Archiving Medical Violence: A Critical Examination of the US Public Health System

Written by Christopher Perreira, this groundbreaking book offers a nuanced and interdisciplinary exploration of the US public health system, shedding light on the complex intersections of culture, race, and criminality that shape our understanding of national and scientific progress.

Unpacking the Notions of Progress and Empire

Perreira’s innovative work delves into the medical archive, examining how it is produced, remembered, and contested within cultural production and critical memory. By centering the contradictions of settler colonialism and racial capitalism, he reveals how medical violence is often narrated as a public good, driving contemporary politics of citizenship, memory, and identity.

A Comparative Analysis Across Time and Space

The book presents a range of case studies from different locations, including Hawaii, California, Louisiana, and Guatemala, spanning the 19th century to the present day. Perreira’s research places official archives in dialogue with visual and literary works, patient writing, and more, offering a comprehensive understanding of the complex terrains of medical violence and public health.

Exposing the Contested Public Terrains of Value and Vulnerability

Through his meticulous analysis, Perreira reveals a medical imaginary built on racialized criminality, which has far-reaching implications for our understanding of bodies, geographical locations, and national identity. This book is a crucial contribution to the fields of medical humanities, public health, and critical race studies.

Publisher: University of Minnesota Press
Publication Date: October 10, 2023
Language: English
ISBN: 9781517907129, 9781452960739

Note: The e-book version of this title is screen-reader friendly, featuring images with short alt text and/or extended descriptions, making it accessible to all readers.