RACISM IN THEIR BLOOD: HOW U.S. BANNED BLACK DONORS

Throughout the ‘80s, during the height of the AIDS scare, the US banned first Haitians and then Africans from donating blood.

Back then, Black immigrants along with gay and bisexual men, haemophiliacs and users of hypodermic needles were all deemed by The United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as high risk when it came to transmitting HIV.

In response, tens of thousands of Haitian and African immigrants took to the streets in protest - leading, eventually, to the reversal of the FDA’s decision.

It’s a reminder of the institutional racism our people have had to combat, but also an inspiration - collective action works. In what struggle today do you want to see more collective action?