The afrocentricity paradigm and a new humanity conception in public health: reflections on the relationship between mental health and racism

Abstract

This essay aims to provide elements for the study of the relationship between mental health and racism in order to cast a conception of humanity in public health as from the afrocentricity paradigm. These reflections depart from problematizing the existence of two civilizational paradigms that form the Brazilian society and produce subjectivities: the Western paradigm and the black-African one. In the public health field, the challenge concerns the launching of a new process of listening and recognition of different values and civilizational practices, breaking with the bigoted and racist sight still turned against African descendent people.

MENTAL HEALTH; Racism; Public health; Psychology, social