Golden State Today

A presentation by Arline T. Geronimus, author of the UC Davis Campus Community Book Project's 2024-2025 selection "Weathering: The Extraordinary Stress of Ordinary Life in an Unjust Society," took place at the Mondavi Center’s Vanderhoef Studio Theatre on March 4. Geronimus, a professor at the University of Michigan’s School of Public Health, introduced her concept of "weathering" during her hour-long talk titled “Weathering and Health Equity: Social Identity, High Effort Coping, and Joy.”

Geronimus explained that "weathering" describes the physiological process where marginalized communities experience accelerated wear and tear due to structural challenges. She stated, “To be ‘weathered’ is to be repeatedly and chronically subjected to the structural challenges and existential insults that our society creates for those who are marginalized as they work to survive or overcome them.” This process can lead even young individuals in these communities to become “biologically old,” with symptoms such as weakened blood vessels and accelerated cellular damage.

Geronimus highlighted that “population health inequity reflects increasing physiological vulnerability over the life course among marginalized groups.” She noted that weathering results from a societal structure organized under contradictory premises regarding equality and hierarchy influenced by skin color.

The book "Weathering" is part of UC Davis's Campus Community Book Project, now in its 23rd year. The project was founded after 9/11 to encourage respectful conversations around shared topics aligned with the Principles of Community. Next year's theme will focus on "belonging," marking the 35th anniversary of these principles.

During a Q&A session moderated by former NPR host Donna Apidone, discussions touched on themes like self-care versus constant struggle. Geronimus referenced Audre Lorde’s definition of self-care as both self-preservation and political warfare. Audience members asked about navigating public health programming amid current political climates and post-pandemic realities.

Geronimus concluded by emphasizing that any social policy aiming to improve life for affected communities must reflect their lived experiences: “Any social policy decision intended to improve their everyday life must reflect the lived reality of the people who are meant to be its beneficiaries.”