This Is Public Hell!

A Radical Public Health Declaration

Our Radical Public Health declaration articulates Radical Public Health's (RPH) theme for this year: This Is Public Hell. We seek to show the common threads among a variety of often-overlooked inequities and to raise the critical consciousness that is a necessary foundation for learning and action.

public-hell.jpeg

Has the field of public health been sufficiently and consistently forceful in countering the deeply rooted injustices that surround us locally and throughout the U.S. and the world? If you agree that the answer is "no" — or even if that question gives you pause — then we hope you will engage with our This Is Public Hell-themed events this year.

How can you get involved with Radical Public Health and the This Is Public Hell theme?

  • Read the article. This brief article explains our This Is Public Hell theme and is meant to provoke thought and discussion. Read it, discuss it, and share it with others. Challenge its content and let us know what you think! This is an evolving discussion that will benefit as more voices from our field, as well as from interconnected disciplines, join in.
  • Look for the This Is Public Hell signs around UIC SPH. They will feature the theme's red and white logo with a variety of statistics and facts related to different injustices. The signs will also include prompts for further thought and discussion. Consider how we can provoke and cultivate the social, political, and economic will necessary to change these realities — and how you can get involved in the fight for justice!
  • Join RPH at an event! We have held and will continue to host lectures, discussions, book club meetings, film screenings, conferences, and teach-ins. RPH members have protested alongside other activists, provided public testimony, presented at conferences, and given guest lectures related to critical public health issues. We welcome and encourage individuals and other like-minded groups who share a commitment to social justice to join and collaborate with us. You can start this week at our informal BYOB potluck discussion meeting about housing and public health on Wednesday, 10/16, in Logan Square (e-mail moc.liamg|CIU.HPR#moc.liamg|CIU.HPR for details), and at our next event on 10/29. Check out the event page to RSVP and for more information: www.tinyurl.com/RPHDreamForeclosed.
  • Consider becoming an RPH facilitator! Students, faculty, staff, alumni, and community members have all been involved with RPH and we welcome new skills and perspectives. We would especially like to involve more UIC SPH faculty, so reach out to us at: moc.liamg|CIU.HPR#moc.liamg|CIU.HPR. Have an idea for an event? Let us know, and help make it happen!
  • Follow us on Facebook. Join the online discussion regarding critical articles and hear about other organizations' events and actions related to local and global issues: www.Facebook.com/RadicalPublicHealth.
  • Sign up for our e-mail list. Send a quick note to moc.liamg|CIU.HPR#moc.liamg|CIU.HPR so we can keep you in the loop about future RPH events and activities.

This Is Public Hell is about exploring the depth of the systemic oppression in our society that has such vast negative impacts on the public's health, and about seeking appropriate responses. We do not claim to have all of the answers — nor do we doubt or minimize the current contributions of our field — but we acknowledge that much injustice persists and goes largely disregarded and unchallenged. What is our role in challenging this oppression? Claiming social justice as a value suggests that the role of those working in public health is large, but only if we assume that responsibility. Radical Public Health is committed to promoting the necessary discourse, engagement, and community building to help us all become better agents for change.

We know that the forces that perpetuate these inequities are formidable, and some may see our small, local effort as futile; however, silence, quiet acquiescence, or inaction in the face of injustice is a dereliction of our duty as public health workers and as humans. The public hell of violence, oppression, and inequity sickens us all. We look forward to learning and working together with you to transform this "public hell for some" into public health for all.

Resources

this-is-public-hell-declaration.pdf (126.6 KB, 2 pages)

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This Is Public Hell!
Our Radical Public Health declaration articulates Radical Public Health's (RPH) theme for this year: This Is Public Hell. We seek to show the common threads among a variety of often-overlooked inequities and to raise the critical consciousness that is a necessary foundation for learning and action.

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Welcome to the new Radical Public Health wiki! This is a part of our project to push graduate public health education to better serve the people of the world. We hope to develop documents to support class projects, capstone projects, and curriculum reform. Please consider participating — this project will require a vibrant and active community in order to succeed!

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