Following numerous challenges that were being encountered by member of the black community, it was evident through the approach that was taken in reference to psychiatric analysis that black people were frequently diagnosed with schizophrenia. This act was seen as a move by the American government to discriminate racially against members of the black community. The diagnosis made on black people went unchallenged until question started being raised on this issue. In order to challenge this diagnosis and theory that black people were more likely to be diagnosed with schizophrenia, the book the Protest Psychosis was authored to challenge this theory. This was among the first book that challenged the schizophrenia theory.
The significance of this book is the meaning behind the title of the book. The significance of this book is the approach it takes in ensuring that the misconceptions that have been established regarding schizophrenia in black people and other genders are well evaluated (Metzi 43). This is because there had been different theories explaining the psychiatric conditions of black people and other genders. Despite the existence of these theories, there were no proper critical reviews trying to challenge the theories. Therefore, this book is significant in trying to provide a critical review on the competence the professional who reached this conclusion, and they were gender and racially biased. This is witnessed in the approach the book takes in establishing this analysis. The book got its title from the revolution that was taking place in reference to these diagnosis and analysis made. This is witnessed in the black movements’ efforts to try and challenge the competence of the professionals and the truth behind these diagnoses. This is evident in the content of the book and the approach taken to try and challenge the existing theories.
In this particular era, science was misused through the diagnoses that were made in reference to the approach psychiatrists took. This is made clear through the arguments provided where they state that the psychiatrists made this diagnosis to ensure that the black people did not get to be heard. This is because there was a growing rebellion where the growing black community was seeking recognition of their rights. Through this growing rebellion, the psychiatrists tried to make black people look schizophrenias in order to make the growing movement stop. This diagnosis would help the Americans in ensuring that black people are not taken seriously and made not fit to make any decisions since they were mentally unstable. This is elaborated in the numerous biased diagnoses that were made on black people. The diagnosis was mainly made on black Americans in order to make the theory behind the diagnosis true. This is a clear example on how medical science can be used to police and control people’s lives. This is because; it is through science that Black Americans were made to believe that they were likely to be suffering from schizophrenia.
Through this book, it is evident that women were violated through the approach that is taken towards them. This is through making women look inferior from the aspect that they are socially inferior compared to men (Fausto-Sterling 20). This is evident in the engineering period where women were viewed differently if they partook engineering (Bix 5). This help in building the books analysis where women were also undermined under these diagnoses where they were diagnosed with schizophrenia. This is because women were also in the move to get them recognized as equal members of the society (Lober 56). Other members of the society and particularly the leaders were not happy about these moves and wanted them stopped. Women lacked proper education due to gender discrimination which made them not able to lead (Sue 1). It is through diagnosing women with the disease that they would be stopped from taking part in this uprising. Women were judged by the society on their ability to rule (Welter 152). It is clear through previous records and historical analysis that women are socially viewed differently from men. This is because they are expected by the society to be subordinates of men where they are not in full control of certain matters. In order to stop this, there was a movement by women to try and up rise and fight the stereotypes who viewed them as inferior. From the change of diagnosis of medication of patients in these psychiatric facilities, it is evident that there are serious challenges that need to be addressed in order to stop the stereotypical way that the society views women through. Through the changes in diagnoses experienced in psychiatric diagnosis that was experienced, it is made clear that femininity and masculinity is not fixed biologically but rather it has always been the same. This is experienced in the instance where intersexuality is culturally defined (Suzzane 4).
Women’s ability has always been limited since there are various social aspects that have not been in support of gender equality. This is attributed to the various limitations that have been put by the society to ensure that it they do not become equal competitors’ males. This is because it has been established that men have been the sole leaders of the world and are subjected to dominate over women. In order to stop the opposition that was being seen and to limit woman’s authority, diagnosing women with different psychiatric diseases and disorders was a way established to stop them from being taken seriously and being able to take leadership positions. The book tries to state the injustices that have faced members of different races, particularly the black community and the existence and gender inequality that have been witnessed. It is evident that there were numerous professional malpractices aimed at limiting certain individuals’ ability to partake in activities aimed at redefining bounds.
Through this book, there has been a clear overview of the role psychiatrists played in the early American history in efforts to limit the ability of certain races to partake in politics and other activities. This is elaborated in the different diagnoses that were made in efforts to stop the black community from partaking in different activities that may have led to competition of various positions within the society. The USA saw this as a threat and therefore never spoke about the diagnoses that were being made. The book also emphasis on the need to make sure there are changes made in the American psychiatric institutions in order to stop malpractices that may still exist. There are also emphases made on the need for adapting structural competence instead of cultural competence. This is because, cultural competence may go against certain individual’s rights, and this is clear in the instance where women were diagnosed with different psychiatric conditions in efforts to stop a revolution that would see women awarded equal rights and privileges as those entitled to males. The book, the Protest Psychosis, discusses the negligence and malpractices that existed that other countries and people failed to talk about.
Work Cited
Bix, S, Amy. “From “Engineeresses” to “Girl Engineers” to “Good Engineers”: A history of Women’s U.S Engineering Education”. Vol. 16, No. 1. 2004. Print.
Fausto-Sterling, Anne. Gender Race and Nation. The Comparative Anatomy of ‘Hottentot’ Women in Europe, 1815-1817.
Lober, Judith. Night to His Day: The Social Construction of Gender. 1994. Print.
Metzi, Jonathan. The Protest Psychosis: How Schizopherian Became a Black Disease. Boston. Beacon Press. 2011. Print.
Sue, Zschoche, “Dr. Clarke Revisited: Science, True Womanhood, and Female Collegiate Education,” History of Education Quarterly 29, no. 4 (Winter, 1989), pp. 545-569
Suzzane, J. Kessler. “The Medical Construction of Gender: Case Management of Intersected Infants”. Vol. 16, No 1. 1990. Print.
Welter, Barbara. “The Cult of True Womanhood 1820-1860”. Vol. 18, No, 2.
