complacent and lazy.
This article is a good example of liberal bias taken to the extreme. The argument is this:
1. Higher stress results in poorer health
2. Racial discrimination is a major form of stress
3. Blacks experience racial discrimination in America
4. Under Trump, racial discrimination against Blacks is increasing
5. Therefore, Trump is killing black Americans
Beautiful. Many conservatives (like me) will question the degree to which America is 'racist'. This isn't to say that there aren't isolated racist instances (indeed, as in the recent Chicago racist torture of a disabled white man, the racism can be black against white), and it is not to say that there aren't individual racists (i.e., Dylan Roof). But it is to say that the liberal assumption that racism is the central cause for the Black ghettos goes largely unquestioned, as is the case in this article.
Conservatives will argue that racism is a marginal phenomenon at this point in our history. They will argue that liberal identity politics, in fact, both rests upon and propagates the myth of rampant racism. It churns out voters and secures the Black demographic for the democrats.
I recognize that very few of you will support that position (this is the NYT, after all). But understand that this article is one of countless examples of political bias. Had the author of this piece concluded, "And thus, liberal identity politics is killing our black Americans", you would have immediately decried its political bias.
1. Higher stress results in poorer health
2. Racial discrimination is a major form of stress
3. Blacks experience racial discrimination in America
4. Under Trump, racial discrimination against Blacks is increasing
5. Therefore, Trump is killing black Americans
Beautiful. Many conservatives (like me) will question the degree to which America is 'racist'. This isn't to say that there aren't isolated racist instances (indeed, as in the recent Chicago racist torture of a disabled white man, the racism can be black against white), and it is not to say that there aren't individual racists (i.e., Dylan Roof). But it is to say that the liberal assumption that racism is the central cause for the Black ghettos goes largely unquestioned, as is the case in this article.
Conservatives will argue that racism is a marginal phenomenon at this point in our history. They will argue that liberal identity politics, in fact, both rests upon and propagates the myth of rampant racism. It churns out voters and secures the Black demographic for the democrats.
I recognize that very few of you will support that position (this is the NYT, after all). But understand that this article is one of countless examples of political bias. Had the author of this piece concluded, "And thus, liberal identity politics is killing our black Americans", you would have immediately decried its political bias.
7
In the early part of the last century Africans migrating to the cities would catch the "white man diseases". That has been true for Inuits, aborigines, native Americans and other cultures that moved to a western diet. They all developed an increased incidence of heart disease, hypertension and diabetes. Now add to that an increase in cortisol levels due to stress and repressed immune system due to stress, lack of rest and possibly poor diet and you have a health time bomb.
3
I wonder if Dr Brody assessed the amount of Adverse Childhood experiences (ACES) of the group and if such results can also account for his findings
2
Observing President Obama's experience, it's clear that no black man can fully win in America. Even he was subject to eight years of hysterical hatred, not because of policies, but because of his skin color.
5
If care enough to look in the eyes of the African Americans around you, you will see the pain.
2
As a white American, but first generation middle class, I can tell you my parents suffer from physical and mental ailments due to their striving for a better life. As I look around I see this everywhere. The parents pay the price for the children to have a better life. This is not a new discovery. We can find evidence of this in science and literature for generations.
If the stress on blacks is greater due to the greater difficulties they experience it would seem logical. But I doubt there is a cure for it. Once you are past childhood and then strive to change you station in life, you will make internal changes that are the bargain with the devil. Dr. Mujahid's quote "What we want is for people who overcome so much to achieve the American dream to have the health to enjoy the fruits of their efforts," is just unrealistic.
But its worth it for the benefit of future generations of your race and humanity as well.
If the stress on blacks is greater due to the greater difficulties they experience it would seem logical. But I doubt there is a cure for it. Once you are past childhood and then strive to change you station in life, you will make internal changes that are the bargain with the devil. Dr. Mujahid's quote "What we want is for people who overcome so much to achieve the American dream to have the health to enjoy the fruits of their efforts," is just unrealistic.
But its worth it for the benefit of future generations of your race and humanity as well.
1
I was an overachieving athlete inasmuch as I competed in the ETA and USTA--unfortunately with little success (simply not fast, strong, or coordinated enough). Now at 50, I have persistent idiosyncratic A-Fib, arthritis almost everywhere, one artificial knee (five years ago) and the other one getting done this summer.
I understand this study is more socio-economic and general health related; however, I wonder if there are similar parallels to be drawn with the abundance of cortisol and adrenaline I was producing and my A-Fib (arthritis too, but overuse can be mechanical as much as chemical).
I understand this study is more socio-economic and general health related; however, I wonder if there are similar parallels to be drawn with the abundance of cortisol and adrenaline I was producing and my A-Fib (arthritis too, but overuse can be mechanical as much as chemical).
1
I cringe when I read overly simplistic articles like this which generalizes life in black/white or wealth/poor.
Try this on....having suffered from epilepsy since 17 years old I've taken a laundry list of medications. Currently I'm on Keppra, Depakote and small amounts of beta-blockers, high blood pressure meds, Clonazepam etc...
Despite the hurdles and discrimination I've faced my entire life I've earned a Masters in Finance and advanced degree in Technology.....worked at some of the largest international firms in the Country too. I've amassed a fantastic portfolio for retirement - which is just a couple of years away.
I think articles like this truly over-simplify and cause more social/economic & racial disharmony. Life isn't so simple and I'm a perfect example of it.
Yes I have all sorts of ailments and yes I've been discriminated on over the years because of my ailment......but I never quit and strive for the moon!
Hypertension....yes....discriminated on yes....and I'm a relatively wealthy Caucasian who also lived first hand through the 9/11 attack because of where I worked for 7 years.
Try this on....having suffered from epilepsy since 17 years old I've taken a laundry list of medications. Currently I'm on Keppra, Depakote and small amounts of beta-blockers, high blood pressure meds, Clonazepam etc...
Despite the hurdles and discrimination I've faced my entire life I've earned a Masters in Finance and advanced degree in Technology.....worked at some of the largest international firms in the Country too. I've amassed a fantastic portfolio for retirement - which is just a couple of years away.
I think articles like this truly over-simplify and cause more social/economic & racial disharmony. Life isn't so simple and I'm a perfect example of it.
Yes I have all sorts of ailments and yes I've been discriminated on over the years because of my ailment......but I never quit and strive for the moon!
Hypertension....yes....discriminated on yes....and I'm a relatively wealthy Caucasian who also lived first hand through the 9/11 attack because of where I worked for 7 years.
4
I see it with White people too. If they come from an underprivileged background they may not know the difference between being middle class and being wealthy. So, they work hard, beat the odds and pull themselves up to middle class only to find that - nowadays- being middle class in America is highly stressful; the bills, college costs, downsizing, work hours , medical costs etc.. They then fall to drink, food, drugs - anything that will alleviate the anxiety.
2
A thoroughly sad and tragic reality....
The impact of Hate is real... a fact which many haters both know and are warmed by....
The impact of Hate is real... a fact which many haters both know and are warmed by....
2
It's sad that so many Americans believe that Black = poor, single parent, violent inner city. I grew up in a two parent household, stable & safe neighborhood, healthy blue collar family. Yet I experience this everyday.
I'm a middle class professional who has moved ~2 classes. As African-American professionals we discuss this all the day. Racism is a constant part of our day, especially at work. It has made me cry, physically sick, etc. The higher you go, the less AA people there are, the more you experience racism. As a woman, I also experience the racism sexism.
My Black friends who grew up poor experience this.
My Black friends who grew up wealthy & upper middle class experience this.
My Black friends fro 2 parent households & single parent households experience this.
My Black friends who grew up in the city & those who grew up in rural areas experience this.
We all experience this, it's called racism. Stop being in denial.
I'm a middle class professional who has moved ~2 classes. As African-American professionals we discuss this all the day. Racism is a constant part of our day, especially at work. It has made me cry, physically sick, etc. The higher you go, the less AA people there are, the more you experience racism. As a woman, I also experience the racism sexism.
My Black friends who grew up poor experience this.
My Black friends who grew up wealthy & upper middle class experience this.
My Black friends fro 2 parent households & single parent households experience this.
My Black friends who grew up in the city & those who grew up in rural areas experience this.
We all experience this, it's called racism. Stop being in denial.
5
There is no doubt that different racial groups have different possibilities of acceptance. There is no doubt that Blacks have had to work harder for acceptance in this country than many other non-White groups. However, Blacks seem to be less focused on healthy life styles than many other groups. They have a high rates of smoking and fast-food consumption, as well as greater consumption of junk food, For some, fried and fattiy foods are more the norm than healthy food. Regular exercise is also lacking in the Black lifestyle. It could be attributed to a lower economic status, more pressing problems, or it's simply not a priority for them. I think they deal with many more problems related to acceptance and success in this society than other groups, and perhaps, consuming the right olive oil, or foregoing a thickly fried dish just doesn't matter.
It doesn't take a rocket scientist to understand that stress causes ill effects upon the immune system of organism. It doesn't take a rocket scientist to see that the need of money or getting the bad of the stick all the time causes stress to families and individuals.
Incidentally, Phileadippides like John Henry, dripped over dead after making the long run from Marathon to Athens.
Incidentally, Phileadippides like John Henry, dripped over dead after making the long run from Marathon to Athens.
Incredible. If that study were remotely true then blacks would live a lot longer than whites. Think about it.
3
This is the kind of unhelpful politicization of health and economics issues that makes people roll their eyes at the NYT. EVERYONE perceives their own struggles in their own way for goodness sakes. I am sure that more difficulties in life cause more stress. That's a gigantic DUH! But everything is relative, context matters and there are plenty of suffering white people. Attitude and outlook are not racially prescribed.
4
In 1959, I went to a lecture by the noted linguist, S.I. Hayakawa, in the white, white San Fernando Valley.
I've forgotten the advertised title, probably something related to linguistics.
But he switched the topic on us. It was now:
"How to Be Sane, Though Negro".
I don't remember what he said. I have always since, though, recognized how much black people must experience their public lives as inordinately stressful, and wondered how they do it. I found myself gravitating toward the great black authors, being relieved when each wave of the civil rights movements came along, when blacks began to be visible on television and having public voices, and rejoiced for all blacks when we got a black president .
The study in the article seems onerous and possibly unethical (could giving someone an actual virus tip some people's immune systems into an unknown, unwanted state, even much later when the researchers weren't around?)
Even so, it is interesting to find out that high-striving blacks have older-seeming white blood cells and whites don't. And to know that blacks in African countries don't have high blood pressure, etc.
Imagine, now, the relative healths of Muslims and 'Dreamers' in the Trump era, and that of all people who are not Trump's 'normal'.
(I've also imagined the possibility that a disordered man allowed to implement such continuous destruction will take years off the lives of empathetic and previously balanced people.)
I've forgotten the advertised title, probably something related to linguistics.
But he switched the topic on us. It was now:
"How to Be Sane, Though Negro".
I don't remember what he said. I have always since, though, recognized how much black people must experience their public lives as inordinately stressful, and wondered how they do it. I found myself gravitating toward the great black authors, being relieved when each wave of the civil rights movements came along, when blacks began to be visible on television and having public voices, and rejoiced for all blacks when we got a black president .
The study in the article seems onerous and possibly unethical (could giving someone an actual virus tip some people's immune systems into an unknown, unwanted state, even much later when the researchers weren't around?)
Even so, it is interesting to find out that high-striving blacks have older-seeming white blood cells and whites don't. And to know that blacks in African countries don't have high blood pressure, etc.
Imagine, now, the relative healths of Muslims and 'Dreamers' in the Trump era, and that of all people who are not Trump's 'normal'.
(I've also imagined the possibility that a disordered man allowed to implement such continuous destruction will take years off the lives of empathetic and previously balanced people.)
2
I am white female with a mixed raced child, and due to racism from both sides with ostracism and personal professional harassment despite attaining high professional and educational credentials I became ill aged forty - going from highly active to unable to do anything - diagnosed as chronic fatigue, I found that the only thing which keeps me "active in a limited way" now is peace and tranquility and distancing myself from toxic environs - virtually and in reality
1
We need to turn off the boohoo machine and face reality. And that is clearly all people suffer from stress across racial, ethnic and gender lines. In a national culture like America's that has as one of its unattainable ideals that everyone should like the individual, it would be stressful. One has also seen many instances of black women and men bullying people of other races, as I do in my own office on a daily basis. Bullying to the point of causing significant stress and damaging their health. It's called the Big Payback.
3
It's whitey's fault! Again! Lead with your chin, have your silly theories knocked out.
2
If a greater predisposition to disease is the concomitant of striving under stress, do those that endure and overcome become hardier? And what about the offspring of those that strive and thrive? Do they have a chance to inherit a genetic predisposition to be more stress tolerant?
1
This research seems to suggest that stress kills, hardly a new discovery.
2
This is a "fake news" article based on a "wild" correlation by a public health researcher - i.e. an epidemiologist. Epidemiologists only see smoke, never fire. After they identify smoke they need to turn the observation (which is all it is) over to a real scientist who investigates and identifies cause (if possible).
They should never throw out their own wild and ill-considered hypotheses, which is like a bricklayer talking about electrical work.
A much more likely reason and a reason much closer to the actual cause of why some people get colds and some do not is the level of zinc and histidine.
Higher levels of both zinc and histidine decrease cold duration by an average of 3.6 days:
“Prasad As et al.: Duration of symptoms and plasma cytokine levels in patients with the common cold treated with zinc acetate. Ann Intern Med. 2000; 133
The real question is why some people have higher or lower levels of zinc and histidine and what can be done about it.
They should never throw out their own wild and ill-considered hypotheses, which is like a bricklayer talking about electrical work.
A much more likely reason and a reason much closer to the actual cause of why some people get colds and some do not is the level of zinc and histidine.
Higher levels of both zinc and histidine decrease cold duration by an average of 3.6 days:
“Prasad As et al.: Duration of symptoms and plasma cytokine levels in patients with the common cold treated with zinc acetate. Ann Intern Med. 2000; 133
The real question is why some people have higher or lower levels of zinc and histidine and what can be done about it.
2
Poorly written, sensationalized article. The indication for adverse health effects is an over presence of stress hormones which will appear for a wide variety of reasons, striving being only one of those reasons. If you compare people of all races and backgrounds and observe and over presence of stress hormones, you will also find adverse health effects. This article's publication makes me have less faith in the journalistic intergrey of the NYT.
5
In 1996-97 a study was done (CDC and Kaiser Permanente) where Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE) were linked with mental and physical illness in adulthood. A questionaire was created where adults were asked about 5 different types of adversity they might have experienced in childhood. The higher their score (4 or more) the more likely they were to have mental/physical problems in adulthood. Public policy makers need to be aware and guided by this information.
2
Readers should be wary of this kind of "research."
3
One possible explanation for the difference between white and black "strivers" is that when a black person does well in school and tries hard to succeed, he or she is disparaged as "acting white." A poor white person faces no such disapproval.
So perhaps it is the fact that a poor black person has to reject what his culture is telling him if he wants to succeed that creates the stress that manifests itself in hypertension, diabetes, etc.
So perhaps it is the fact that a poor black person has to reject what his culture is telling him if he wants to succeed that creates the stress that manifests itself in hypertension, diabetes, etc.
3
The politically-loaded, "no-win" situation suggested by this very weak study is presented in a major article as afflicting only African Americans. I have to wonder whether the NYT thrives on political division.
3
Another example of this, demonstrated in research, is the ACE Study. ACE stands for "adverse childhood experiences." In that study, adults who experienced adversity as children, such as living with a mentally ill parent, substance abuse in the home, or domestic violence, experienced more health challenges as adolescents and adults (cardiovascular health, drug use, teen pregnancy, lung health, etc.). Multiple ACE-based studies have demonstrated a dose-response effect - the more ACE's, the more likely those adults will have a variety of health problems.
It goes without saying that growing up disenfranchised is an ACE and will undoubtedly affect a person's health. In the U.S. there is so much inequality, racism, and oppression that this stress-health relationship is the norm among marginalized groups.
It goes without saying that growing up disenfranchised is an ACE and will undoubtedly affect a person's health. In the U.S. there is so much inequality, racism, and oppression that this stress-health relationship is the norm among marginalized groups.
1
It's important to show that health issues among Blacks in the US are tied to life-long adversity and discrimination, so I have no problem with this study--as far as it goes. But as many others here have stated, skin colour alone isn't the issue. Anyone who faces sufficient adversity and discrimination will suffer.
I was a white, gifted, straight-A student, the first in my family to go to university--the top in the country. I won scholarships throughout. I was raised with the Protestant work ethic, and I tackled everything with earnest, dogged effort.
But I was also female, fighting rock-bottom self-esteem after growing up discounted and abused in a family that thought nothing of females. At work I was bullied at one job after another. In my 20s was raped by someone I was afraid to take to court because I believed he controlled my employment prospects. When my health began to fail in my next job, I was bullied again, mercillessly. I fought (and won) a legal for accommodations, desperate to stay employed. And then I fought to upgrade my training.
Today I am on disability, and I face new levels of stress from that. I am worn out, physically and mentally--decades early. But, yes, I am striving, yet again, to retrain and return to work.
There is no doubt in my mind that discrimination and adversity destroy health, no matter the colour of one's skin.
I was a white, gifted, straight-A student, the first in my family to go to university--the top in the country. I won scholarships throughout. I was raised with the Protestant work ethic, and I tackled everything with earnest, dogged effort.
