Race and Health Equity
Today’s lecture at ISC was very informative and introduced us to important information on the relationship- between race and health in Brazil. While this does not seem like a significant relationship, professor Dr.Collins O. Airhihenbuwa gave details on how race may determine issues such as the perception of health and access to quality care. This information really helped me to understand how these two factors are important. Additionally, when looking to understand the relationship between race and health one must also consider the role of culture in health outcomes and how that carries forward to define health equity.
Interestingly, the professor asked this question, ” Do You Know Who You are in the Absence of What You Do?” When further explained, he was asking us if we can describe ourselves without describing what our jobs or duties are? When put in the context of our lesson, the question challenged us to think critically about claiming spaces at our crossroads or intersections of our multiple identities. Finally he shared an analogy with us where culture is seen as the mother and racism the father; when these two factors come together, a person gets their race which is the son and the person is subsequently subjected to all dynamics affecting culture, racism, and race.
Candomblé
After lunch, we learned some basic Portuguese like ordering in a restaurant and telling what we ate. This was a lot of fun since the language is rather difficult and we all enjoyed getting to learn and later trying out in restaurants. My highlight of the day, however, has to be the Terreiro visit where the religious ceremonies of Candomblé are practiced. Candomblé is a religious practice which is also known as a dance of the gods. I understood this to be a traditional spiritual activity because of the key beliefs among its followers. For instance, the followers’ belief in the existence of gods and demigods which I could only associate with traditional religious practices. It was interesting to learn that unlike most modern religious organizations, the Candomblé practice does not include any holy scriptures but instead relies on the priests to teach and pass religious teachings. Despite the Candomblé having all elements of a traditional spiritual organization, I found the belief in people fulfilling their destiny to be very forward-thinking. However, the most exciting part of it all was seeing the sacred part of the house which is the kitchen and where they gather to eat. 
We also came across several cultural artifacts that indicate the Brazilian way of life. For instance, there was a mermaid sculpture” Brazil’s Goddess of the Sea Iemanjá” placed on the street. Iemanjá, goddess (or orixá) of the sea, is a central deity in the Candomblé religion. She watches over sailors and fishermen and controls their catches. She is very powerful, and is concerned with every aspect of womanhood, fertility, and family; she is also the protector of children. She often is depicted as a mermaid and is always dressed in either white or blue. I remember also seeing a ship sculptured on the sidewalk to house a growing tree. At the Candomblé, I also observed some art pieces that I understood to have some religious significance. Other exciting experiences on the visit the friendliness of the people we met, and definitely seeing where and how they cook their food.
Discussion question
Culture, and racism are determined to be important factors in health outcomes. How would changes in any of the elements affect health equity in America?
What role has religion played in the health status in Candomble and how does it compare to a specific community in America?