I’ve been doing public health work for as long as I can remember. I like to think that the act of transferring knowledge to the masses is my small part in liberation work—it’s meant to free us all. I didn’t know it then, but that was the driving force behind my decision to get my masters in public health and continues to be a reason that I do doula work. Education is a core tenent of both of them. As I lean more into my purpose, I embrace it more and try to be intentional about sharing as much information that I can with my community.
Understand this:
In general, most information is designed to be inaccessible. It’s the system/academia’s part in perpetuating classism and elitism. It’s not you, misinformation is a thing.
If you don’t understand some of the health/medical/scientific information that you’re hearing, ASK FOR CLARITY.
Fear and hysteria are widely accepted as pathways to population control and behavior change within the public health space. I wholly DISAGREE with using fear tactics in lieu of effective education.
Self-efficacy (your perception that you can actually do a thing) is actually the most significant indicator of overall health and healthy behavior change.
So turn off the tv. Close all the google search tabs on your computer. Log of of social media. And BREATHE.
Public health takeaways: Preparation is necessary. Knowing that you are capable is necessary (capable can also = capable of asking for help). Hysteria is NOT necessary.
The pic above is of one of my manyyy sexuality classes that I taught to high school students in my village when I was living in Mozambique. I’ve drawn so many vaginas and penises (what’s the plural of penis? penises? peni? dicks.) that I can crank them out with my eyes closed. I kind of miss being the “weird American that’s always talking about vaginas.” Maybe I still am that. Lol. 🙃