But I was also female, fighting rock-bottom self-esteem after growing up discounted and abused in a family that thought nothing of females. At work I was bullied at one job after another. In my 20s was raped by someone I was afraid to take to court because I believed he controlled my employment prospects. When my health began to fail in my next job, I was bullied again, mercillessly. I fought (and won) a legal for accommodations, desperate to stay employed. And then I fought to upgrade my training.
Today I am on disability, and I face new levels of stress from that. I am worn out, physically and mentally--decades early. But, yes, I am striving, yet again, to retrain and return to work.
There is no doubt in my mind that discrimination and adversity destroy health, no matter the colour of one's skin.
1
There has been some research about why elite black women with flawless prenatal care have higher rates of hypertension and pre-term birth than comparable white women. The theory is that a lifetime of having to say "no i am really supposed to be at this meeting" and "no I am not shoplifting- can you please find this sweater in my size?'' causes chronic stress and a kind of inflammation that is detrimental to perinatal health. There are a LOT of factors here to consider and a lot of health problems among non-strivers but this idea does make sense to me. Being placed under constant stress and always having to hide it is not good for people.
Janet O'Hare, LCSW
Janet O'Hare, LCSW
2
You have to got to be kidding me. I don't know what else one could say to such a crazy story.
1
Maybe true, but the worst possible interpretation of this would be that people should quit striving to avoid the stress. Stress takes its toll on everyone, and is perhaps greater for some individuals or groups. But striving has plenty of upsides, for personal healt as well as material well being.
The truth is you need look no further than who is in charge of this country and his right hand man, they both don't look well, or seem happy, and are both white men who have striven very hard to get where they are. Looking for attention because of success is an unhealthy act. Be married to one of these men and your health suffers. Years ago, they talked about type A personality, that it was destructive, to one's health, usually ending in high blood pressure and heart disease. Now with a sedentary lifestyle for many, and a poor diet, anyone can be on the road to be unhealthy. Women are often home with children for a period of years, which takes them out of the striving arena. My husband's father died at the age of 40 after he had received a contract to build furniture for two Minneapolis hotels back in 1957. The stress of pressure to have deadlines can affect anyone's health even children, no matter the race. That is why there are so many children in therapy. Wanting to succeed so bad in sports, you use steroids and banned substances, is something we have all watched play out in this country for over 30 years.
2
Every thing that ever happened is about race. We white people are clearly the cause of all the bad in the world.
1
This is precisely the end result of the political homogenization of the sciences.
We have data. "Black people have higher rates of hypertension and get sick faster." We have people who self describe as determined and willing to succeed. And the lesson? That a determination and a will to succeed actually cause these illnesses?
I don't think I've ever heard a more ridiculous interpretation of available evidence. The fact that this was published and is now being taken seriously by not only the scientific community writ large, but apparently the New York Times is enough to drive me to despair.
Apparently, the vast body of research related to the health effects of stress escaped Mr. Brody's notice. The psychological effects of living in straitened circumstance and how that causes stress is ignored. Dozens of plausible interpretations were skipped over in favor of one which only serves to edify a specific subset of the United States.
My issue here is not that someone attempted to discover what causes these trends. My issue is that such transparently frivolous reasoning is given the weight of fact by a scientific community that is more concerned with discovering the right things than they are concerned with discovering true things.
We have data. "Black people have higher rates of hypertension and get sick faster." We have people who self describe as determined and willing to succeed. And the lesson? That a determination and a will to succeed actually cause these illnesses?
I don't think I've ever heard a more ridiculous interpretation of available evidence. The fact that this was published and is now being taken seriously by not only the scientific community writ large, but apparently the New York Times is enough to drive me to despair.
Apparently, the vast body of research related to the health effects of stress escaped Mr. Brody's notice. The psychological effects of living in straitened circumstance and how that causes stress is ignored. Dozens of plausible interpretations were skipped over in favor of one which only serves to edify a specific subset of the United States.
My issue here is not that someone attempted to discover what causes these trends. My issue is that such transparently frivolous reasoning is given the weight of fact by a scientific community that is more concerned with discovering the right things than they are concerned with discovering true things.
3
This was a very interesting read--I definitely enjoyed it more than most of the other articles over the past week. I wish the author included some statistics about other races (I don't know if the researchers are focusing on other races or if they're only focusing on black and white). There are a lot of articles that only talk about the differences observed between Black and White America--what about the other races? Hispanics? Asians? etc.?
The effect is certainly quite disheartening to hear--that individuals who society would like to see more of, those who are relentlessly hard-working and pushing to strive their best, are more likely to get sick because of their efforts.
The effect is certainly quite disheartening to hear--that individuals who society would like to see more of, those who are relentlessly hard-working and pushing to strive their best, are more likely to get sick because of their efforts.
1
Have there been any studies examining the possible negative effects on a group of people who, through no fault of their own, are continually demonized as being privileged oppressors merely for being born a member of a particular ethnic group?
2
The consequences of having to fight hard to succeed are manifest in the body. I'm reminded of the book by Malcolm Gladwell, Outliers. He makes the point that luck plays an enormous part in economic success in the US. Being born into wealth creates an easier path to wealth---yet the wealthy insist it was their "hard work" not luck of birth. That's the lie in America. This makes people say, "I work hard, why am I not rich?" Unrealistic expectations that in the US, you can have it all, if only you weren't so lazy and lacked talent. I agree with another commenter. It's not just African-Americans. The opiate addiction in young white unemployed males is a consequence of this stress. The narrative is that a poor white male is unemployed and poor because he's lazy or stupid---he's not black, he's not Latino, he's been given all the opportunity, so he must be lazy.
1
Doubtless what most White people here will argue. is that this same condition affects them too, and perhpas that's true -- just disproportionately.
The truth is, Whites will never know the difficulties bound with being non-White in a patently racist America, but they will never be able to admit it, of course, knowing all things better.
However the truth stands, it is the institutionalized racism that makes life difficult for African-Americans when it comes to income disparity, employment, education, housing, and almost every other aspect of life in a country that has consistently proven itself to be if anything, less than all-welcoming.
And with the recent (s)election of a "President" who boasts an endorsement from the Ku Klux Klan, and has ties to White Supremacists, it's hard to imagine things will be getting easier for them in the near future.
The truth is, Whites will never know the difficulties bound with being non-White in a patently racist America, but they will never be able to admit it, of course, knowing all things better.
However the truth stands, it is the institutionalized racism that makes life difficult for African-Americans when it comes to income disparity, employment, education, housing, and almost every other aspect of life in a country that has consistently proven itself to be if anything, less than all-welcoming.
And with the recent (s)election of a "President" who boasts an endorsement from the Ku Klux Klan, and has ties to White Supremacists, it's hard to imagine things will be getting easier for them in the near future.
1
While I'm not at all doubting external factors such as stress affecting African-Americans, I think that researchers need to look at how slavery affected African-Americans genetics. For example, approximately one-third of the people brought over from Africa died on the journey. Thus through natural selection (although it was most certainly NOT natural, but man made) this event may have given people with certain genetic traits a survival advantage then, that manifests as an unwanted trait now. This combined with forced breeding for certain traits as well as genetically mixing with white slave owners may have produced a group with a very different genetic makeup then current West African blacks.
1
are you guys accepting comments still? No new comments since this morning. What gives?
So when will we start to focus, as a society, on the structural parts of our system that drive a wedge through society, forcing some upwards and the rest downwards?
Once we understand the nature of that wedge, we can seek out the remedy that will remove that wedge.
Prescription? Read two 19th century books, both by Henry George, both available online.
First, a book of essays entitled "Social Problems". Read them in whatever order suits you.
Second, a more structured analysis of the underlying source of the problem. Its title is "Progress and Poverty," and it sold perhaps 6 million copies in the 1880 to 1900 period.
Its subtitle is a mouthful: "An inquiry into the cause of industrial depressions and of increase of want with increase of wealth ... The Remedy."
It was dedicated "to those who, seeing the vice and misery that spring from the unequal distribution of wealth and privilege, feel the possibility of a higher social state and would strive for its attainment" and it continues to inspire those who understand its ideas.
Were our economy and society more just, many people who today suffer from disabling emotional difficulties would be able to live normal lives, and "John Henryism" would largely disappear.
For a shorter intro, you might explore Walt Rybeck's "ReSolving the Economic Puzzle" and "The Mason Gaffney Reader: Essays Toward Solving the Unsolvable."
Thoreau: "There are a thousand hacking at the branches of evil
to one who is striking at the root."
Once we understand the nature of that wedge, we can seek out the remedy that will remove that wedge.
Prescription? Read two 19th century books, both by Henry George, both available online.
First, a book of essays entitled "Social Problems". Read them in whatever order suits you.
Second, a more structured analysis of the underlying source of the problem. Its title is "Progress and Poverty," and it sold perhaps 6 million copies in the 1880 to 1900 period.
Its subtitle is a mouthful: "An inquiry into the cause of industrial depressions and of increase of want with increase of wealth ... The Remedy."
It was dedicated "to those who, seeing the vice and misery that spring from the unequal distribution of wealth and privilege, feel the possibility of a higher social state and would strive for its attainment" and it continues to inspire those who understand its ideas.
Were our economy and society more just, many people who today suffer from disabling emotional difficulties would be able to live normal lives, and "John Henryism" would largely disappear.
For a shorter intro, you might explore Walt Rybeck's "ReSolving the Economic Puzzle" and "The Mason Gaffney Reader: Essays Toward Solving the Unsolvable."
Thoreau: "There are a thousand hacking at the branches of evil
to one who is striking at the root."
2
The thesis about John Henryism seems accurate to me. My experience suggests that the syndrome can affect whites, too.
At one point, I (a Caucasian) was employed in a workplace where I was harassed over a period of years. I continued to perform at a high level and outwardly coped. Eventually, my cortisol levels spiked to off the charts levels and I developed anxiety symptoms that required medication, as well as stomach and gum disorders.
Some 15 years after leaving this toxic environment, my symptoms have abated significantly. There is no doubt in my mind that immersion in an unremittingly hostile environment can adversely affect a person's health, whether or not the indivisible tries to cope.
At one point, I (a Caucasian) was employed in a workplace where I was harassed over a period of years. I continued to perform at a high level and outwardly coped. Eventually, my cortisol levels spiked to off the charts levels and I developed anxiety symptoms that required medication, as well as stomach and gum disorders.
Some 15 years after leaving this toxic environment, my symptoms have abated significantly. There is no doubt in my mind that immersion in an unremittingly hostile environment can adversely affect a person's health, whether or not the indivisible tries to cope.
46
I agree. Although I am a black woman who was raised in a middle class family in Washington DC, I worked in an extremely stressful position with managers who themselves were under a lot of stress. I was diagnosed with a heart arrhythmia and hard to control high blood pressure. I eventually resigned the position. About a year after I left the position, I went to my doctor for a physical, and she remarked that she could no longer hear the arrhythmia. Also, my blood pressure became much easier to manage.
Did you work for the federal government?
Suggestion for future research: assess men and women separately.
23
Thank you, Ellen!
Look at the gross rebuttals available here.
First, young African Americans going to college would certainly seem to qualify as the group likely to (strive and) suffer. And in the last few years there have been a number of protests coming from young African American college students claiming discrimination. Perhaps that is a big overt expression of the gist of this article.
But wait as the critical African American (and Prof.) Walter E. Williams pointed out (see for example "Cruelty to Black Students") the big overt discrimination at a college is likely found in the admissions office (he offers relevant numbers). That affirming discrimination has tended to place African American students into settings where they were significantly behind the academic expectations. And thus frustration, protests, and suffering-stress. And that is exactly the opposite story that the author has laid out here.
Finally, consider the non-striving - at least academically - inclined African American youth of the inner cities. How are their lives going and what kind of a future are they moving towards?
First, young African Americans going to college would certainly seem to qualify as the group likely to (strive and) suffer. And in the last few years there have been a number of protests coming from young African American college students claiming discrimination. Perhaps that is a big overt expression of the gist of this article.
But wait as the critical African American (and Prof.) Walter E. Williams pointed out (see for example "Cruelty to Black Students") the big overt discrimination at a college is likely found in the admissions office (he offers relevant numbers). That affirming discrimination has tended to place African American students into settings where they were significantly behind the academic expectations. And thus frustration, protests, and suffering-stress. And that is exactly the opposite story that the author has laid out here.
Finally, consider the non-striving - at least academically - inclined African American youth of the inner cities. How are their lives going and what kind of a future are they moving towards?
9
Is this the same Walter Willams who has written of the causes of the Civil War and concluded that the war should not have been fought because of a trivial issue over tariffs? He also disputed the studies of historians, Williams is not one, whose research conclusively demonstrates that slavery was the primary cause. Finally, the briefs filed in the University of Michigan affirmative action case contain summaries of social science research on the academic outcomes of compensatory programs. They uniformly dispute his findings. If one can't get the cause of the Civil War right, which are beyond dispute, why should any other of his research carry weight?
Not all times African Americans who go to college are behind academically, some are stressed out in wanting not to let their families down,let their race down, being excluded and ostracized because of their intelligence, racism and bias. When I attended college many many years ago and scored the highest score in math, I was not congratulated. I only heard it was the black girl who scored the highest. I believe stress becomes innate by constantly being exposed to being black in a system who wants us to view ourselves as representatives of every black in the country, where a white person only feels he represents his affiliation with him/her family--feeling constantly under the microscope
Of course the only people who have to strive for anything are black. For us white people money just falls out of the sky until we marry doctors or inherit our families multimillion dollar business. Everything just falls into our laps without any effort at all. There are no white people who are discriminated against, right?
As a white transgender woman, I have directly experienced discrimination. I know what its like for people to look down on you, to stare at you and protect their kids from you. I know what its like when someone looks at you and scrunches up their face in disgust. I know what its like to not be able to use the bathroom, or ever feel safe.
Im not naive, I know that a black transgender woman on average has it worse then me. But come on, the narrative in the NYT is that white people never have any problems, and that DOES make people angry.
This study just smacks of confirmation bias. What population of "blue collar" whites did this person study? Why didnt this guy also study a group of white people that have to beat the odds, like LGBT white people or foster children?
As a white transgender woman, I have directly experienced discrimination. I know what its like for people to look down on you, to stare at you and protect their kids from you. I know what its like when someone looks at you and scrunches up their face in disgust. I know what its like to not be able to use the bathroom, or ever feel safe.
Im not naive, I know that a black transgender woman on average has it worse then me. But come on, the narrative in the NYT is that white people never have any problems, and that DOES make people angry.
This study just smacks of confirmation bias. What population of "blue collar" whites did this person study? Why didnt this guy also study a group of white people that have to beat the odds, like LGBT white people or foster children?
42
Suggestion- reread this. OIt does not say that right now, white people are NOT sufferimg the effects that blacks had been shown to suffer exclusively - it says the reverse. 0in the US in the 1980's. The writer quotes researcher Dr. James: "But now white Americans are experiencing a great deal of economic — and, dare I say, psychological — pain because of their dislocation as a result of powerful macroeconomic forces.”
Nowhere does it impy that only black people are discrminated against; and the nose to the grindstone achievers described were working for success, the opposite of expecting good things to drop into their laps.
Why if you have tasted discrimination would you be so angry at others who have suffered, instead of having a spark of recognition of what a burden you share, and some insight into how general health is affected by being made outsiders in society?
Nowhere does it impy that only black people are discrminated against; and the nose to the grindstone achievers described were working for success, the opposite of expecting good things to drop into their laps.
Why if you have tasted discrimination would you be so angry at others who have suffered, instead of having a spark of recognition of what a burden you share, and some insight into how general health is affected by being made outsiders in society?
2
Have you ever taken into consideration the fact that certain studies pertain to certain specific groups for a particular reason? And that has NOTHING to do with bias.
Indeed, if there is someone out there in the LGBT Community who wants to undertake the same, or similar study, then they should get out there and do it.
As for angry White people -- How do you think we ended up with this "President"?
Indeed, if there is someone out there in the LGBT Community who wants to undertake the same, or similar study, then they should get out there and do it.
As for angry White people -- How do you think we ended up with this "President"?
2
You can't get clear results if you don't have the right subjects. You're overstating things...Everybody has it hard in their 'pursuit of happiness', but the outcomes are clearly much better for some than others. If you were white, this might be understood better as the discrimination you'd face as a working class person from a poor family trying to break into an environment (say..law firm) primarily made up of Harvard Educated Upper Middle Class white folks.
Even better, the adversity that white women face versus their male counterparts in their professional lives.
I don't think its hard to understand. People just don't want to listen when race is mentioned.
The point of the study is NOT race, but a group/community of people that face clear adversities. Clearly black folk where an easy choice because you could eliminate quite a lot of other socio-economic factors.
Perhaps they could clarify your question - if they had a mixed, randomised group of working class, underprivileged people from all backgrounds...? I don't know... Lets try to see the study for what it is, not some racial thing. This forum would be empty if the subjects white women, disabled, LGBT or any other discriminated against group. 'Race' just riles people up for no good reason.
Even better, the adversity that white women face versus their male counterparts in their professional lives.
I don't think its hard to understand. People just don't want to listen when race is mentioned.
The point of the study is NOT race, but a group/community of people that face clear adversities. Clearly black folk where an easy choice because you could eliminate quite a lot of other socio-economic factors.
