APHA 2024 Book Launch and Signing Event: Professor Ryan Petteway
At this year’s American Public Health Association (APHA) conference in Minneapolis, attendees had the unique opportunity to engage directly with the timely second edition of Racism: Science & Tools for the Public Health Professional, now available through APHA press. The highlight of the gathering was the formal book launch and signing event, showcasing the diverse and profound contributions within this seminal work.
Professor Ryan J. Petteway, from the OHSU-PSU School of Public Health, authored two pivotal chapters that delve into the union of creative arts, power, and antiracist praxis, highlighting the indispensable role of creative expression in the ongoing struggle for health justice.
Chapter 22: “The Art of Antiracism: Power, Poetry, and Creative Expression in the Struggle for Health Justice” draws from modalities to explore how poetry and creative arts can become powerful conduits for antiracist activism and public health advocacy. Through these creative outlets, Petteway articulates a vivid narrative on the potentials of artistic endeavors to catalyze meaningful social change and health equity.
Chapter 24: “In Search of (Poetic) Health Justice: Public Health Development in Context of Racism’s Destruction and (Poetic) Resistance’s Creativity” further explores the intersection of racism’s systemic impacts and the transformative power of poetic resistance. This chapter positions creative resistance as a fundamental aspect of public health development, advocating for a broader understanding and incorporation of poetic expressions and narratives in shaping antiracist public health practices.
The book signing event provided a forum for attendees to engage with Professor Petteway and other authors, offering personal insights into the development of their chapters and the broader themes of the book. It highlighted the collaborative spirit of the public health community in addressing the complex challenges of racism through scholarly and creative avenues.
For those interested in exploring these critical issues further, the second edition of Racism: Science & Tools for the Public Health Professional is available for purchase at: APHA Publications.