Human Rights Optional: The Medical Committee for Human Rights in Mississippi and Visions of Structural Change versus Provision of Short-Term Aid Open Access

Abstract

Existing historical research fails to examine the relationship between the Medical Committee for Human Rights’ (MCHR) activities in Mississippi and the movement already well underway in the state during the mid-1960s. Given the need for exploration of this relationship, this thesis will address the overlap of the work of the MCHR physicians and nurses with the power of local Black leadership. This thesis will also examine the reasons for MCHR’s retreat out of Mississippi, including changes in the movement, tensions with COFO (the Council of Federated Organizations), and the Medical Committee’s demonstrated lack of interest in long term change in the state. Ultimately, this work highlights the importance of approaching health through a framework of community power and human rights, using the Medical Committee’s work in Mississippi as a lesson.

Table of Contents

Table of Contents

 

Introduction …………………………….….…………………………….…………. 1

 

Chapter 1: Emergency Care is Not the Answer ……………………………………. 5

 

Chapter 2: Health by the People …………………………….………………………20

 

Chapter 3: Abandoning the Cause …………………………….….…………………34

 

Conclusion …………………………….….…………………………….………...…48

 

About this Honors Thesis

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School	Emory College
Department	African American Studies
Degree	B.A.
Submission	Honors Thesis
Language	English
Research Field	African American Studies
Keyword	Health organizing Medical Committee for Human Rights Jim Crow medicine
Committee Chair / Thesis Advisor	Carol Anderson, Emory University
Committee Members	Alix Chapman, Emory University Walter Rucker, Emory University

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