Perhaps they could clarify your question - if they had a mixed, randomised group of working class, underprivileged people from all backgrounds...? I don't know... Lets try to see the study for what it is, not some racial thing. This forum would be empty if the subjects white women, disabled, LGBT or any other discriminated against group. 'Race' just riles people up for no good reason.
1
There was an earlier study sited some years ago in the Times where a public health worker discovered an unusually high rate of chronic ailments usually associated with old age among inner city residents who were all in their later 20's and early 30's. The conclusion?
The stress of poverty causes premature aging and increases the onset of chronic disease. Add the stress of race and racism and you have a formula that is literally deadly for thousands of people of color.
At a biological level it is the prolonged, unrelenting stress of a hard life that causes this response. But at a social level, poverty and racism amplify this tipping point.
These are not the only studies that have tried to understand the biological consequences racism and poverty. The science is fairly well advanced on these issues. But our socio-political response has been to basically ignore them.
As this article points out some of these same biological consequences are now showing up among the increasingly distressed white working class.
Opioide addiction among whites has begun to be seen as a public health issue rather than only a criminal justice matter. I applaud that change. But during the crack era black addiction was characterized as a character failure.
While I wish it were not the case, maybe the medical plight of white workers will get our politicians to see that these same health consequences have disproportionately fallen on blacks for the last hundred years. Maybe now they will act.
The stress of poverty causes premature aging and increases the onset of chronic disease. Add the stress of race and racism and you have a formula that is literally deadly for thousands of people of color.
At a biological level it is the prolonged, unrelenting stress of a hard life that causes this response. But at a social level, poverty and racism amplify this tipping point.
These are not the only studies that have tried to understand the biological consequences racism and poverty. The science is fairly well advanced on these issues. But our socio-political response has been to basically ignore them.
As this article points out some of these same biological consequences are now showing up among the increasingly distressed white working class.
Opioide addiction among whites has begun to be seen as a public health issue rather than only a criminal justice matter. I applaud that change. But during the crack era black addiction was characterized as a character failure.
While I wish it were not the case, maybe the medical plight of white workers will get our politicians to see that these same health consequences have disproportionately fallen on blacks for the last hundred years. Maybe now they will act.
19
I would be curious as to whether women who ran against the glass ceiling following the passage of the civil rights legislation in the elate 1960s suffered the same fate.
18
Thank you, Gail! I completely agree. We need more studies on gender discrimination.
From my perspective, one of the points of the article is that African Americans face daily stresses, discriminations, and obstacles that most white people don't even know exist (white privilege, yep it's real). This is negatively affecting the health of African Americans. More recently, white working class folks are facing some (though not all because they don't experience daily racism) of the same obstacles. This is affecting their health negatively as well. I wonder why some readers find this so controversial? To me, this article points out aspects of our society that we Americans need to address - another dimension of the fatal poison that racism delivers and the need to address economic inequality and access to education for a 21st century world for all Americans. Come on people, stand up for each other.
34
I don't remember ever benefitting from white privilege.
I remember being dirt poor and not eating dinner many nights because we were either out of food or our utilities had been cut off because my single mother could not pay the bills. Being white certainly didn't prevent my sibling from being killed or my family from having to borrow the money for a funeral from strangers. Being white did not protect me from living through horrific domestic violence.
I was never once offered a college scholarship based on my race or my gender.
I was never once offered a job so that a company could pump up its diversity statistics.
Despite being white, I was routinely taken advantage of financially and professionally but I didn't have the means or the freedom to ever fight back.
I got speeding tickets I did not deserve and then I got fines I could not hope to pay without asking someone for a loan.
You simply have no idea what you're talking about. How dare you assume all whites have had privilege.
I remember being dirt poor and not eating dinner many nights because we were either out of food or our utilities had been cut off because my single mother could not pay the bills. Being white certainly didn't prevent my sibling from being killed or my family from having to borrow the money for a funeral from strangers. Being white did not protect me from living through horrific domestic violence.
I was never once offered a college scholarship based on my race or my gender.
I was never once offered a job so that a company could pump up its diversity statistics.
Despite being white, I was routinely taken advantage of financially and professionally but I didn't have the means or the freedom to ever fight back.
I got speeding tickets I did not deserve and then I got fines I could not hope to pay without asking someone for a loan.
You simply have no idea what you're talking about. How dare you assume all whites have had privilege.
2
Why can't downtrodden American minorities such as blacks from the south, whites from Appalachia and Mexicans emigrate to Europe. The Times has often pointed out that the low birth rates there mandate rapid rates of immigration. It would seem easier to integrate Americans than Gambians or Nigerians.
8
why would Europe want unskilled Americans in their midst?
I am a successful white, high-tech worker with advanced degrees.
I am looking to migrate to Denmark.
The last year I checked (2015), Forbes ranked Denmark number 1 for business and ranked the US number 22.
I am looking to migrate to Denmark.
The last year I checked (2015), Forbes ranked Denmark number 1 for business and ranked the US number 22.
That's an excellent point. But the reason is that EU rules give preference to migrants from other EU nations. Individually, countries prioritize immigration from their commonwealth states--former colonies that still recognize the European head of state as their own. The gaps are filled in by anyone classified as a refugee seeking asylum, which tends to disproportionately comprise those from more troubled parts of the world.
For everyone else, Europe has a points system that sets criteria for wealth, language, age, education, skillset and relatives. That rules out just about everyone in the groups you mention.
I would also add that, within those groups especially, emigration isn't something people actually prefer to do by and large. It seems drastic, emotional and at odds with their identities. I warrant that even Mexican migrants move north simply for work, and most do not intend to take American citizenship, but rather return home once they are in a better financial situation. Going to Spain, for example, would provide them no language barrier, but travel would be so expensive and arduous they might never make it back.
For everyone else, Europe has a points system that sets criteria for wealth, language, age, education, skillset and relatives. That rules out just about everyone in the groups you mention.
I would also add that, within those groups especially, emigration isn't something people actually prefer to do by and large. It seems drastic, emotional and at odds with their identities. I warrant that even Mexican migrants move north simply for work, and most do not intend to take American citizenship, but rather return home once they are in a better financial situation. Going to Spain, for example, would provide them no language barrier, but travel would be so expensive and arduous they might never make it back.
The incidence of type two diabetes has exploded over the last twenty years. The other rate explosion is obesity. Both are related to diet. Diet is also at the center for the development of hypertension. In Malawi, health providers found that people from villages where few cases of hypertension occurred. often developed hypertension after moving to the city. Diet is seen as the main cause. Mrs. Obama was on tract in her attempt to address diet and obesity. There is a significant increase in awareness. Nutrition values are printed on most packaged foods and fast food establishments are listing values. Even so, with a car full of kids, it is really easy to go to a drive through.
7
Obesity, related high blood pressure and diabetes have burgeoned in the last 7 or 8 decades. How do we know that isn't related to the (helpful) introduction into most of our drinking water of commercial-grade fluoride, a byproduct of the manufacturing of aluminum, due to the clever lobbying by aluminum companies who needed someplace to get rid of their fluoride? Nobody that I know of has done a longitudinal study to compare rates of obesity and its attendant ills to times at which whole populations began to be unwittingly (and helpfully) fed fluoride daily.
Maybe fluoride pushes physiological systems off balance, causing individuals' appetite regulation to become out of whack. And causing any other symptoms, depending on the particular body.
Why don't legislators get their heads out of the political thicket where fluoride is concerned and realize they have been prescribing a chemical to the societies they swear to protect -- without having done any at all research to discover whether or not it is a good idea?
Maybe fluoride pushes physiological systems off balance, causing individuals' appetite regulation to become out of whack. And causing any other symptoms, depending on the particular body.
Why don't legislators get their heads out of the political thicket where fluoride is concerned and realize they have been prescribing a chemical to the societies they swear to protect -- without having done any at all research to discover whether or not it is a good idea?
1
This is important work.
It is a very compelling study because of the influences on health and wellness. There have been public health studies published on how true lack of opportunity and discrimination in provision of health care or early interventions have adversely impacted people of color in this country.
We compiled them in graduate school.
This subject is data-driven--not anecdotal, as in a fellow in Kansas got along well as he noted in a comment down this page.
It is a matter of statistics, data, research and evidence. It's important and of value to public health policy. Therein is the critical value.
It's like science.
It is a very compelling study because of the influences on health and wellness. There have been public health studies published on how true lack of opportunity and discrimination in provision of health care or early interventions have adversely impacted people of color in this country.
We compiled them in graduate school.
This subject is data-driven--not anecdotal, as in a fellow in Kansas got along well as he noted in a comment down this page.
It is a matter of statistics, data, research and evidence. It's important and of value to public health policy. Therein is the critical value.
It's like science.
4
In a lot of ways, this is really repeating what studies of the impact of Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) already found. Not surprising, since children who must deal with abuse, parental drug use or alcoholism, parental incarceration, and other major stressors must certainly exhibit "high effort coping" just to survive much less to prosper. The bottom line, regardless of race or age, is that coping with chronic stress of any sort triggers hormonal reactions which have a deleterious effect on numerous body systems and ultimately shorten the lifespan. Unfortunately, as the article concludes, most people's stress levels are not likely to decrease any time soon.
6
Interesting findings, but the study needs to look at the political beliefs of those black men who show high degrees of John Henryism. I am inclined to believe John Henryism would be much higher in Democratic men than Republican men. The reason is that Democratic men are more likely to believe the system is rigged against them because of their race. Republican men would not default to race as the reason for not achieving a goal, but would consider the whole range of non-racial reasons.
6
The web site link for how long you will live based on location is only for the state of California.
1
Ah ha.....you've discovered the Law of Statistics: There are three kinds of lies: Lies, damned lies, and statistics.
The huge number of immigrants, legal and illegal, who live in California skews the statistics to show..........well, to show whatever the statistician wants it to show.
The huge number of immigrants, legal and illegal, who live in California skews the statistics to show..........well, to show whatever the statistician wants it to show.
1
Is the stress also because of breakdown of nuclear family structures (single parenthood)? Without a strong family and extended family there may not be enough "stress absorbents".
7
The higher many minorities go, the more alone they find themselves, at least in terms of others like them. The more they find daily prejudice and "surprise" at their position/role.
Not at all surprising that this leads to health stress. Daily and continuous (meaning all day) battles to establish credibility the far less competent are given a default acceptance on, simply because of the color of their skin, is something tough to fight against. It's especially tough when you know the battle will never end, but is something you will need to face each and every day.
These health findings are merely proof of the fact that there Is nothing "post racial" about our society.
Not at all surprising that this leads to health stress. Daily and continuous (meaning all day) battles to establish credibility the far less competent are given a default acceptance on, simply because of the color of their skin, is something tough to fight against. It's especially tough when you know the battle will never end, but is something you will need to face each and every day.
These health findings are merely proof of the fact that there Is nothing "post racial" about our society.
9
And yet those pesky Asians outlive on avg whites, blacks.
1
Correlation does not equal causation.
African Americans have a higher chance of high blood pressure, whereas Blacks outside the US do not. There are a very many reasons this could happen.
The researcher hypothesizes - actually that's too strong a word; he guesses - that this is due to African Americans experiencing "so much more exclusion and degradation."
But it could equally be because American Blacks eat a far less healthy diet than non-American blacks, and/or suffer higher rates of obesity (& there would be complex reasons for the poor diet/obesity as well).
It could be because of the stressors of living in constant danger from gang warfare & guns and trying to 'strive' despite that. (NOT that all Blacks live in the inner city--of course not. However, statistically they may well impact the averages.)
Or it could be from the stressors of being a single parent trying to raise kids 'successfully' on a very limited income, in a very stressful environment.
It could be from having livable jobs taken by illegal immigrants, and the stress of running around with 2-3 crappy jobs instead.
You see? I can play this game too. I can take scientific study & then throw out my own political guesses that happen to align with my own biases.
I don't get paid to do this though, and I certainly don't get my ruminations published in an article as though they were fact.
African Americans have a higher chance of high blood pressure, whereas Blacks outside the US do not. There are a very many reasons this could happen.
The researcher hypothesizes - actually that's too strong a word; he guesses - that this is due to African Americans experiencing "so much more exclusion and degradation."
But it could equally be because American Blacks eat a far less healthy diet than non-American blacks, and/or suffer higher rates of obesity (& there would be complex reasons for the poor diet/obesity as well).
It could be because of the stressors of living in constant danger from gang warfare & guns and trying to 'strive' despite that. (NOT that all Blacks live in the inner city--of course not. However, statistically they may well impact the averages.)
Or it could be from the stressors of being a single parent trying to raise kids 'successfully' on a very limited income, in a very stressful environment.
It could be from having livable jobs taken by illegal immigrants, and the stress of running around with 2-3 crappy jobs instead.
You see? I can play this game too. I can take scientific study & then throw out my own political guesses that happen to align with my own biases.
I don't get paid to do this though, and I certainly don't get my ruminations published in an article as though they were fact.
27
You have touched on a point that is still being studied: that 16% of Black men with college degrees and 11% of black men without college degrees voted for Trump. Just show a correlation between those numbers and the number of Black men who have had jobs taken by immigrants (legal and illegal) and you have a theory that is likely to be more factual than Mr. Hamblin's theories.
It's no accident that rail yards had trucks driven by Black men - trucks with Trump stickers. Same for construction jobs, electrical power plants, and so on.
These men are interested in color - green, the color of money. They listened to Trump's message and voted for him.
It's no accident that rail yards had trucks driven by Black men - trucks with Trump stickers. Same for construction jobs, electrical power plants, and so on.
These men are interested in color - green, the color of money. They listened to Trump's message and voted for him.
1
You play the game badly. All of the stressors you list are equally present for white persons of disadvantaged backgrounds. The article says “We found this for black persons from disadvantaged backgrounds, but not white persons.”, so your explanations don't explain the data.
1
Are you being facetious? Most jobs aren't being taken away by immigrants. They're being lost to technology and will never return even if the U.S. Stops immigration 100 percent.
2
The "X" factor has changed, I posit, because striving is good, but not against odd odds. What I mean is that racism is more prevalent, today, so, that if I have to prove myself to a racist boss, I have already lost the game.
3
from-the-1940s. Believe me, racism is not more prevalent today in the US than it was in the past.
1
Racism is not more prevalent today. Sitting on the Internet and not doing any work is more prevalent.
Excellent piece.
A top down work environment guarantees an early death, especially if you are "different". "Kissing" Ass requirement is deadly, in the end.
A top down work environment guarantees an early death, especially if you are "different". "Kissing" Ass requirement is deadly, in the end.
7
It's not surprising to find that stress can disrupt the immune system and lead to illness. It stands to reason then that constant striving and constant stress can leave a person with a lifelong chronic illness.
11
The USA is killing off all non-Anglos and non-Scandinavian looking people, already, by demanding what cannot be achieved. They have set it that way so that the Anglos and Scandinavians can achieve. But, as Mother Teresa remindes us: "Strive, anyway."
3
Get to work
High blood pressure in African Americans is linked to obesity, diabetes and likely a genetically based salt sensitivity. There is zero evidence that it is linked to racism or working hard.
The author makes so many scientific and logical errors in this convoluted and amateurish essay; including over-generalizing from the common cold study to implying that the only biological difference between blacks and whites is melanin concentration in the skin.
Epidemiology shows that disease vulnerabilities are often unevenly distributed among genetically different sub-groups, which is not limited to blacks but extends to Caucasians, Jews and Han Chinese, among others.
The author has done a disservice to NYT readership, by presenting a sloppy discussion that attempts to tie politics and sociology with physiology, instead of presenting actual rigorous, peer-reviewed biomedical research on hypertension in general, and specifically in blacks.
The author makes so many scientific and logical errors in this convoluted and amateurish essay; including over-generalizing from the common cold study to implying that the only biological difference between blacks and whites is melanin concentration in the skin.
Epidemiology shows that disease vulnerabilities are often unevenly distributed among genetically different sub-groups, which is not limited to blacks but extends to Caucasians, Jews and Han Chinese, among others.
The author has done a disservice to NYT readership, by presenting a sloppy discussion that attempts to tie politics and sociology with physiology, instead of presenting actual rigorous, peer-reviewed biomedical research on hypertension in general, and specifically in blacks.
34
Not ONE WORD mentioned about the health benefits of a balanced diet and light exercise.
15
Somehow an interesting medical report got turned into a diatribe against Trump and reiteration of the NYT's mantra about race, the filter through which all reporting must flow.
It's marked "opinion", which I guess excuses anything, but it would have been better to have a straight science/medical column describing the results of the study.
It's marked "opinion", which I guess excuses anything, but it would have been better to have a straight science/medical column describing the results of the study.
34
Amazing that folks always think others have it soooo easy. New flash. Most people live stressful lives, most people have health problems, most people wish they had more money and less financial problems, most people wish they could eat healthier and work out more. Yes, there is a class of white elites that have it pretty good (they probably subscribe to the NYT! and voted for Hillary). For the rest of us, its a drag called life. You're not special in your pain, and I'm sick of the "I'm the victim and you have to pay for it" mentality in this country.
32
It's unclear how this comment relates at all to the article. The main argument of the article was not that everyone was a victim but that the John Henry effect DIDN'T appear in most groups, only in those people most disadvantaged who pushed hardest against adversity. And the very people who suffer the most adverse health effects are exactly those who do NOT cry victim but instead persevere trying to succeed in hostile environments.
