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In the American racial context, and other settings of European colonization, social order is based upon an inherited hierarchy of skin color. White (of discernable European descent) representing the upper caste(s) of protection and access to resources. Black (of discernable African descent) representing the lower caste(s) of marginalization and oppression. In the United States, multigenerational Black Americans (including descents of American slavery) and Black immigrants remain at greater risk for caste-based social determinants of health (SDoH) that affect wellbeing and disparities in outcomes. These SDoH shorten the longevity of Black life, contribute to preventable pain, constrain professional development, and self-actualization. The invisibility, ubiquity, and perennial nature of anti-Black racism requires that we address it specifically and with dedication. We name anti-Black racism to resist replicating the marginalization and/or appropriation of the Black experience in the name of social justice. We name anti-Black racism to address and disrupt the poles of racialized social order and the health-depleting caste system itself. Together, by elevating Black wisdom, needs, and authority, we interrupt and dismantle racial caste-based outcomes. We invite allies from other communities. We believe that, by leveraging the Black community, we will learn how to support other communities. This is a time for allyship and support, and we hope that we can learn together on how to intervene and correct historical racism and discrimination that affect our communities of color.

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