The Relationship Between Epigenetics and Oppression

Throughout the history of America, African Americans have faced extreme oppression and racism. Even today, African Americans are still suffering politically, socially, economically… and genetically. The systemic inequality found in this country has had an impact on more than just social status - it has influenced human biology at the cellular level, causing the oppressed to be more vulnerable to disease.

By studying epigenetics, the science of how external factors affect our gene expression and function, scientists have found that there are certain aspects of African American biology that have been negatively altered due to years of suffering under slavery and Jim Crow laws. The cells of people who have experienced a lot of physical or emotional abuse react strongly to stress, especially during development times in the womb, which can make the child more susceptible to disease later in life. The mistreatment that African Americans endure can alter the expression of certain cells that control important bodily functions, and that can also lead to more negative health consequences. It has been found that African Americans have a much higher level of cortisol, the body’s “fight or flight” hormone, than is normal for a human. This can reshape the behavior of cells that regulate blood pressure, kidney function, and cardiac function.
While this information may seem contrary to all that Darwin has taught us about evolution, it does not actually refute his findings. Rather, it adds to it, providing us with a deeper and more complex understanding of the ways in which evolution works and affects our lives.

After centuries of mistreatment towards African Americans, epigenetics is revealing that they are not only more prone to worse social and economic situations - they are also more prone to diseases. This issue is especially important in the debate over reparations, and I think that more research should be conducted into the role of epigenetics in the lives of descendants of those who suffered under slavery and Jim Crow laws.