12
Measurements by yardstick, by thermometer, by scale, etc. can be accurate: they are objective.
Measurements of adversity and perseverance and hostility cannot be accurately measured: they are subjective.
Can we estimate adversity, perseverance, and hostility? Yes - but there is no scientific way to do so. Again, the measurement is subjective: the subject says "I had to work harder than anyone else".
This is quasi-scientific information presented as scientific information.
Measurements of adversity and perseverance and hostility cannot be accurately measured: they are subjective.
Can we estimate adversity, perseverance, and hostility? Yes - but there is no scientific way to do so. Again, the measurement is subjective: the subject says "I had to work harder than anyone else".
This is quasi-scientific information presented as scientific information.
1
Hamblin says that Dr. Brody (Miller, Chen, Brody) used the Common Cold Project (presumably CP2 1997-2001) data at Carnegie Mellon, but Dr. Brody has been following his own cohort in rural Georgia for many years. What gives?
3
You say something suffers in the immune systems of people who persevere in the face of adversity. OK. So what are you advocating? That people don't persevere in the face of adversity. If you look at most artistic,scientific, technological, business,or sports break-throughs...someone had to suffer for it to come to fruition. I don't think a medical researcher wakes up in the morning and says "hey I'm going to find a cure for cancer today but I'm doing it on cruise control." Or does an NFL quarterback go to work thinking to himself .."we're going to win the Super Bowl ...by phoning it in." We don't advance as an individual, as a family, or as a society unless we are willing to make sacrifices.
11
Bobsmith pls take more time to read the article and more about this concept. it's really nothing knew in the science community.
these researchers are not linking all of life's struggles and challenges with risk of developing disease - the signal here is mainly socioeconomic. if you don't have to worry about socioeconomic discrimination in the pursuit of a professional goal, then you are less likely to exhibit this concept.
these researchers are not linking all of life's struggles and challenges with risk of developing disease - the signal here is mainly socioeconomic. if you don't have to worry about socioeconomic discrimination in the pursuit of a professional goal, then you are less likely to exhibit this concept.
7
The article says that white people can work hard and achieve without the health sacrifices. It's terrible that people of color work hard, achieve, and yet seem to have to pay this price in loss of health. It isn't saying we should all phone it in. It's saying we should have a more level playing field.
7
Thee article isnt advocating anything. It's a report.
5
Because after the teenage phase of “I wish I was white,” there comes the stage of pretending to oneself and others that one doesn’t care what whites think of him, but he does. He really, really does. And he must know it at some level. It’s a fixation as unhealthy as it is sad. It can make one angrier at whites than is deserved. Some never mature beyond this stage, and their mental and physical health suffers for it. The cure is recognizing it as a subset of a larger disease, which afflicts many whites, too.
12
With all the health issues facing us--obesity, smoking, substance abuse from alcohol and legal and illegal drugs, lack of physical strength/health due to failure to get enough physical activity and exercise, etc.--this is the big issue? Are you kidding me? I am an objectively successful person, the result of a combination of being born to the right parents at the right time in history in the right country, on the one hand, and working my butt off in school and on the job, on the other. I enjoyed studying and working hard. I really didn't have any choice in the matter, as I am just wired that way. Most people have mountains to climb and obstacles to overcome--that is the point of life. Jeez!!!
13
Glad you admit the good luck that put you ahead of the game. Like 2d or 3rd base. Lots of people born on home plate bust their butts, too, but never get anywhere. Success is a combination of luck and sometimes hard work. Many wealthy people were born to wealth and hard work for success was optional.
8
"I enjoyed studying and working hard.........I am just wired that way". You would have succeeded no matter what color your skin is.
Same with Reginald Lewis, the first black billionaire (in the 1980's). Same with Clarence Otis Jr., black, head of Darden Restaurants; same with Richard Parsons, black, head of CitiGroup then head of Time Warner; same with Oprah Winfrey, billionaire. The list is longer than many people think......but they don't want to look at the successes. Just the failures.
Same with Reginald Lewis, the first black billionaire (in the 1980's). Same with Clarence Otis Jr., black, head of Darden Restaurants; same with Richard Parsons, black, head of CitiGroup then head of Time Warner; same with Oprah Winfrey, billionaire. The list is longer than many people think......but they don't want to look at the successes. Just the failures.
1
Luck is the new culprit. It's not luck that I was born to college educated parents. They worked hard to go to college, then planned a family of six when they could afford to have kids. we in turn worked hard and did the same for our kids. It's not luck silly.
1
This article makes me remember
an Indian woman I stayed with in Mumbai.
She admitted to me that she was not a striver
or ambitious and that she was completely fine
with that. Then I remember Du Bois in "The Souls of
Black Flok" where he writes about the internal striving
of a people coming out of U.S. enslavement. Upward mobility
as a trope presents itself strongly in black life and I appreciate that
Hamblin questions this idea. Finally, I remember Zora Neale
Hurston's character Janie, a black American woman,
in her novel "Their Eyes Were Watching God" and the
unique way she unfolded her life unfettered by the eyes
of her community. Maybe John Henryism stays alive because
we feel the eyes of a resurrected overseer burning holes
through our back. Though I would earn the ire of Garvey, I say:
Please clear the way and let me pass, I do intend to give up here.
an Indian woman I stayed with in Mumbai.
She admitted to me that she was not a striver
or ambitious and that she was completely fine
with that. Then I remember Du Bois in "The Souls of
Black Flok" where he writes about the internal striving
of a people coming out of U.S. enslavement. Upward mobility
as a trope presents itself strongly in black life and I appreciate that
Hamblin questions this idea. Finally, I remember Zora Neale
Hurston's character Janie, a black American woman,
in her novel "Their Eyes Were Watching God" and the
unique way she unfolded her life unfettered by the eyes
of her community. Maybe John Henryism stays alive because
we feel the eyes of a resurrected overseer burning holes
through our back. Though I would earn the ire of Garvey, I say:
Please clear the way and let me pass, I do intend to give up here.
6
"Ar Clayboy" and "Charles W" tell us, respectively, that (a) all of this is about the Left's obsession with "equal outcomes" and (b) that, since African American's have the lowest IQ on average, there's no point in trying to try to achieve equal outcomes.
1. The point about the Left wanting "equal outcomes" is a deliberate con perpetrated by far right mentally unbalanced individuals (Bannon, for example). There is not one sane person anywhere who has ever advocated "equal outcomes" in all situations. none.
2. Regarding IQs: I have conducted over 1000 IQ tests. In a number of cases, I've retested individuals. The same person can have scores varying as much as 10, 20 or more points depending on fatigue, stress, anxiety, physical pain, etc.
If you think about it, that pretty much proves Mr. Hamblin's point.
To sum up: (a) perceived stress (not necessarily "external" or "objective" stress) does have adverse physiological effects (one commenter argued with me, saying the brain has no effect on cells!!) - if you doubt this, spend some time researching high quality sites on psychoneuroimmunology; and (b) realize that all else being equal, if you grow up in ideal circumstances, and someone else grows up in the most adverse circumstances imaginable, it's likely that at the very least, that person is going to have to work harder to achieve the same level of success.
Please, reflect before reacting.
www.remember-to-breathe.org
1. The point about the Left wanting "equal outcomes" is a deliberate con perpetrated by far right mentally unbalanced individuals (Bannon, for example). There is not one sane person anywhere who has ever advocated "equal outcomes" in all situations. none.
2. Regarding IQs: I have conducted over 1000 IQ tests. In a number of cases, I've retested individuals. The same person can have scores varying as much as 10, 20 or more points depending on fatigue, stress, anxiety, physical pain, etc.
If you think about it, that pretty much proves Mr. Hamblin's point.
To sum up: (a) perceived stress (not necessarily "external" or "objective" stress) does have adverse physiological effects (one commenter argued with me, saying the brain has no effect on cells!!) - if you doubt this, spend some time researching high quality sites on psychoneuroimmunology; and (b) realize that all else being equal, if you grow up in ideal circumstances, and someone else grows up in the most adverse circumstances imaginable, it's likely that at the very least, that person is going to have to work harder to achieve the same level of success.
Please, reflect before reacting.
www.remember-to-breathe.org
18
Not to mention that IQ can also be negatively impacted by poor maternal nutrition or exposure to drugs in utero, consumption of food or water contaminated by lead, insecticides, or other pollutants, and lack of appropriate intellectual stimulation in early childhood. It angers me to no end when I hear the "blacks have lower IQs" argument trotted out without any consideration of the possibility that environment rather than genetics is responsible for that.
2
You make good points. The next step would be to work for better nutrition for women who are pregnant or expect to become pregnant (and that's any woman who is having sex with a man), to stress the absolute importance of abstaining from drugs and insisting that her partner abstain from drugs. Helping the prospective parents to brush up on reading, and to read to the babies they have or will have is another positive step.
And it's one we can do in our own towns and cities. No need to fly across an ocean, try to communicate in a different language. Just help at a school, a church in a poor neighborhood, a community group. Just do it.
And it's one we can do in our own towns and cities. No need to fly across an ocean, try to communicate in a different language. Just help at a school, a church in a poor neighborhood, a community group. Just do it.
2
Amen, Nikki. Environment, genetics - and not just physical environment, but as the author is saying here, socio-cultural environment.
What so many negative commenters are saying has a seed of merit - it's no doubt true (in fact, I'm putting together an e-course that emphasizes this, in part), that it is possible, in virtually any socio-cultural environment, no matter how pathological, that strivers may maintain such profound inner peace, stability, equanimity, inner wisdom, compassion for those around them (particularly those who make life harder for them by ignoring their own privilege) that they will thrive without any psychological or physical health consequences.
But let me invite the naysayers to try an experiment.
I'd like to invite specifically those who grew up in upper-middle class or wealthier families (I'm sure there are quite a few among Times Op-Ed readers). You never had a thought as to having enough, you vacationed in various locales as a child, all over the world, you went to the best private schools, etc. You know who I'm talking about.
Now, you really need to take some time with this. I'll assume, possibly you've visited a very poor neighborhood once in your life (or you may be like my friend the dancer who went to law school and met several classmates who had never taken the subway and had no idea even how to pay for it).
Imagine you grew up in that neighborhood. Do this in detail and tell me, do you really think your success would be as easy?
What so many negative commenters are saying has a seed of merit - it's no doubt true (in fact, I'm putting together an e-course that emphasizes this, in part), that it is possible, in virtually any socio-cultural environment, no matter how pathological, that strivers may maintain such profound inner peace, stability, equanimity, inner wisdom, compassion for those around them (particularly those who make life harder for them by ignoring their own privilege) that they will thrive without any psychological or physical health consequences.
But let me invite the naysayers to try an experiment.
I'd like to invite specifically those who grew up in upper-middle class or wealthier families (I'm sure there are quite a few among Times Op-Ed readers). You never had a thought as to having enough, you vacationed in various locales as a child, all over the world, you went to the best private schools, etc. You know who I'm talking about.
Now, you really need to take some time with this. I'll assume, possibly you've visited a very poor neighborhood once in your life (or you may be like my friend the dancer who went to law school and met several classmates who had never taken the subway and had no idea even how to pay for it).
Imagine you grew up in that neighborhood. Do this in detail and tell me, do you really think your success would be as easy?
So now we can add "striving while Black" to the list of threats to Black lives! What a condemnation of American society.
21
Look at any set of people in an especially isolating environment and you will likely see the same thing. A good follow-up study would be women in science, or in software engineering, or in construction. I suspect that African-Americans stand out in the study as a group only because they represent a single large demographic that suffers fairly uniform stressors. For women you'd have to distinguish between subgroups. But if you did some more careful sub-sampling, a study specifically designed to look for the John Henry effect could likely find some version of it in many populations.
This article actually seems fairly common-sense and unsurprising to those who have been in such situations. As a woman in nearly an all-male field I was constantly sick in graduate school and as a postdoc, knocked out by every little virus that went around, and that susceptibility disappeared when I entered a more balanced environment. It was clear at the time that my immune system was working poorly, in a way consistent with all the studies on stress. That's one anecdote only, but fits the hypothesis perfectly.
This article actually seems fairly common-sense and unsurprising to those who have been in such situations. As a woman in nearly an all-male field I was constantly sick in graduate school and as a postdoc, knocked out by every little virus that went around, and that susceptibility disappeared when I entered a more balanced environment. It was clear at the time that my immune system was working poorly, in a way consistent with all the studies on stress. That's one anecdote only, but fits the hypothesis perfectly.
6
Why are we paying for building a wall and not offering more health care?
59
This is good validation of information we already had as hearsay. Now the question is can a stressed employee sue its employer for health deterioration caused by stress at work?
I think we need to come up with some metric system to document that.
I think we need to come up with some metric system to document that.
4
The article presents information that is subjective, not objective, thus not an accurate measure of anything.
1
It's ironic that people who prove themselves successful after a stressful childhood and young adulthood don't always live long enough to enjoy what they've achieved. What this study may show, when looked at in conjunction with other studies about those who have survived with severe stress for long periods of time, is that too much stress wears out the body and the mind. If we have to constantly put on an act to be acceptable to society at large and hide who we are to almost every person in our lives, it's stressful. When we are told that our contributions don't matter even if we work hard, or that we're fired, not because we've done a bad job but because we're excess baggage, and this happens repeatedly, it has an effect on our willingness and ability to keep going.
At some point we break. This is not racial issue so much as it is a human issue. The racial issue is how our society treats minorities and the assumptions that are made, especially the ones applied to African Americans. As a lesbian I get to hear all sorts of idiotic assumptions about my "lifestyle", or my "choice to be different" that aren't made about straight people. As a woman I hear assumptions about me. As the sister of a handicapped brother I hear assumptions about him and his family that make my blood boil. The worst are the cruel remarks people make, some with the full knowledge that they are wrong. The human issue: how people who are cruel to others justify it and continue the hurting.
At some point we break. This is not racial issue so much as it is a human issue. The racial issue is how our society treats minorities and the assumptions that are made, especially the ones applied to African Americans. As a lesbian I get to hear all sorts of idiotic assumptions about my "lifestyle", or my "choice to be different" that aren't made about straight people. As a woman I hear assumptions about me. As the sister of a handicapped brother I hear assumptions about him and his family that make my blood boil. The worst are the cruel remarks people make, some with the full knowledge that they are wrong. The human issue: how people who are cruel to others justify it and continue the hurting.
59
Tell all this to people who survive wars and ruin to live to be 95. Everybody demeans others in some way, please don't let your point of view determine you understanding of the big picture.
8
CK, what are you referring to? Did you read what I wrote or did you respond to an inner voice?
10
Right, like your point of view doesn't determine your understanding of the big picture.
So it really is healthier to be lazy. I always thought so...
45
I am a white middle-class woman who worked harder than any man in my company to move into a management position in the 1990s. At meetings, if I had an idea or a solution to a problem and I voiced it, it was as if my voice were a whisper in the wind; my ideas or solutions were acknowledged only by slight head nods, and we would move on. Soon after, some man in my department would say virtually the exact same thing that I said, and would be lauded for his wonderful ideas.
I learned to eat my pride and found that I could get anything done so long as I didn't care who got the credit for it. This went on for years.
Then one day, we were told we had a shot at a large federal grant for innovative programs in our departments' areas, but that the departments would have to compete for them. My team of mostly women managers worked long and hard for weeks to present our proposal. When the grant went to a group of engineers who presented nothing more than a one-page rehashed old idea, I inquired, in behalf of my team, as to why our proposal tanked. I was told by the CEO and CFO (privately, of course) that a group of women could not possibly be given the grant; to do so would be a slap in the face to the men in the company.
Three months later I was diagnosed with renal failure and I spent 2 years on dialysis until I got a kidney transplant.
I learned to eat my pride and found that I could get anything done so long as I didn't care who got the credit for it. This went on for years.
Then one day, we were told we had a shot at a large federal grant for innovative programs in our departments' areas, but that the departments would have to compete for them. My team of mostly women managers worked long and hard for weeks to present our proposal. When the grant went to a group of engineers who presented nothing more than a one-page rehashed old idea, I inquired, in behalf of my team, as to why our proposal tanked. I was told by the CEO and CFO (privately, of course) that a group of women could not possibly be given the grant; to do so would be a slap in the face to the men in the company.
Three months later I was diagnosed with renal failure and I spent 2 years on dialysis until I got a kidney transplant.
69
Congratulations on having a successful kidney donation and being released from the burdens of dialysis. You should thank your lucky stars not to have the myriad of diseases and health issues that can arise from kidney failure and dialysis and to have found a kidney donor, many people with end stage renal disease suffer terribly and do not share your outcome.
Exactly!
How do you measure "determination to succeed"? Do people use certain words in describing their goals? Do they gesticulate as they speak? Do they work a certain number of hours a week? Do they work and go to school at the same time?
This article makes no mention of trying to control for diet or lifestyle. Studies that do not control for such factors are meaningless.
My wife (who is white) suffers from PTSD. She was chronically bullied as a child. It is called Post Traumatic Stress Disorder for a reason. It involves a lot of stress. In high school, she was a national merit scholarship finalist. Since then, she has written four books, and is an accomplished fiber artists. She has strived mightily against great difficulties and adversity. And yet, in her early 50s, she is in excellent health.
Why? Because of her diet lifestyle. She walks or bicycles everyday, running almost all her errands on her bike or on foot. She has been a vegan almost her entire life.
