Black History Month is a reminder to Justice in Aging and other advocates to listen intently to Black voices, uplift the perspectives of Black advocates and Black-led organizations, and offer support with the goal of improving systems for Black older adults. While this work is important year-round—not just in February—it’s also crucial to voice and renew our ongoing commitment to advancing racial equity for Black older adults, who face structural discrimination at the intersection of race and age and possibly other identities. This commitment involves recognizing the myriad of ways that public programs continue to perpetuate and exacerbate inequities for Black older adults and creating structures that disrupt those systems. Racist policies like Medicaid estate recovery strip families of intergenerational wealth and disproportionately impact low-income communities of color. Meanwhile, lack of data from government agencies creates barriers to identifying racially disparate impacts in programs serving low-income older adults. Black History Month is a timely reminder that celebrating the lives and contributions of Black communities must come with advocacy to root out racism in the systems governing these programs. Only then can we achieve a more equitable future for all, including Black older adults. Below are some additional resources, including organizations advancing equity and advocacy for Black older adults: | |
