51 pages • 1 hour read
Harriet A. WashingtonMedical Apartheid: The Dark History of Medical Experimentation on Black Americans from Colonial Times to the Present
Nonfiction | Book | Adult | Published in 2007A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Before You Read
Super Short Summary
Medical Apartheid by Harriet A. Washington uncovers the extensive history of unethical medical experimentation on African Americans from colonial times to the present, highlighting cases such as the Tuskegee Syphilis Study and the exploitation of slaves and prisoners for medical advancements. Washington aims to bridge the health disparity between African Americans and white Americans by revealing these abuses and promoting ethical medical practices. This book discusses medical discrimination, coercion, and non-consensual experimentation.
Reviews & Readership
Review Roundup
Medical Apartheid by Harriet A. Washington is widely praised for its thorough research and compelling narrative on the history of medical exploitation of African Americans. Reviewers commend its depth and rigor but note its disturbing content and dense academic style. Despite being challenging, it is considered essential for understanding racial disparities in healthcare.
Who Should Read Medical Apartheid?
Readers interested in Medical Apartheid by Harriet A. Washington tend to be those intrigued by the intersections of medical history, ethics, and racial justice. Similar audiences have appreciated Rebecca Skloot's The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks and Michelle Alexander's The New Jim Crow.
RecommendedReading Age
18+yearsLexile Level
1400L