My life has not been so stressful, though living with someone with PTSD is itself stressful. As a successful small business owner, I feel I have done a good deal of striving. And yet I too am in very good health. I almost never get sick. I bicycle almost every day, almost never driving. I too am a long-time vegan.
The bottom line is that good health is about diet and lifestyle. Yes, maybe stress can adversely affect health. But diet and lifestyle can go a long way toward ameliorating the effects of stress.
This article makes no mention of trying to control for diet or lifestyle. Studies that do not control for such factors are meaningless.
My wife (who is white) suffers from PTSD. She was chronically bullied as a child. It is called Post Traumatic Stress Disorder for a reason. It involves a lot of stress. In high school, she was a national merit scholarship finalist. Since then, she has written four books, and is an accomplished fiber artists. She has strived mightily against great difficulties and adversity. And yet, in her early 50s, she is in excellent health.
Why? Because of her diet lifestyle. She walks or bicycles everyday, running almost all her errands on her bike or on foot. She has been a vegan almost her entire life.
My life has not been so stressful, though living with someone with PTSD is itself stressful. As a successful small business owner, I feel I have done a good deal of striving. And yet I too am in very good health. I almost never get sick. I bicycle almost every day, almost never driving. I too am a long-time vegan.
The bottom line is that good health is about diet and lifestyle. Yes, maybe stress can adversely affect health. But diet and lifestyle can go a long way toward ameliorating the effects of stress.
6
Dan, all that is based on having a good life and not going through constant severe stress. It's about having access to good food, being able to exercise, having the money to live in a decent affordable place. There are plenty of people today who are making double what their parents made who aren't able to afford a decent place to live, haven't got access to health care when they need it, can't exercise because there's no place or time for it. We live in a time and a country that gives very little consideration to the lives of the working people. We jeer at anyone who, for any reason, cannot make it by themselves. We allow people to remain jobless or working for so little that they cannot find a place to live. In other words America, as it is now, and has been for decades, does nothing to help the working class people who keep her going. And, unless you have made your millions or were born into millions, if you have to work every day for a paycheck, you are working class and subject to that sort of stress. It's very debilitating to live, every day, with the knowledge that no matter how hard or well you work, you can lose everything because of your job being eliminated, an accident, or a serious illness requiring medical attention.
Welcome to America, home of the frazzled and bewildered.
Welcome to America, home of the frazzled and bewildered.
29
Please be aware that all of the details of our research cannot be given in a brief newspaper article. We have, in fact, studied the effects of diet and lifestyle in our research program. The results may not generalize to your wife, however, because the participants in our studies have been Black Americans living in poverty in the rural South.
To answer your question about measurement of determination to succeed in this particular study, we used responses from 5366 participants in the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health (Add Health). Add Health questions concerning the concept that we identified as striving involved aspirations to go to college, focus on current work in high school, belief in hard work and optimism, and the amount of time devoted to relaxation.
As a personal note, I am White, I was raised by a schizophrenic mother and a father with a personality disorder, I went to college on a National Merit Scholarship, was elected to three honor societies in college, hold a master's degree, have worked as a research associated for 32 years, have co-authored six scholarly articles and book chapters, am 59 years old, and my health is trash.
To answer your question about measurement of determination to succeed in this particular study, we used responses from 5366 participants in the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health (Add Health). Add Health questions concerning the concept that we identified as striving involved aspirations to go to college, focus on current work in high school, belief in hard work and optimism, and the amount of time devoted to relaxation.
As a personal note, I am White, I was raised by a schizophrenic mother and a father with a personality disorder, I went to college on a National Merit Scholarship, was elected to three honor societies in college, hold a master's degree, have worked as a research associated for 32 years, have co-authored six scholarly articles and book chapters, am 59 years old, and my health is trash.
13
Eileen, thank you for taking the time to respond. I remain entirely unconvinced that high aspirations or a determination to succeed are in any meaningful way detrimental to health. If this were true, Olympic athletes would be in poor health, as would professional basketball players and other sports professionals. You say you are in poor health. I am sorry to hear this. I would be very interested to know more about your diet and lifestyle.
It is true that to succeed academically, and at many professions today requires a certain amount of sitting at a desk (unless you are lucky enough to have a treadmill desk). This, combined with maybe not getting enough sleep, obviously is not good for health. But if a person can manage to find a way to exercise and eat right, even a sedentary job or career need not spell the end of good health.
It is true that to succeed academically, and at many professions today requires a certain amount of sitting at a desk (unless you are lucky enough to have a treadmill desk). This, combined with maybe not getting enough sleep, obviously is not good for health. But if a person can manage to find a way to exercise and eat right, even a sedentary job or career need not spell the end of good health.
Fascinating. I'm getting tears in my eyes realizing I'm reading about my mom. She died from cancer at a relatively young age. She loved and loved well, and succeeded despite her difficult life.
17
Similar to be a woman, no?
21
There is a glaring blind spot in this reporting, and it's gender. The syndrome is even named after a man. And what if you are a woman AND African American?
12
And how about if you are a woman, African-American, blind, handicapped AND gay?
1
Even white, devoting your life to work against racism and injustice can make you sick. Perhaps there is something essentially screwed up about those of us who insist on holding up a mirror, but the added isolation, public shunning, endless work, withdrawn social support, and financial/social punishments for challenging the norms of the priviledged, is a death sentence. Greed wins by killing it's detractors.
6
Yes, life is hard ... then you die. Get used to it.
3
Simplistic nonsense. Health disparity, including access to health care, good food, work/life balance and income figure mightily in people's health status. Always must be considered when looking at disease. The more disparity, the worse the outcome. People are more stressed than ever now.
7
Similar to being a woman, no?
3
I guess this is what masquerades as science in a "progressive" world.
10
This seems to also correlate to the ACEs study (adverse childhood events) that also showed medical issues down the line for certain numbers of ACEs in a persons life.
3
One of the basic tenets that differentiate science from "alternative facts" is that science does not draw conclusions of causality based on two things occurring at the same time. Thus Black strivers have more hypertension because of white racismis not a scientific conclusion, any more than to say that too much sugary drinks in the childhood diet is the cause.
7
My absolutely anecdotal evidence - I have spent my life living in a foreign country as an immigrant, with everything that implies: having to learn a new language and customs, always trying to conform and not make mistakes, having to be so much better to get a job that you deserve, and of course, the money you deserve, trying to figure out the school system for your children etc. etc. For the last twenty years I had high blood pressure. About five years ago I started spending 6 months a year in my native country - I had dizzy spells and realized that living in my native country, my blood pressure went back to normal. When I came back to my adopted country, up it went again. Bizarre. My life hasn't been bad and I certainly seem happy but it took a toll on my health.
17
Occasionally (OK, more than occasionally) one finds an article that fits equally well in the Times or the Onion. Consider this exhibit A. Except the Onion is funnier.
Let me summarize:
1) Diligent strivers (?) given a cold viruses are more likely to get sick
2) White blood cells in strivers are "prematurely aged"
3) Young blasks with an "unrelenting" determination to succeed are more likely to get diabetes (than whom?)
4) It only happens to poor blacks (assuming that's what "disadvantaged backgrounds" means
5) "Decades" of research show that when resilient people strive in a system "that has not afforded them the same opportunities as others" they get sick.
6) One black individual (yes, one) who went from poverty to wealth developed hypertension in his 40s.
7) Dr James (an epidemiologist, not a psychologist) created the John Henryism scale.
8) Working hard only hurts poor blacks, not poor whites
9) Working hard is stressful and could result in "constantly bathing cells"
10) A website will tell you how long you will live (if you live in California)
11) Whites do suffer from John Henryism! (but only if they are Finnish. And they don't get diabetes, they have heart attacks).
12) "Globally, there is no association between skin color" and longetivity. Well, except actually there is (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_countries_by_life_expectancy#/medi...
12) RACISM!
That is powerful stuff!
Let me summarize:
1) Diligent strivers (?) given a cold viruses are more likely to get sick
2) White blood cells in strivers are "prematurely aged"
3) Young blasks with an "unrelenting" determination to succeed are more likely to get diabetes (than whom?)
4) It only happens to poor blacks (assuming that's what "disadvantaged backgrounds" means
5) "Decades" of research show that when resilient people strive in a system "that has not afforded them the same opportunities as others" they get sick.
6) One black individual (yes, one) who went from poverty to wealth developed hypertension in his 40s.
7) Dr James (an epidemiologist, not a psychologist) created the John Henryism scale.
8) Working hard only hurts poor blacks, not poor whites
9) Working hard is stressful and could result in "constantly bathing cells"
10) A website will tell you how long you will live (if you live in California)
11) Whites do suffer from John Henryism! (but only if they are Finnish. And they don't get diabetes, they have heart attacks).
12) "Globally, there is no association between skin color" and longetivity. Well, except actually there is (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_countries_by_life_expectancy#/medi...
12) RACISM!
That is powerful stuff!
16
We all know that stress brings on health problems. But to drag racism into this? Is there no end to your attempts to have a race stamp on everything? Note how Asians are left out of the discussion on stress, work and getting ahead. And, of course, how Trump is dragged into this.
This is ideological opinion masquerading as journalism.
This is ideological opinion masquerading as journalism.
25
See comment above from an MD who studied stress in Chinese-American populations. (citizen vox, point #3). In his study, the same effect appeared in an Asian population. The studies described in the article seem not to have explicitly studied Asian Americans, and may not have included many in the sample.
2
I am amazed how many high-recommendations occur in these comments under comments which express denial that racism can possibly be the cause of bad cellular outcomes. (At least three sets of tens and 13s.) I am interested in doing a study on what it takes (limited brain empathy center? early traumatization and denial of one's own experiences? lack of empathy for one's own traumatic experiences? never or rarely being empathized with when you were lonely, shunned or discriminated against for no good reason?) Denial in the face of science. That seems to be going around. (BTW, there is a march of scientists being planned in D.C. soon. Anyone can go.)
1
Who and what is an African American?
My earliest known white European American ancestor was living in Lancaster County the Virginia Colony in 1640 where he died in 1670.
My earliest known free person of color black African American ancestors were living in South Carolina and Virginia from just before the American Revolution.
My earliest known black African enslaved ancestors were living in Georgia in 1830/35 along with my white European ancestors who owned and bred with them.
My earliest known brown Native American Cherokee ancestors were living in Georgia, Virginia and South Carolina in 1830/35. Their ancestors came to North America from Asia 13,000 years ago.
This heritage by American white supremacist racist prejudiced socioeconomic political educational historical convention makes me all and only black African American.
The biological DNA genetic evolutionary fit reality is that there is only one multicolored multiethnic multi-faith and multi-national origin one human race species that began in Southeast Africa 250, 000 years ago. Neither color nor ethnicity nor national origin nor faith are "race" markers.
Donald Trump's first American ancestor was his German grandfather. Mike Pence's first American ancestor was his Irish grandfather. They both need to get out of my America and go back where they came from.
My earliest known white European American ancestor was living in Lancaster County the Virginia Colony in 1640 where he died in 1670.
My earliest known free person of color black African American ancestors were living in South Carolina and Virginia from just before the American Revolution.
My earliest known black African enslaved ancestors were living in Georgia in 1830/35 along with my white European ancestors who owned and bred with them.
My earliest known brown Native American Cherokee ancestors were living in Georgia, Virginia and South Carolina in 1830/35. Their ancestors came to North America from Asia 13,000 years ago.
This heritage by American white supremacist racist prejudiced socioeconomic political educational historical convention makes me all and only black African American.
The biological DNA genetic evolutionary fit reality is that there is only one multicolored multiethnic multi-faith and multi-national origin one human race species that began in Southeast Africa 250, 000 years ago. Neither color nor ethnicity nor national origin nor faith are "race" markers.
Donald Trump's first American ancestor was his German grandfather. Mike Pence's first American ancestor was his Irish grandfather. They both need to get out of my America and go back where they came from.
15
If we all went back to where we came from, can you imagine how crowded the Olduvai Gorge would be?
6
(Makes me smile.)
ALL THINGS BEING EQUAL
1. Hypertension (HTN) has genetic and lifestyle causes. Among lifestyle factors that probably influence blood pressure are obesity (itself affected by food choices, sedentary/active lives, genes) and possibly salt intake).
2. There have been academically sound research since at least the 1940's that stress affects blood presssure. The problem is that we lack a definition of stress and means to quantify it. Also there are studies that preparation for weddings causes stress, so are all types of stress harmful and to be avoided?
3. As a grad student in Anthropology, I did find a statistically significant different in blood pressures among Chinese immigrants to SF, based on whether the immigrated in youth or in mid-life, both groups were studied between 45-55 yrs of age. The latter group had the higher pressures.
4. All else being equal, maintaining healthy weights and leading active lives decrease the risk of HTN and are the best medicines for HTN. If also needed there are multiple types of medications that are highly effective in bringing blood pressures down to safe levels. But it takes good cooperation between patient and doc.
AND IT TAKES ACCESS TO AFORDABLE HEALTH CARE.
MD PhD MPH
1. Hypertension (HTN) has genetic and lifestyle causes. Among lifestyle factors that probably influence blood pressure are obesity (itself affected by food choices, sedentary/active lives, genes) and possibly salt intake).
2. There have been academically sound research since at least the 1940's that stress affects blood presssure. The problem is that we lack a definition of stress and means to quantify it. Also there are studies that preparation for weddings causes stress, so are all types of stress harmful and to be avoided?
3. As a grad student in Anthropology, I did find a statistically significant different in blood pressures among Chinese immigrants to SF, based on whether the immigrated in youth or in mid-life, both groups were studied between 45-55 yrs of age. The latter group had the higher pressures.
4. All else being equal, maintaining healthy weights and leading active lives decrease the risk of HTN and are the best medicines for HTN. If also needed there are multiple types of medications that are highly effective in bringing blood pressures down to safe levels. But it takes good cooperation between patient and doc.
AND IT TAKES ACCESS TO AFORDABLE HEALTH CARE.
MD PhD MPH
6
Lower socio-economic status also supposed differences in diet and life style. This study focuses on one part of life style.. For all people at the beginnings of or in mid -career there can be significant stress... Maybe that's why retired I no longer have hypertension but I do have diabetes... and I am white, rarely fat, and well diet can vary from healthful to too much sugar and fat. (and the A1c numbers can vary as well.. all the way from the acceptable 5.6 to 7.9 when I weight 15 extra pounds which is slightly obese or obese in terms of my BMI. We do need safety nets to reduce stress and IMO we need something to replace the church as a means of establishing community. As individuals we also need to act well.. (PS families and friends as well as work can cause a lot of stress for individuals.)
2
I think this is likely to be caused by the stress associated with facing discrimination, police harassment, and the stresses of early life on the low end of the socioeconomic spectrum, rather than race, per se.
Nonetheless, race may contribute in one way. Vitamin D deficiency is associated with hypertension. The darker skin blocks some of the rays that catalyze D production in the skin. D deficiency may also account for why African Americans have more prostate cancer than caucasians.
Nonetheless, race may contribute in one way. Vitamin D deficiency is associated with hypertension. The darker skin blocks some of the rays that catalyze D production in the skin. D deficiency may also account for why African Americans have more prostate cancer than caucasians.
8
Stress is caused by a succession of bad choices.
Upward mobility comes at a price, regardless of gender or ethnicity. The pervasive attitude that white males are all entitled, regardless of class of origin is divisive. Choosing to leave one's class of origin is incredibly hard and comes at a price. The costs have a lot less to do with discrimination based on gender or ethnicity and a lot more to do with discrimination based on class and economic status.
21
There are a number of studies that conclusively appear to support exactly what the studier wanted to prove. In this case it appears to want to demonstrate that blacks in the US have had a tough time and now have yet another crutch to blame some aspect of their lives on the behavior of others. Unfortunately there are so many outliers in this overly broad attempt that the "conclusions" being thrown about have little value. Should blacks in the US not strive? Should they go somewhere without competition? Should they be given things instead of working for them?
And of course the NYT loves articles that stir up the racial pot.
And of course the NYT loves articles that stir up the racial pot.
16
Because it isn't stressful at all to be presumed to want a crutch when you've been excelling and working hard all of your life and never asked for anything but equal access.
That narrative that we just want handouts and excuses contrary to all evidence of this study is from whence this stress derives. No matter how hard we work. No matter how high we rise, it is still told by people like you that we are receiving things we didn't deserve, that we don't want to work hard and looking for excuses to complain and to be lazy.
I have two sons the same age--one white and one black. The black child was reading at a college freshman level in kindergarten. Not only was he brilliant and hard working, he was a very easy kid who followed the rules. His brother was a a great kid too, but was a B student who didn't flower as a striver until his last year of college.
The black child got a full IB diploma with a 4.9 weighted GPA. Had a 34/ACTs, 2290/SATs and was a student leader growing human rights awareness on his campus. His brother had a 26/ACTs, 1900/SATs, 3.5 9 non-weighted (they don't weight when you don't take all IB/AP/Honors classes which my black child did). I started a log when they were in kindergarten, making a mark each time someone said either boy would receive something he didn't deserve solely because of race. When they graduated from high school, my black child had almost 3,500 marks in his log, my white had ZERO. One was viewed as "deserving." Guess which one?
That narrative that we just want handouts and excuses contrary to all evidence of this study is from whence this stress derives. No matter how hard we work. No matter how high we rise, it is still told by people like you that we are receiving things we didn't deserve, that we don't want to work hard and looking for excuses to complain and to be lazy.
