Unity Club met Feb. 12 at the home of Donna Houser with Doris Stranghoner as hostess. Juanita Tolle reviewed the book, “The Bodies Keep Coming: Dispatches from a Black Trauma Surgeon on Racism, Violence, and How We Heal” by Brian H. Williams, M.D. (2023).
Dr. Williams wrote about the history of racism from a personal perspective, including that in our health care industry; from his childhood growing up on Air Force bases; his appointment to the Air Force Academy, his time at Harvard Medical School, and through his current position as a trauma surgeon.
Not only did he describe how he was treated, but he described his response to racism and how that has changed through the years.
The “bodies” are those of gunshot victims from when Dr. Williams was in charge of the team that treated several white law enforcement officers who were shot during a Black Lives Matter rally in Dallas.
Near the end of the book is a detailed “Anatomy of a Gunshot Wound” section, informing readers of the difference between wounds caused by handguns and those caused by assault rifles. Dr. Williams wrote that racism is systemic and it harms families of every race. He offers suggestions for breaking the cycle of violence.
Unity Club meets again March 11 with Judy Arbeiter presenting a book review. Karen Lee will be hostess.
