Body and Soul- first reading

       While reading Body and Soul by Alondra Nelson, I noticed most of the health concerns among poor black communities was at the, likely intentional, fault of the government. Segregation proved to be a real issue of these health concerns. The facilities and areas that the Black community had access to, were of the poorest sanitary conditions which in turn led to the diseases and bad health that society reputed them with.
       Black physicians had a much lower social status compared to white physicians, so there was little that they could even do to fight against the white power over medical jobs. Nevertheless, because of such low quality of care given, if even accessible to the black community, they needed to be knowledgeable of basic medical practices. By gaining an understanding of medicine they were able to perform procedures on themselves and each other, as well as challenge the physicians who they thought were giving them inadequate care. The government was not providing sufficient health facilities that would treat the Black community, so their directive was to become a more informed society about medical practices. By teaching everyone about basic sciences and medicines, they would be capable of treating themselves without the need to fight for government-run clinics. They were able to create and manage their own healthcare using their own education and medical practices, including starting the placement of multiple clinics in known poor cities for Black patients.

       The Black community was seen as posing "a major public health menace (43)," to society, but due to segregation, they were only provided with the poorest of conditions. The Black Panther Party fought against these normalities with the incentive to inform Black communities about medicine, as well as opening clinics and offering services that the government was not. They worked alongside many factions and also participated in standing against unfair police forces. They challenged the government, and fought police brutality, while also serving the purpose of informing the Black communities of medicine and supporting their own clinics and healthcare.
       I believe that the party supporters grew to such an immense amount, that they seemed threatening towards the government and white communities. They offered many services, but what they symbolized was just as important. The Black community was coming together, and they were fighting against injustices in segregation; nevertheless, I think they were also a symbol of revolution and independency that the government and white supremacists felt undermined by and went against their control of society and police regulation.