multiculturalism
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Decolonizing Science Through the Humanities: Healing Lessons from the Wereldmuseum – An insightful patient journey.
The artificial divide between the sciences and the humanities is often overstated, particularly when addressing colonial legacies. While science has traditionally focused on empirical inquiry, the humanities—especially museums and the arts—offer critical lessons in healing from the wounds of colonialism… Continue reading
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“Commemorating the Berlin Conference: Division, Exploitation, and Western Science’s Complicity — A Call for Transforming Global Healthcare”.
Today marks the anniversary of the Berlin Conference of 1884-1885, a pivotal event that shattered the sovereignty of the African continent in the continuation of a narcissistic enterprise that aimed to transform the world so it could reflect Europe’s grandiose… Continue reading
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Food for thought: Moving Beyond “Patient-Focused” to “Patient-Engaged” Science
🧠 Food for thought: Moving Beyond “Patient-Focused” to “Patient-Engaged” Science 🔎 Patient-focused approaches, seen in the traditional top-down investigational model, can sometimes treat patients as subjects of care, missing the critical human element of shared decision-making and cultural context. 👥… Continue reading
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🌍 International Mental Health Day: Centering Marginalized Voices in the Mental Health Conversation
Today, October 10th is International Mental Health Day. In 2024, the focus is on the workplace.I am grateful that my professional place provides mental health resources to support its dedicated workforce’s diverse experiences and needs. As an African descendant, Asian-raised… Continue reading
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From expert-centric Western science to patient and authentic humanity’s self-empowerment: a thought-provoking journey. (Bonus Part 4)
Chapter 4: “If you are always trying to be normal, you will never know how amazing you can be.” – Maya Angelou. In 1837, during the golden age of the physician-scientist, ten years before Hungarian physician Ignaz Semmelweis proposed his… Continue reading
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From expert-centric Western science to patient and authentic humanity’s self-empowerment: a thought-provoking journey. (Part 3)
The narrative explores the challenges of identity and the interconnectedness of humanity through the lens of personal and historical experiences of Black Americans and Africans. It emphasizes the importance of multidimensional perspectives over binary thinking, addressed issues of colonialism, and… Continue reading
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Science decoloniality 101: Dispelling the skin mythology of Western science’s magical thinking
The lack of critical thinking and cultural self-reflection in Western science knowledge about humankind is one of the most overlooked harms to patients. Skin cancer is a poignant example of how Eurocentric Western healthcare design feeds patient inequities through a… Continue reading
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Childhood trauma and Western cultural misrepresentation of humanity: Reading of The Reappearance, a historical multicultural memoir, at the American Book Center in Amsterdam on April 5th, 2024.
Trigger warning: This content discusses the trauma of colonization. It includes descriptions of slavery and oppression, which may be distressing, especially for enslaved African descendants. Viewer discretion is advised. While my parents had many pictures of our family in Congo,… Continue reading
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Western science’s magical thinking: another global patient experience.
Western science’s entrenched myths perpetuate magical thinking and biases. Personal experiences and professional expertise challenge misconceptions and advocate for inclusive, collaborative progress. Continue reading
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Of Gods – Part 2/2: Awaking the Tiger (Extract of the Reappearance, a multicultural historical memoir)
The insightful conversation with my Sikh architect father about the religious diversity in India sparked a hunger for knowledge in an eight-year-old girl. I expressed interest in following principles from Buddhism, Jainism, and Hindu mythology. My father emphasized the importance… Continue reading
Reappearance 