Social Murder & Covid-19
The concept of social murder was introduced in the mid-19th century. The German philosopher Friedrich Engels coined the phrase in describing the political and social power held by ruling elites over laborers in England. Engels wrote about poor workers dying prematurely. Today, during the current pandemic, the term has been revived. The British Medical Journal says, “Social murder may describe the lack of political attention to social determinants and inequities that exacerbate the pandemic.” Enormous discrepancies in income and wealth have huge health consequences. Failure to address them has no doubt contributed to the global death toll from the pandemic which now exceeds 5 million. The actual number must be much higher. The economic and class realities exposed and magnified by Covid-19 cannot be ignored or spun away. The need for a system that is equitable has never been more apparent.
Speaker
Stephen Bezruchka
Dr. Stephen Bezruchka is on the faculty of the Department of Health Systems and Population Health at the University of Washington. He worked for many years as an emergency physician in Seattle. He worked in Nepal for more than a decade where he helped set up a community health project a week’s walk from the road. He also established a remote district hospital for training Nepali doctors whom he supervised. He is the author of Inequality Kills Us All: COVID-19’s Health Lessons for the World.
Chris –
My review is a mix of reflection and takeaways from what I consider an incredible eye-opening program.
I grew up within a home with loads of love but very little money and as I grew up have attempted to build my and my family’s lives to, in my perception, the lap of luxury. But, in the eyes of social media, public perception, and of course now my family’s (from constantly viewing what they don’t have), it is a mediocre to poor life.
As I listened to Dr. Bezruchka’s description of social murder and how it now affects millions, the high blood pressure, continual headaches, the struggles with confidence and self-worth, etc., made a bit of sense. The feeling of despair I get every time my wife looks up from her phone and says, “Oh, look what the Smiths are doing, again, how come we never do that” never seems to fade. No matter how many hours, how many jobs, or how many side jobs I do, I can never manage to keep up with the Smiths. At one point in my life, I had even borrowed money from a friend and sold some lifelong items just to take my family on a short vacation that was barely close to what the Smiths could do.
After listening to your talk and putting my insanity into perspective, I have to thank you, Dr. Bezruchka. It’s only been a few days, but I am starting to look at things through a different lens. Maybe all these years, the emotional perils felt, not necessarily financial or living, were just another outcome of a global concern more than my inability to provide a lifestyle outside of my ability.
James in WA –
INCREDIBLE! THE DOC KNOCKED IT OUT OF THE PARK!!
Charles Keil –
I’m really proud of the Univ. of Washington for having a plain-spoken social critic on the faculty of the Department of Global Health. I would like to hear the Dr. talk about his experiences in Nepal, about his childhood and early schooling that shaped his worldview. I would also like to hear him describe his world vision.
Jack in MA –
This was the best presentation on this topic I’ve ever heard. Brilliant. Well-formulated.
Phoebe –
In the midst of meaningless work and over-consumption, the guilt and shame of not being able to afford to live has resulted in deep depression in our household. I forced myself to wake up early today and turn on the radio instead of doom-scrolling, wondering how long until we experience yet another “death of despair” in my immediate community.
I’m very grateful for having caught Dr. Bezruchka’s speaking on the radio. It helps to remember that the meritocracy is a myth. It helps to be reminded that what we’re experiencing as the proletariat is by design. Thank you, Alternative Radio, for airing his words.