A Celebration of Black History Month 
2023 
Welcome, friends. 
 
This month we celebrate Black History.
 
America's history from an important, never to be forgotten, nor erased, standpoint.      
 
 
 

 
Hi friend, 
 
If this is the first time I have the pleasure of virtually meeting you, let me introduce myself.  My name is Dr Amna Khan. Born and raised in the Bay Area, California, I am a biracial, bilingual, bicultural pediatrician and health equity activist who has been caring for resilient children and their families at a large, safety net public medical institution for the last 10 years.
 
I am so glad you are here this month and hope you are well.  This newsletter is dedicated to the celebration of Black history. We honor this concentrated time to recognize the innumerable ways in which our African Ancestry community has founded, enriched and empowered the America we live in today.  
 
The challenge for me was to limit myself to the very best recommendations and my own personal musings about this month of celebration. I hope you are sipping something delicious and spend some time diving into, and contemplating, the information I have curated for our amazing, growing community of equity champions.   
 

 
This month's recommendations: 

 
Favorite quote for the month:  
 
“Radical empathy, on the other hand, means putting in the work to educate oneself and to listen with a humble heart to understand another's experience from their perspective, not as we imagine we would feel. Radical empathy is not about you and what you think you would do in a situation you have never been in and perhaps never will. It is the kindred connection from a place of deep knowing that opens your spirit to the pain of another as they perceive it”.

-Isabel Wilkerson
from “Caste: the Origins of our Discontents”
 

 
My reflection:  
 
This quote masterfully takes my heartfelt feelings and translates them into words.  When I started my deeper, intentional journey of transformation into a racial health equity activist, I thought my primary role was to represent and amplify the challenging realities of the communities that I claim as my own. This is a natural instinct we all have to protect what we hold closest in our hearts and what we identify strongest with. 
 
What I know and feel now deep into the depths of my core is something much more profound---my full purpose and power is to utilize my physician platform to advocate fiercely for the communities who historically have been the most disenfranchised and marginalized throughout time.  I do not have the lived experience of my fellow African American but I can commit to practicing radical empathy and find impactful ways to ally myself in our mutual, ongoing quest for equity and justice.
 
I come to listen, learn and rise up for what is humane and just. When we show up in our personal and professional lives with an open perspective based on learning and listening, of centering this community’s voices in solidarity, we also lift up and empower the other vulnerable, disenfranchised, subjugated people that are exposed to systemic and pervasive inequities in all facets of life.  I will use whatever privilege has been granted in my life to lessen the unfair burden of those around me for this is my moral duty.  White supremacy culture has tried to convince us that those from different races of color are so different, that your struggle could never be mine and is completely yours to bear alone.  I disagree and affirm that our future is instead intricately bound to each other-- my liberation will only come when you are free and my justice will only be delivered when you are genuinely respected.
 
This is my (first) version of a (news)letter created in love for our African Ancestry community.  In this modern time marked by oppressive, overt censorship and omission, I want to say clearly that I see your resistance, feel your unwavering strength and I celebrate your magnificent power every month of the year.  
 
In solidarity always,
Amna 
 
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Knowledge is most powerful when it is transformed into action. How will you use what you have learned this month to make positive change for the future? How will you practice “radical empathy”?  
 
Write to me and share your thoughts: 
thepeoplespediatrician@gmail.com
 

 
Big things are coming…
 
The People's Pediatrician website launching soon for more connection and reflection. ❤  
 
 
 
If you are enjoying The People's Pediatrician, I'd be so appreciative of you sharing with your networks. Let's spread the urgent message of racial health equity and collectively stand up for radical change around us.  
See you here next month to continue our conversation. 
 
With love,  
— Amna 
 
  I do not receive any financial compensation for clicking the links included in this newsletter and prefer to include businesses that are great avenues to invest resources into the community.  I also love my local library and encourage you to use yours whenever possible.  My primary goal with creation of this newsletter is for it to be utilized as a trusted source of valuable information for our community. 

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