Research to Address Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Mental Health: Some Lessons Learned

Abstract

The noted journalist Theodore H. White (1979) concluded that three issues have always plagued American society: Bread and butter, war and peace, and Black and White. This last issue concerns race and ethnic relations. Why have ethnic and racial conflicts persisted for centuries, when during this time period we have made unprecedented technological advances and solved many perplexing problems? We have evolved a Constitution and democratic society that attempt to hold the high ideals of freedom and justice for all. We have sent human beings to the moon, connected the world through an Internet system, and mapped the human genome. Yet, our society as well as those throughout the world continues to grapple with ethnic and racial prejudice and discrimination, slurs, violence, ethnic cleansing, and disparities in privilege and the quality of life.