I have two sons the same age--one white and one black. The black child was reading at a college freshman level in kindergarten. Not only was he brilliant and hard working, he was a very easy kid who followed the rules. His brother was a a great kid too, but was a B student who didn't flower as a striver until his last year of college.
The black child got a full IB diploma with a 4.9 weighted GPA. Had a 34/ACTs, 2290/SATs and was a student leader growing human rights awareness on his campus. His brother had a 26/ACTs, 1900/SATs, 3.5 9 non-weighted (they don't weight when you don't take all IB/AP/Honors classes which my black child did). I started a log when they were in kindergarten, making a mark each time someone said either boy would receive something he didn't deserve solely because of race. When they graduated from high school, my black child had almost 3,500 marks in his log, my white had ZERO. One was viewed as "deserving." Guess which one?
17
Dear Marnita:
This is now the 4th comment I've submitted on this article. The first of my comments was the 2nd to appear on this page - I wanted to get ahead of the game because I anticipated all kind of truly offensive, biased comments.
I was trying to focus on logical and scientific errors, but your comment is so much better than anything I could have thought of.
What a wonderful comment. I hope everyone here takes time to read it and offer a recommendation. 3500 marks for one son, none for the other.
That says it all.
This is now the 4th comment I've submitted on this article. The first of my comments was the 2nd to appear on this page - I wanted to get ahead of the game because I anticipated all kind of truly offensive, biased comments.
I was trying to focus on logical and scientific errors, but your comment is so much better than anything I could have thought of.
What a wonderful comment. I hope everyone here takes time to read it and offer a recommendation. 3500 marks for one son, none for the other.
That says it all.
1
Wow, a study on two people applied universally.
I have absolutely no doubt that self-imposed stress to achieve can weaken you and make you more susceptible to disease. Every mother and grandmother on earth knows this. I was so many times cautioned by my mom - "you're making yourself sick," worrying about test results after I big exam or whether or not I was going to get a job after a very challenging technical interview.
On the flip side - nobody suggested I should worry less when I was studying for the tests in the first place. And I believe what you're saying is that stress is stress, it makes you sick.
Like the person taking the test said for his $800, "it's a job."
Life is a job. It might make us ill. Let's not reduce the level of care for people striving to make themselves better because they simply will get ill, as I did struggling to make something of themselves.
And lets teach people how to stress less over things they can do nothing about. Let's get unnecessarily sick people out of the clinics.
On the flip side - nobody suggested I should worry less when I was studying for the tests in the first place. And I believe what you're saying is that stress is stress, it makes you sick.
Like the person taking the test said for his $800, "it's a job."
Life is a job. It might make us ill. Let's not reduce the level of care for people striving to make themselves better because they simply will get ill, as I did struggling to make something of themselves.
And lets teach people how to stress less over things they can do nothing about. Let's get unnecessarily sick people out of the clinics.
6
Jackie Robinson was chosen to be the first African-American in baseball, not only because of his skills but because he was able to handle the horrific abuse that the Dodger organization knew would come. Is it a wonder that Jackie Robinson, a superb athlete was almost blind when he died at the age of 53, after years of struggling with heart disease and diabetes?
36
Intuitively, who would doubt these results? But it would be a mistake, I think, to see racism as the sole driver in bad outcomes. While not all who claw their way up a ladder of success may wreck their health, it hurts a good many-- regardless of race, creed, color or national origin. The Protestant Ethic ("work hard and you will get your reward" is one version) may hold true to a degree for wealth, but it does not predict health or happiness... quite the contrary. The "successful" executive with sky-high hypertension is an old chestnut medically. FDR would be one of the most famous examples.
3
Hypertension is a very complex condition determined by a number of factors and no matter what race stress can be a contributing factor but the only factor.
1
Personal experience indicates men and women at the tip of the business pyramid can be the bicoastal distributors of stress. But can they make people sick? The gentleman's theory is specific to blacks. Would it hold true for workers of Asian descent? Can we look forward to EEOC suits alleging disparate treatment based on the impact of a company's culture on an ethnic segment of that company's workforce?
to be born poor in the south is to face lots of stress at every rung of the ladder of life opportunities. And as one who experiences it often, including hypertension, heart disease, it is very real, and no doubt doubly so for blacks. So what is the choice: none, really, strive, face the stress and live the best life possible with what you have. This research is provocative and should be expanded. But for policy, keep making opportunities available for strivers and ample health services along the way and let the natural tendency to move along flourish. A life of full engagement with challenges is far better than despair.
And we should think about this issue as we encourage imigration to this country. We need to be a bit more honest about opportunity. No doubt we offer strivers more here than many, but not all. And we could do more to help strivers and others in their home countries thus lessening the pressures to leave.
And we should think about this issue as we encourage imigration to this country. We need to be a bit more honest about opportunity. No doubt we offer strivers more here than many, but not all. And we could do more to help strivers and others in their home countries thus lessening the pressures to leave.
5
There is an unacknowledged element to the article (though I admire both it and the research upon which it is based), and this is the prolific sensibility that more is better. Rarely do we, as Americans, posit a notion of what is enough, what is okay or even good. Greatness is virtue is value - which is terribly pernicious, and results in a ubiquitous sense of self-shame. It also results in the necessary epiphany on a personal level, should an individual be fortunate enough to come to it, that expectations can be moderated and well-being emphasized. This, however, should not be a personal, psychological or spiritual revelation, but a cultural value, supplanting the obligation towards greatness. Greatness should be optional, and for those individuals who wish to pursue it. Good and okay should be the expectations - a profound societal paradigm shift that would re-align the culture in fundamental ways for the better.
3
That's funny, I was told that my high blood pressure was in my genes and ran in the family. If it's not one thing, it's another.
5
This is heartbreaking! The cost of determination has negative consequences on our health if faced with great adversity. But everyone in the minority needs to keep pushing, keep advancing, and keep the determination. Not just to improve our own conditions, but to make it less burdensome for the next generation.
1
Are we really seeing a discrete recapitulation of the ACE study?
Intergenerational transmission of trauma is rampant in the black community (see Joy De Gruy). Trauma increases with poverty. That black strivers (aka workaholics) suffer trauma outcomes is not surprising. Kids who are abused often think their job is to "be perfect, so I can earn my spot on the planet and be liked." This is not exactly a healthy inner voice.
Adverse Experiences in childhood (abuse, neglect, family disarray) are highly correlated to many health outcomes in adulthood including hypertension, heart disease, cancer and diabetes. The kids who do not spiral down often become lonely warriors and achievers.
I think you have re-discovered one sub-category of the formerly traumatized: the black uber-striver. I suspect you see the same issue in white uber-strivers too, but when compounded by racism the results are worse.
Grit it out, persevere, and do it "all alone" is an adaptive/rewarded way to drag yourself out of a traumatized youth, but it can be an adulthood filled with misery and loneliness.
Intergenerational transmission of trauma is rampant in the black community (see Joy De Gruy). Trauma increases with poverty. That black strivers (aka workaholics) suffer trauma outcomes is not surprising. Kids who are abused often think their job is to "be perfect, so I can earn my spot on the planet and be liked." This is not exactly a healthy inner voice.
Adverse Experiences in childhood (abuse, neglect, family disarray) are highly correlated to many health outcomes in adulthood including hypertension, heart disease, cancer and diabetes. The kids who do not spiral down often become lonely warriors and achievers.
I think you have re-discovered one sub-category of the formerly traumatized: the black uber-striver. I suspect you see the same issue in white uber-strivers too, but when compounded by racism the results are worse.
Grit it out, persevere, and do it "all alone" is an adaptive/rewarded way to drag yourself out of a traumatized youth, but it can be an adulthood filled with misery and loneliness.
10
Sorry, but being a leader in any setting makes you a minority -- most people are not leaders. Al Sharpton feels the stress not because of his color, but because of his position: he is a leader.
In Teddy Roosevelt's parlance, these are the people who, if they fail, they fail while daring greatly. Leaders face self-induced stress no matter their race, color, or creed.
In Teddy Roosevelt's parlance, these are the people who, if they fail, they fail while daring greatly. Leaders face self-induced stress no matter their race, color, or creed.
3
This article is interesting in the sense average science fiction is interesting. It is sufficiently complicated to suggest gravitas, while sufficiently vague to fit nicely into the "you fill in the blank as your imagination guides you" sort of fiction. It's compliant with the very popular use of the term "a study" to promulgate the lie that exercise and eating right has nothing to do with proper weight.
I'm a liberal saddened by the fact that the Left is lost on a sea of PC illusions and social kumbaya, where science starved minds fill in their blanks with wish thinking and guesses based on complaint and the outrage hobby.
"The site works only for people in California.... " Now there's a coincidence, I bet this story works best for people there, too.
I'm a liberal saddened by the fact that the Left is lost on a sea of PC illusions and social kumbaya, where science starved minds fill in their blanks with wish thinking and guesses based on complaint and the outrage hobby.
"The site works only for people in California.... " Now there's a coincidence, I bet this story works best for people there, too.
11
I think that the initial study/conclusions were flawed. People that are more diligent and tend to strive for success would not let researchers spray their nostrils with a rhinovirus known to cause the common cold and then be quarantined in hotel rooms for five days and monitored for symptoms in return for $800.
5
Are you serious? You can't be serious. Strivers will do anything for money if they're broke. You can't keep striving if you can't pay your rent.
When I was working on my Master's degree, in a fiercely competitive program at an Ivy League university, I participated in exactly the same type of study (this one to test a cold medicine.) I needed money to survive, and my full-time, minimum-wage job paid a hell of a lot less than $500 a week.
When I was working on my Master's degree, in a fiercely competitive program at an Ivy League university, I participated in exactly the same type of study (this one to test a cold medicine.) I needed money to survive, and my full-time, minimum-wage job paid a hell of a lot less than $500 a week.
2
As a follow-up to my previous comment:
The US has recently experienced an increase in illness and a decrease in life-span in components of the white population. These are the very individuals on whom the effects of the recession and other societal and economic changes have had devastating effects that were beyond their ability to control, thus adding constant stresses not there before.
The US has recently experienced an increase in illness and a decrease in life-span in components of the white population. These are the very individuals on whom the effects of the recession and other societal and economic changes have had devastating effects that were beyond their ability to control, thus adding constant stresses not there before.
4
There were some headlines a while back that, in spite of all of the health advances and discoveries over the last fifty years, the life expectancy of white males was getting shorter rather than longer. The U.S. has been in a constant state of aggression (subtle as well as overt) against Afro-americans for the past several centuries, and it's interesting to discover that folks are just beginning to realize that there is a cost not only for the victims of racism but for those who promote and perpetuate it as well. Maybe the chickens are coming home to roost.
3
It's not likely that the fall in life expectancy for middle-aged white men is due to some sort of cost for their being racists. The reason for the decline in life expectancy is simply the decline in their economic opportunities and status. No matter who the "loser" is in the economic gain, or why, the loser will suffer physical consequences.
2
You can't with any credibility suggest that health norms in societies of congruent cultural practices can be compared to a society that celebrates and encourages for better for worse for profit or non, free and diverse cultural practices. The United States is a non-homogenous country, people are independent in their choices more so than anywhere else. I have numerous black friends, many, not all, eat a high fructose, high fat, high sodium based diet. They tend not to eat fruits and raw vegetables and organic foods. They eat processed foods by choice, not by economics. You do no one any favors and possibly harm true racism by suggesting the ills of black people are a result of white racism. Editorials like this make me ponder no further why we have Trump as President.
10
First of all the Trump administration is working on healthcare. Why the Times continually slants its reporting is malicious, unfair and biased. They are not stopping anyone from their Obamacare. Blacks have more hypertension, prostate cancer and the women die from breast cancer. Anyone who can read can google symptoms of any disease state such as cervical cancer. Lifestyle attributes tremendously to a person's health. Your trying to make this a racial issue is ridiculous. If a person chooses not to get a yearly physical, pap, breast, prostate and other tests then be prepared for the consequences. They may just be deadly.
2
I wouldn't think this is race specific. Anyone who begins their life on the lower end of the socioeconomic ladder would experience very high levels of stress and have a higher probability of health related issues as they attempt to move up the ladder, irregardless of one's race.
To play the race card for something such as this is unbelievable.
To play the race card for something such as this is unbelievable.
17
The fact is for Black people life can be a lot harder because of whites who consistently denigrate us and deny doing it. Just the use of the dismissive term "play the race card" demonstrates your racism, Seth. You, sir, are part of the problem!
14
Did you read the entire article? It mentions that it is not race-specific.
8
The article clearly states that the effect is only race-related in the US, where persistent hostility against non-white people adds to the already difficult circumstance of living in poverty. In other nations not so blatantly anti-black, the effect is not related to race.
One of the problems I see in the US, including in the NYT comments section, is people ignoring or overlooking bits of reality that don't confirm their preconceived notions.
One of the problems I see in the US, including in the NYT comments section, is people ignoring or overlooking bits of reality that don't confirm their preconceived notions.
5
W.E.B DuBois, the intellectual giant, scholar, and sociologist, stated in his iconic study, the “The Philadelphia Negro,” the first scientific urban study of African Americans that, “one cannot study the Negro in freedom and come to general conclusions about his destiny without knowing his history in slavery.”
The history of African Americans in this country has always been one of striving against the odds in a country that has long devalued them regardless of socio-economic status, education, or merit. Deep within the African American tradition is the phrase, “you have to be twice as good” as a white person just to have chance in a society undergirded by precepts of white superiority and black inferiority. Within this tradition is that you not only represent yourself, but there is the added burden that you represent the entire race—a stress no other race has had to bare.
The history of African Americans in this country has always been one of striving against the odds in a country that has long devalued them regardless of socio-economic status, education, or merit. Deep within the African American tradition is the phrase, “you have to be twice as good” as a white person just to have chance in a society undergirded by precepts of white superiority and black inferiority. Within this tradition is that you not only represent yourself, but there is the added burden that you represent the entire race—a stress no other race has had to bare.
85
I love it when someone tells me that water is wet. The big idea that stress causes health problems is hardly new or revolutionary. Nor is the idea that people striving to succeed out of poverty or in the face of discrimination experience categories of stress that are not present in the lives of the well-off or privileged. If you consult the rantings of NYT editorialist Frank Bruni around college admissions time, you will read that the elevated expectations imposed on the children of the wealthy cause unhealthy stress not present in those in lesser circumstances.
All of this feeds into the progressive movement's misplaced obsession with equality. Ultimately, success is the ongoing interaction of luck, talent, opportunity, execution and discipline, translated into the accumulation of human and physical capital. Whether or not any particular individual can thread the needle to create the forms of success they seek depends upon how that formula plays out daily and over the long term in their lives.
The left's pre-occupation with public policy designed to constantly re-balance the scales to create equal outcomes ignores differences among us, is doomed to failure and requires a broad scale assault on personal liberty.
If you want the rewards that flow from a stressful, high-performing career, adopt a healthy lifestyle and consult an excellent cardiologist. The lead dog always catches the most flack. If not, just chill.
All of this feeds into the progressive movement's misplaced obsession with equality. Ultimately, success is the ongoing interaction of luck, talent, opportunity, execution and discipline, translated into the accumulation of human and physical capital. Whether or not any particular individual can thread the needle to create the forms of success they seek depends upon how that formula plays out daily and over the long term in their lives.
The left's pre-occupation with public policy designed to constantly re-balance the scales to create equal outcomes ignores differences among us, is doomed to failure and requires a broad scale assault on personal liberty.
If you want the rewards that flow from a stressful, high-performing career, adopt a healthy lifestyle and consult an excellent cardiologist. The lead dog always catches the most flack. If not, just chill.
3
"All of this feeds into the progressive movement's misplaced obsession with equality."
Although it is not politically correct to say so, there are significant differences between the average IQs of different ethnic groups. The average Asian-American has an IQ of 115, the average European-American an IQ of 100, the average Hispanic-American an average IQ of 90 and the average African-American an IQ of 85. How much of these difference are due to culture is a matter of debate, but at least some of them are due to genetics.
Although it is not politically correct to say so, there are significant differences between the average IQs of different ethnic groups. The average Asian-American has an IQ of 115, the average European-American an IQ of 100, the average Hispanic-American an average IQ of 90 and the average African-American an IQ of 85. How much of these difference are due to culture is a matter of debate, but at least some of them are due to genetics.
1
Nobody, anywhere, right, left, up or down, is trying to create equal outcomes. This is an intentionally created myth of the far Right (see "Bannon"). And those studies about IQ are laughable.
I have conducted over 1000 IQ evaluations in the last decade - the same individual, if tired, stressed, fatigued, anxious, etc may score from 10 to 20 points lower.
Hey, you know what? That's the whole point of this article.
I have conducted over 1000 IQ evaluations in the last decade - the same individual, if tired, stressed, fatigued, anxious, etc may score from 10 to 20 points lower.
Hey, you know what? That's the whole point of this article.
2
The higher incidence of many disease states such as hypertension, cardiac disease, and diabetes in the African American population in the US is well recognized in medicine. Also, the morbidity associated with these illnesses tends to be greater for African American patients. The underlying factors for this are unclear, but are often ascribed to putative genetic differences in the African American population. Advances in genetic testing and DNA analysis have made testing of this hypothesis possible, but the results of such analyses to date do not find clear cut support for such differences.
African Americans live in an environment that is filled with both overt and implicit racism. This racism has existed since the founding of this country, and manifests itself today in the economic and environmental conditions in which all black Americans live. The common factor that this produces, which cannot be separated out or eliminated from their lives, is stress. It is present in their daily interactions with the white community (implicit bias if not overt); it is there in the increased risk of violence in their communities; it is there in the economic challenges they face.
Many decades ago the effects of stress on the body were clearly identified by Hans Selye. The constant additional stress that those in the African American community experience, regardless of how small it may seem on a daily basis, accumulates and exerts its damaging effects throughout their lives.
African Americans live in an environment that is filled with both overt and implicit racism. This racism has existed since the founding of this country, and manifests itself today in the economic and environmental conditions in which all black Americans live. The common factor that this produces, which cannot be separated out or eliminated from their lives, is stress. It is present in their daily interactions with the white community (implicit bias if not overt); it is there in the increased risk of violence in their communities; it is there in the economic challenges they face.
Many decades ago the effects of stress on the body were clearly identified by Hans Selye. The constant additional stress that those in the African American community experience, regardless of how small it may seem on a daily basis, accumulates and exerts its damaging effects throughout their lives.
5
On the related point of the psychological trait of "resilience" noted in the article, an interesting book by Angela Duckworth is "Grit - the Power of Perseverance and Passion" - based on a study of West Point cadets.
5
I was thinking that it was interesting that the article used the word resilience instead of grit. The NYTimes has given much attention to "grit" over the last 5-10 years and I am still waiting for a piece that acknowledges the major flaws in that research.
"Other than that, Mrs. Lincoln, how was the play?" --A quote etched into my memory by hearing it repeatedly from my father, a smart, well-educated, take-no-prisoners, succeed-at-any-cost Black striver/survivor.
The cost of striving is suffering. The cost of not striving is...well...too difficult to fathom.
The cost of striving is suffering. The cost of not striving is...well...too difficult to fathom.
102
As a woman, born in the 40's, I can assure you that working in top management is extraordinary stressful, due to the incredibly powerful discrimination, hostility and reluctance to share information and power that exists among the male elite.
I was always the ONLY woman at the weekly senior staff meetings.
It is like carrying a huge bag of stones with you, while carrying out your work role. You can see that the males around you don't have that bag of stones, and in fact they get lots of support from their male peers, and many 'breaks' that you will never experience.
So severe coronary artery disease, caused by stress of all kinds. That was one result for me.
Was it worth it? Yes. Because only by having women present in the workplace can their presence be normalized. And the stress reduced.
The same is true for any minority. They MUST live with the stress, in order to normalize their presence, and break ground for others.
I was always the ONLY woman at the weekly senior staff meetings.
It is like carrying a huge bag of stones with you, while carrying out your work role. You can see that the males around you don't have that bag of stones, and in fact they get lots of support from their male peers, and many 'breaks' that you will never experience.
So severe coronary artery disease, caused by stress of all kinds. That was one result for me.
Was it worth it? Yes. Because only by having women present in the workplace can their presence be normalized. And the stress reduced.
The same is true for any minority. They MUST live with the stress, in order to normalize their presence, and break ground for others.
144
Knowing their risks, they can mitigate them with diet and exercise--wellness.
I had an unstable, abusive, neglectful upbringing, left home at 17 with no money, slept on a pile of clothes on the floor, worked minimum wage jobs, got a loan from a friend to take a college course, figured out how to apply to college and student loans, got my bachelor's while working full time. Never had a penny nor any guidance from my parents who themselves were uneducated and more interested in their drugs and romantic relationships. I was lucky to never develop an addiction of my own. I was paid lower wages than other young women who dressed better. I was paid lower wages than men in all of the jobs I worked. I was almost daily sexually harassed and stalked on the streets, buses, subways, and trains. I felt like an outsider at school, taking my essays and presentations so seriously, while my middle class peers seemed like they were on vacation not having to work to pay for their rent or groceries. I had terrible public speaking phobia. I was hit on by my professors. I took regular phone calls from my mother who had become a terrible alcoholic and was trapped in an abusive relationship with the mentally father to her son (she would go on to attempt suicide and be institutionalized). And then I did it all again when I got a Master's degree. And now I'm tired. And now I have fibromyalgia. But I am white. And I know, had I been a black women in the same circumstances, my uphill battle would have been twice as hard.
237
Tempiku--All good reasons to dump the corporate Democrats and seek out true Progressives. All good reasons to RESIST male domination, white domination, Christian domination, heterosexual domination, corporate domination, and billionaire domination. Thank you for your lifelong struggle, which has benefited many, besides yourself.
3
I admire your toughness, but more than that I admire your recognition that as difficult as your situation was, others face worse. That broad perspective--it's not all about me--is sometimes lacking in these conversations.
We need to consider each other, not only ourselves. Thank you for sharing your perspective.
We need to consider each other, not only ourselves. Thank you for sharing your perspective.
4
Even though I am an Atheist, I have irresistible urge to say 'God Bless you'.
4
The Republicans in the House and the Senate introduced a bill that would completely defund all federally-funded research into the geographic patterns of health inequities and particularly of inequities between races and ethnic groups. This defunding exemplifies the new GOP era of debasement of science and erasure of civil rights. However, I disagree that John Henry-ism does not affect whites. Data on mortality rates and life expectancies show that states with extreme socioeconomic hierarchies have high mortality rates and low life expectancies for the whites as well as the blacks. The GOP and the President's programs will spill over into the white community as well and we shall all die younger, a result of accelerated aging from stress.
38
We all have a responsibility to care for ourselves as the very first step & not doing so is the very first error. Regardless of what health laws are there or who is president, 90% of hi BP/hi cholesterol/diabetes/hi triglycerides/constipation.. is completely preventable/curable naturally wi no meds whatsoever. I have seen these cures repeatedly in 48 years of practice & 200,000 patient visits. Help is available. If interested, read "Wellness Protecting and Disease Preventing Goal Numbers and Insights"
7
Rodrick, excellent point about the defunding of research on geographic health disparities. But keep reading all the way to the end. Your point that this is also affecting whites is exactly what the scientists quoted here are arguing. Now that working class white people are also finding that sustained and concerted efforts to "pull themselves up by their bootstraps" are having little effect, they too are experiencing the biological effects of constant stress. See quote from Dr. James. It's why those concerned with racism and those concerned with the loss of manufacturing jobs in the rust belt states should be working together to prevent the GOP from dismantling the few regulations and programs we have to shelter us from the worst effects of unchecked capitalism.
6
Thanks Dr. Silverstein for your suggested reading of a book authored by you "Wellness Protecting and Disease prevention Goal numbers and insights". At less than a penny the book is cheaper than the shipping and handling cost. I would though suggest to the readers to work with their physicians before they make changes to any prescription hypertension medications. Stress is a real contributor to hypertension. One of the world renowned Cardiologist Lionel Opie of South Africa has authored a book Living longer living better exploring the heart and mind connection writes about "white coat hypertension". This occurs when a stressed patient's Blood pressure goes up just seeing the person in a white coat who is about to take his or her Blood pressure. Add to that there are medical personnel who cannot take blood pressure accurately and the number may be recorded higher than it actually is.
1
This suggest an empirical test for injustice: those social practices that make success unhealthy. We always knew and expected that failure would harm your health, but this is something else. Something wrong in the individual body has been traced to its source in the social body. It is also an elegant demonstration of the resistance and power of racism. It is the only reason black people would be rendered vulnerable by doing "well."
17
It's not success that is unhealthy. It's all those people who actively want to stop you from having a successful life. From racists, bigots, misogynists, narcissists, psychopaths, the lot of them who seem to believe that sharing will hurt them in some way. On the other hand, some estimates say we have 15 sociopaths per 100 people in this country, and THAT may have a little to do with it. Let's start with the trumps and putins of the world.
https://www.caseyresearch.com/articles/sociopathy-running-us-part-two
https://www.caseyresearch.com/articles/sociopathy-running-us-part-two
4
This is a fascinating study! I know this to be true from my personal life when my health improved after I retired from an extremely stressful job. The idea, however, that such an insidious form of racism--knowing that racism and lack of opportunity over a lifetime could be a form of genocide is truly chilling.
70
You say that the US middle class is contracting and wealth gaps are increasing. You are right. But you attribute this to "Macroeconomic forces." Not so.
The US has gone through a three-generation switch from the "Equality of Opportunity" that built American power, wealth, and a middle class freer and more prosperous than any other in the history of mankind into a worship of political correctness, the ideology that destroyed the Soviet Union and its Iron Curtain puppets, and led other worshipers like North Korea, Cuba, and Venezuela, to the economic collapse and personal agonies they still endure.
The last eight years have brought the US close to that same cliff's edge.
We have been forced to give up our old ways and instead, worship a new god: Equality of Result.
Our middle class has been destroyed; the country trembles on the brink.
We have a change at hand, a change perhaps impossible for the most ardent worshipers of our recent ideology to accept.
Tomorrow is always a guess. It will be interesting to see what it brings.
The US has gone through a three-generation switch from the "Equality of Opportunity" that built American power, wealth, and a middle class freer and more prosperous than any other in the history of mankind into a worship of political correctness, the ideology that destroyed the Soviet Union and its Iron Curtain puppets, and led other worshipers like North Korea, Cuba, and Venezuela, to the economic collapse and personal agonies they still endure.
The last eight years have brought the US close to that same cliff's edge.
We have been forced to give up our old ways and instead, worship a new god: Equality of Result.
Our middle class has been destroyed; the country trembles on the brink.
We have a change at hand, a change perhaps impossible for the most ardent worshipers of our recent ideology to accept.
Tomorrow is always a guess. It will be interesting to see what it brings.
13
What nonsense you write. Implicitly equating the last eight years (the Obama administration) with North Korea is absolutely idiotic. Wait until you see what's in store for the American public under the hate-filled, incompetent, serial liar Trump!
52
Where "political correctness" goes wrong it does so because it fails to acknowledge the entire situation. It can go from being an enlightened, noble thing to being an irrational overcompensation for the "political INcorrectness" that existed first i.e. small-minded prejudicial beliefs that have served as barriers to freedom and success for so many groups of people. When people see a reality that differs from the way they are told things are they come to believe that the "politically correct" answers are lies. Unfortunately, one problem is that there is a significant population that believes it will suffer degradation if it isn't afforded advantages previous generations enjoyed. This group doesn't want to see other groups come up in status. This group will latch on to any example of someone's behavior that it thinks validates it's prejudicial beliefs about entire groups and proves that the egalitarian philosophy it despises is completely in error. The "equality of result" you claim people worship is something the like of which I've never heard anyone come close to advocating in this society which espouses meritocratic ideals even as it slips further into oligarchy. That you think things got bad 8 years ago but now might improve suggests that you felt your ability to espouse naked prejudice, without a backlash, was constrained during the Obama years but are optimistic that the new administration will be supportive of open bigotry. I wish such an expectation were unrealistic.
8
Diogenes, "equality of result" is a Republican fabrication to distract from reality: "Equality of opportunity" is impossible with the systemic racism, misogyny, and socioeconomic barriers gleefully perpetuated by those holding the current privilege and power (typically old, white, Republican men). Equal opportunity means level playing field, which requires investment in social goods like affordable and equal access to quality healthcare, public education, and housing--the "security" foundation on Maslow's Hierarchy. These are the very investments our new "president" and his billionaire cabinet are determined to destroy for the sake of their own greed--assuring greater financial gains to the wealthiest, who can rest comfortably knowing the poor unwashed masses will have even less power and opportunity. So keep blaming the victims and enjoy the ever-widening wealth gaps and crashing physical and social systems. As the Earth heats beyond habitability and the privileged scurry to their survivalist bunkers, Pence's God will have an even hotter treat in store for them at the Pearly Gates.
13
So now we are applying identity politics to matters of public health! This should be labeled as a companion piece to the recent "A fix for gender bias in health." (https://nyti.ms/2k24a8U) In each case, the medical problem is first defined as a discrimination issue, and then researchers craft studies attempting to prove the point.
Of course, such studies are prone to "confirmation bias," as they were developed to prove a hypothesis already accepted as truth by the researchers.
Getting back to the "strivers" hypothesis, the researchers -- were they not held hostage to racial politics -- their studies would include strivers from other groups outside the core of identity politics, white Appalachians and working-class Asian-Americans, for example.
Of course, such studies are prone to "confirmation bias," as they were developed to prove a hypothesis already accepted as truth by the researchers.
Getting back to the "strivers" hypothesis, the researchers -- were they not held hostage to racial politics -- their studies would include strivers from other groups outside the core of identity politics, white Appalachians and working-class Asian-Americans, for example.
85
I was a striver but was lucky enough to be white. Racism exists. It's an added stressor. What's up with your resistance to this clear and obvious fact? Asian-Americans are not incarcerated or killed by police at nearly the same rate as blacks, so please spare us the comparisons.
49
Of course I'm sure you are concerned about the stresses on police officers who are targeted for murder by BLM and who apparently should not have the right to protect themselves. Or the stresses to working and middle class people of all races who are targeted for mugging, carjacking, home invasions - does their stress matter?
2
Did you read the methodology in the article? This finding was not prone to confirmation bias because it was unexpected and contrary to the expectations of the researchers. This is the mark of good research, when they did not ignore or rationalize an unexpected result, but continued inquiry until they identified an unknown phenomenon. Your dismissal of it as confirmation bias just shows you did not read the article, or are so set in your own ideas about 'identity politics' that you are ignoring the evidence presented...
4
We, in the African American community knew this for decades.
194
I had the same thought, though I am Irish/Norwegian American. It would seem very obvious. NYT does this sometimes though. Once there was this hilarious headline, "Latest Research in Education shows that Studying helps." Seriously.
I'm surprised there aren't more letters criticizing what one philosophically challenged psychologist railed against as "magical thinking" and 'resorting to the long outdated duality of mind against body."
Then there are the politically correct folks. They'll have a variety of takes. Some will get angry because they think the author is deflecting blame: "oh, we're supposed to focus our efforts on improving our stress tolerance instead of fighting the banksters" or whatever enemy they think we should be focusing on. Or they'll put forth some combination of anti-magical thinking and angry political protest.
In case there are some critics (especially philosophically challenged scientists of any stripe) ready to leap in, this might help:
1. Instead of "mind" think of the "brain." Obviously the brain has an impact on every cell of the body, every moment of our lives. Thus, there is no reason why brain activity (i.e. thoughts, emotions, etc) can't substantially affect the body.
2. re: external influences. It is one of the fundamental principles of Stoicism, Buddhism, Christianity - heck, every major spiritual and philosophic tradition as well as cognitive behavioral therapy and every other therapy, that ultimately it is our responsibility for how we react to things. But - a very important but - given the way our minds, bodies and hearts are conditioned, outer circumstances can trigger our brains in a way that hurts our bodies.
I hope that helps.
www.remember-to-breathe.org
Then there are the politically correct folks. They'll have a variety of takes. Some will get angry because they think the author is deflecting blame: "oh, we're supposed to focus our efforts on improving our stress tolerance instead of fighting the banksters" or whatever enemy they think we should be focusing on. Or they'll put forth some combination of anti-magical thinking and angry political protest.
In case there are some critics (especially philosophically challenged scientists of any stripe) ready to leap in, this might help:
1. Instead of "mind" think of the "brain." Obviously the brain has an impact on every cell of the body, every moment of our lives. Thus, there is no reason why brain activity (i.e. thoughts, emotions, etc) can't substantially affect the body.
2. re: external influences. It is one of the fundamental principles of Stoicism, Buddhism, Christianity - heck, every major spiritual and philosophic tradition as well as cognitive behavioral therapy and every other therapy, that ultimately it is our responsibility for how we react to things. But - a very important but - given the way our minds, bodies and hearts are conditioned, outer circumstances can trigger our brains in a way that hurts our bodies.
I hope that helps.
www.remember-to-breathe.org
6
You have created a good summary of "magical thinking".
Because it can be summarized does not mean it exists.
Cells are tiny autonomous factories. They don't have a "magical" foreman in the brain. Although it may comfort some folks to believe they can will their cells to behave - there is simply no real scientific evidence they can do this any more than their brain can levitate a pencil.
Now if we could levitate a pencil - that would be genuine magical thinking.
Because it can be summarized does not mean it exists.
Cells are tiny autonomous factories. They don't have a "magical" foreman in the brain. Although it may comfort some folks to believe they can will their cells to behave - there is simply no real scientific evidence they can do this any more than their brain can levitate a pencil.
Now if we could levitate a pencil - that would be genuine magical thinking.
3
SteveRR: How many thousands of studies do I have to cite to open your mind?
I don't know how to begin to unpack the assertion that cells aren't affected by brain activity. So cells are so autonomous nothing that happens in the brain will affect, say, immune cells?
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1361287/
There are several thousand more relevant links that can be found within seconds.
www.remember-to-breathe.org
I don't know how to begin to unpack the assertion that cells aren't affected by brain activity. So cells are so autonomous nothing that happens in the brain will affect, say, immune cells?
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1361287/
There are several thousand more relevant links that can be found within seconds.
www.remember-to-breathe.org
1
In the late 1960s, I worked in a printing plant in Boston's Roxbury neighborhood -- a predominantly black section. The program was for "ghetto unemployables." I am white. In this bubble of largely decent and well-meaning people, I seldom felt discrimination or mean behavior directed toward me. Not so in my 30-year career in the newsroom where white men have have proven to be mean, obtuse and plagued by anger management issues.
At Roxbury we had a wonderful African American man who was the human resources director. After I left and he did too, I saw him on the street and he had another job -- he was thin, looked stressed and died shortly thereafter.
At Roxbury we had a wonderful African American man who was the human resources director. After I left and he did too, I saw him on the street and he had another job -- he was thin, looked stressed and died shortly thereafter.
24
“There’s very little genetic basis for hypertension,” said Dr. Mujahid.
To the contrary, the heritable component of blood pressure has been documented in familial and twin studies suggesting that 30%-50% of the variance of blood pressure readings are attributable to genetic heritability and about 50% to environmental factors.
To the contrary, the heritable component of blood pressure has been documented in familial and twin studies suggesting that 30%-50% of the variance of blood pressure readings are attributable to genetic heritability and about 50% to environmental factors.
22
Adalberto: It's called "essential hypertension" for a reason - because it has no known cause."
If you still won't accept the implications of that, consider climate change deniers - imagine if suddenly they woke up and thought to themselves, human activity is responsible for 50% of climate change. That would be quite a revolution.
Or take the case of pain. In terms of causation, if you stick a knife in somebody's leg, that knife is 100% the [initial] cause of the pain. So what? Immediately after you remove the knife, the brain is now (it really always was, but leave that for now) the entire cause of the pain.
Whatever the initial (genetic) cause, if you live in a society that is at every moment, pressuring you, making you feel less than, telling you the only way you can succeed is to strive against all odds, that 50% - or whatever percent you want to put your faith in - is horrific enough without people trying to subtly divert your attention from the work that needs to be done to change society.
If you still won't accept the implications of that, consider climate change deniers - imagine if suddenly they woke up and thought to themselves, human activity is responsible for 50% of climate change. That would be quite a revolution.
Or take the case of pain. In terms of causation, if you stick a knife in somebody's leg, that knife is 100% the [initial] cause of the pain. So what? Immediately after you remove the knife, the brain is now (it really always was, but leave that for now) the entire cause of the pain.
Whatever the initial (genetic) cause, if you live in a society that is at every moment, pressuring you, making you feel less than, telling you the only way you can succeed is to strive against all odds, that 50% - or whatever percent you want to put your faith in - is horrific enough without people trying to subtly divert your attention from the work that needs to be done to change society.
28
One of the record keeping methods at my doctor's office asks me if anyone in my family had hypertension, parents/grandparents. If there is no genetic basis then why the question? Luckily my blood pressure numbers are lovely and I try to manage my stress levels. I am Black woman from the Caribbean and I am a striver on steroids. However because of my relentless drive I can afford healthy food, gym/trainer fees and regular vacations so the arthritis and inability to go a month without catching a cold is totally worth it. I know my lifespan could be shortened so my plan is to retire at 50 and slow down. In the mean time get out of my way I have lots more to conquer!
2
It is the epigenetics or the environmental factors that trigger or suppress the genetic codes. A person may have a gene for hypertension but if environmental factors are absent, that gene will stay dormant. And vice versa. And every time a gene is activated once, it stays triggered and pass on to next generations, thus increasing the "heritability" of a disease.
I read a lot of speculation with very little concrete information to back it up. Apart from the Pittsburgh study, none were cited. Even there, no specific numbers or publication data were mentioned.
It would behoove the NYT to require very close vetting of new theories, particularly those that conform to its editorial policy. In short, this article is nearly worthless as something that should be believed, let alone published.
I have been reading the NYT online for some years and I am still disappointed in their standards of so-called scientific research. Further, as I have opined in these comment sections previously, the Times risks it standing with readers who are not eastern liberals and the newspaper should admit that it got the presidential election all wrong. Let's get back to reporting news that is scientifically sound and politically even handed.
It would behoove the NYT to require very close vetting of new theories, particularly those that conform to its editorial policy. In short, this article is nearly worthless as something that should be believed, let alone published.
I have been reading the NYT online for some years and I am still disappointed in their standards of so-called scientific research. Further, as I have opined in these comment sections previously, the Times risks it standing with readers who are not eastern liberals and the newspaper should admit that it got the presidential election all wrong. Let's get back to reporting news that is scientifically sound and politically even handed.
82
Bill - there is over a century of good, solid, empirically grounded double-blind studies that show that stressful cultural influences cause all kinds of physical problems.
See my other comments for more details.
www.remember-to-breathe.org
See my other comments for more details.
www.remember-to-breathe.org
5
Did you get tired of reading after the first paragraph? And the people who liked this comment - did you not bother to check Bill's claim that only the Pittsburgh study was cited? I counted at least seven. Follow the links.
2
Another Trumper denies the truth.
3
So striving for success wears you out? I wonder if our ancestors would have changed behavior from hunting and gathering and protecting family and clan and instead did what exactly? Sit around eating Doritos and watching TV in order not to wear out? There are a million excuses already for not working your butt off to get ahead, provide for a family, take care of responsibilities to yourself, family, society, country, God. Now we are going to add that doing all that is hard and can wear you out? Let me ask - if striving against rejection, obstacles, even yes, racism can wear you out, what is the alternative? Acceptance? Waiting quietly (and unstressed) for the long dark night? Not me, baby, not me.
20
re: John F: Glad my initial comment is timed. Why don't commenters pay attention to what other people write before jumping in.
John, what could possibly be Mr. Hamblin's motive in writing? To suggest acceptance or waiting quietly? What else could he write to make it any clearer, that this is a horrendous state of affairs which the current administration will only make worse?
To repeat from my original comment:
1. There are tens of thousands of well conducted studies showing deleterious physiological effects from adverse societal influences.
2. In the meantime, before society has changed, there are an enormous number of options individuals have to mitigate those adverse influences.
www.remember-to-breathe.org
John, what could possibly be Mr. Hamblin's motive in writing? To suggest acceptance or waiting quietly? What else could he write to make it any clearer, that this is a horrendous state of affairs which the current administration will only make worse?
To repeat from my original comment:
1. There are tens of thousands of well conducted studies showing deleterious physiological effects from adverse societal influences.
2. In the meantime, before society has changed, there are an enormous number of options individuals have to mitigate those adverse influences.
www.remember-to-breathe.org
5
No one is saying that people shouldn't strive, the article just implies that there is a cost to it if the environment is particular stressful. What is controversial about that?
1
Long term health effects also come from not getting enough sleep. Maybe the strivers have two jobs and are "burning the candle at both ends".
34
Does anyone remember the "type A' personality theory? That was big a few years ago. Unfortunately, I tested as type A whenever I took the quiz. So you have to sing 'don't worry, be happy' more often.
1
fascinating results. so we have finally gotten to the point where bad health can be spread to all races now regardless of their melanin content. parity for all. sorry if i sound flippant. this is information that will be poo pooed by leaders in our government. i do not think any of them will even read this. i used to work in a labor force that has been replaced by automation. this happened in the mid 80's. the jobs were good paying and probably middle class at that time. most of us got retrained for other positions. positions accepted in general were better for the white ex-employees than the others. it was visible then something is really wrong with these outcomes.
8
racism, not race. of course.
23
@ oolalajp osaka - oolalajp I infer from your all too short comment that you are one of the rare readers of the Times and comments who understands that "race" is not a synonym for "racism".
Am I correct?
Only-NeverInSweden.blogspot.com
Duall citizen US SE
Am I correct?
Only-NeverInSweden.blogspot.com
Duall citizen US SE
2
After bypassing other obviously biased pieces like WH Sows Confusion, Trump's Mexican Tantrum, Mr Trump's Gag Rule Will Harm, Making the Rust Belt Rustier, I thought I had found an article that would leave politics aside. As a 62 year old striver myself, and having overcome 2 serious job losses in the past ten years, I also found myself fighting nongenetic ovarian cancer last year, so I could relate to the premise of the data. One good thing about my cancer was that I had just been covered by my employer's insurance plan and not the Obamacare that I had had two months prior. The deductibles and coverage of the Obamacare would have put a big dent my retirement with cancer treatment, and the 650 monthly payment that I had been making during unemployment was not that "affordable" for me. So to see the end of the article become yet another Trump bashing was startling. How many people that think Obamacare is wonderful have actually paid for and used it on a middle class salary? Based on my experiences and what President Trump is trying to do in bringing more jobs to the strivers and jobless, the conclusions that Dr. Mujahid draws are not scientifically sound. Remember that the white strivers are his base and what propelled him to office.
16
"Obamacare would have put a big dent my retirement with cancer treatment, and the 650 monthly payment that I had been making during unemployment was not that "affordable" for me." You were not making an income and still had to pay a premium of $650 per month under Obamacare? I would have thought it would be reduced since you didn't have an income - or, at least, perhaps were only getting unemployment compensation. I am not doubting you but am surprised to hear this.
3
If you hadn't just been covered by your employer's insurance plan you would have still needed that Obamacare, as do many others who would otherwise have no coverage. The premiums are a problem, but taking away coverage is not the answer. And before ACA, you could be denied insurance for a pre-existing condition. Qith ACA, insurance companies can no longer do this and this change has been a life changer for many. Dr. Mujahid conducted a scientific study and you are making claims based on one person's experience, your own.
12
It is ironic that all but one of the "obviously biased pieces" cited above appeared on the Opinion pages of the NYTimes. Perhaps the person who made that comment does not understand that opinions and editorials are exactly that: opinions. Indeed, this piece itself is clearly identified as an opinion, right at the top if the page, as journalist standards demand. Perhaps the writer's inability to discriminate between news reports and op-ed content is simply a reflection of why nearly half the people in this country were conned into voting for a narcissistic, fear-mongering ignoramous for president. Of course, that's just my opinion.
5
I have seen and experienced aspects of this in almost every workplace in my career, and I believe it affects women too in male-dominated workplaces. White men seem to be oblivious to the ways in which these environments support and encourage them and their success -- benefits and preferential treatment which many of their colleagues not only don't enjoy, but which actively undermine the wellbeing of the hardest-working among them. Injustice corrodes.
16
Persistent discrimination, lowering the morale of an entire group, based on the color of their skin, is an abomination. Ever thought of the awful outcome of an unrelieved chronic stress situation, this in the 'land of the free, home of the brave'?
8
To complete an earlier thought...People regardless of race even African-Americans are made sick by overt striving for the American Dream. There is a risk to every reward. It was pronounced in "The Death of a Salesman" and it is still true today. Please stop seeing everything related to color and focus on content of character. It might help to get out more to better make more accurate comparisons.
31
"Please stop seeing" what is supported by the research? How convenient for white people. The research shows that racism is an added stressor because white strivers are not found to suffer the same effects of striving. The environment is less hostile to whites. Lower class whites (particularly men) may have it hard, but NEWSFLASH that doesn't mean other groups can't have it even harder. Please stop silencing science in favor of your agenda.
15
Richard, My concern is that you are speaking out of white privilege and cannot accept the concept of systemic, structural racism which does make it more difficult for African Americans and people of color to get ahead with the same level of effort and education as a white person. I can tell you that as an older white woman I experienced systemic sexism (male privilege) as I tried to move ahead in my own career, when I was working. So I find it eminently believable that there is such a thing as pervasive structural racism which does affect career success and, consequently, the level of one's stress.
29
The Caribbean is much poorer and far more violent than the US, and yet black people there have little hypertension, according to the author.
Does this mean that black people experience stress as a result of living and striving among white people? What consequences could we draw from this?
Does this mean that black people experience stress as a result of living and striving among white people? What consequences could we draw from this?
48
Well then, we would draw the conclusion that certain health problems common in black people are now white peoples' fault too, exactly as the author intends. What a wonderful world for my little girl to grow up in, with all the evils that she's responsible for because of her white skin. When do we begin the studies on the psychological and emotional impact on young white people who are being trained to have a guilt complex? I see it in my daughter. She's 8.
True story: when she was 6 we went to a playground near D.C., she saw a little girl playing (happened to be black), and ran over to play with her. The girl got up and ran off (for some unknown reason), and our daughter ran back to us crying and said, "She was scared of me because I'm white". She was deeply hurt. It broke our hearts. We explained that she misunderstood why the girl ran off and that she wasn't scared. Our daughter then went into great detail that she learned in school (first grade) how bad white people are to black people and why black people are afraid of white people. My wife and I were blown away. We've always said to her that skin color is just a trait like eye color or hair color, yet our six year old had a deep sense of guilt and shame because she's white. How did that happen?
I'm sure someone will say something like, "well now she knows what it's like", or some insensitive nonsense. My point is that we need to move past this total obsession with race in America. It's a harmful sickness.
True story: when she was 6 we went to a playground near D.C., she saw a little girl playing (happened to be black), and ran over to play with her. The girl got up and ran off (for some unknown reason), and our daughter ran back to us crying and said, "She was scared of me because I'm white". She was deeply hurt. It broke our hearts. We explained that she misunderstood why the girl ran off and that she wasn't scared. Our daughter then went into great detail that she learned in school (first grade) how bad white people are to black people and why black people are afraid of white people. My wife and I were blown away. We've always said to her that skin color is just a trait like eye color or hair color, yet our six year old had a deep sense of guilt and shame because she's white. How did that happen?
I'm sure someone will say something like, "well now she knows what it's like", or some insensitive nonsense. My point is that we need to move past this total obsession with race in America. It's a harmful sickness.
5
Hmm, maybe living among white people means living around racism?
3
It is what it is. Truth be told your guard is always up whether you are conscious of it or not.
2
The promise of opportunity has always been compromised when you seek to be paternal toward any race. Constantly viewing an individual as a victim and unable to rise without considerable help may give a career to writer or pundit but does little to help those who are being manipulated.
19
You have it upside down. These aren't people who believe they are victims. They believe--like me--we can overcome anything no matter the obstacles.
It is stressful to continually have the narrative turned upside down.
It is exhausting to always be assumed to be seeking a handout or to be told that if you talk about your existence you are wanting to be a "victim."
I used to be the only black woman on an all white male management team. Although we only had 3 black people on the entire staff of over 300 people each one of us more qualified than anyone else at our own levels in the organization, every day at lunch the white men would complain that they were constantly losing their jobs to the less qualified.
Look at the white male voters without college degrees who voted for Trump and at the same time mock those of us for valuing educations by calling us the "liberal elite" while at the same time saying that blacks just don't value education that's why the don't get ahead.
It is stressful to continually have the narrative turned upside down.
It is exhausting to always be assumed to be seeking a handout or to be told that if you talk about your existence you are wanting to be a "victim."
I used to be the only black woman on an all white male management team. Although we only had 3 black people on the entire staff of over 300 people each one of us more qualified than anyone else at our own levels in the organization, every day at lunch the white men would complain that they were constantly losing their jobs to the less qualified.
Look at the white male voters without college degrees who voted for Trump and at the same time mock those of us for valuing educations by calling us the "liberal elite" while at the same time saying that blacks just don't value education that's why the don't get ahead.
4
Good article but stating Trump could do more damage is silly at the least. It appears the John Henryism has been happening for a very long time and with serious side effects. Why don't you mention Obama had been the president the past 8 years and did nothing to alleviate the problem. It may have been made worse under Obama because of the racial strife he initiated and supported during his time in office. The continued outsourcing of jobs allowed by the Obama administration and illegal immigration that Obama supported significantly undermined low skilled black Americans, keeping the black unemployment right extremely high. You could have address the crime and murder rate in Chicago, a city that has been democratically control for decades. Living in a crime area has to be extremely stressful resulting in countless health issues, beside being shot. The deplorable schools in cities that do not educate children to be capable to function in society. Go ahead start blaming Trump but it detracts from a very well conceived position.
13
Americans who strive all their lives at laborious jobs will soon have one more blow raining down on them from Republicans: though their bodies wear out early, Social Security retirement benefits will be denied until they're 69 or even 70.
Of course, they'll have to take smaller benefits, starting younger, just to survive. That will further stress America's hardest workers. Their early demise will save the government money, which will flow upward to billionaires in the form of more special tax breaks.
Of course, they'll have to take smaller benefits, starting younger, just to survive. That will further stress America's hardest workers. Their early demise will save the government money, which will flow upward to billionaires in the form of more special tax breaks.
42
Billionaires did far better than any other people the last 8 years. I could have sworn Democrats were in charge, but I guess I'm mistaken?
8
Re: Astroserf
Democrats have not been in charge in the House, where legislation on taxes and most other legislation originates, since 2010. Republicans filibustered anything Democrats proposed in the Senate after the Democrats lost their brief filibuster-proof numbers with Ted Kennedy's death. Consequently, they obstructed Senate legislation until regaining Senate control in 2014 (when they continued to obstruct anything Obama proposed)
So yes, you are mistaken.
Democrats have not been in charge in the House, where legislation on taxes and most other legislation originates, since 2010. Republicans filibustered anything Democrats proposed in the Senate after the Democrats lost their brief filibuster-proof numbers with Ted Kennedy's death. Consequently, they obstructed Senate legislation until regaining Senate control in 2014 (when they continued to obstruct anything Obama proposed)
So yes, you are mistaken.
6
What causes more hypertension, being without hospitals or medication or having to continually get your head above water financially to afford the more than doubled premiums? It seems the later group would suffer more hypertension. There are FAR more people, millions and millions more, that fall under this group. The poor must be sick first to not have access. All the middle class must pay for medical insurance.
The “Affordable Care Act” comment is ridicules, political correct comment that takes away from the credibility of the article.