Harriet Washington, in 'Medical Apartheid: The Dark History of Medical Experimentation on Black Americans from Colonial Times to the Present,' documents the smallpox experiments Thomas Jefferson performed on his Monticello slaves. In fact, much of what we now think of as public health emerged from the slave system.

The quote by Greg Grandin, "Harriet Washington, in 'Medical Apartheid: The Dark History of Medical Experimentation on Black Americans from Colonial Times to the Present,' documents the smallpox experiments Thomas Jefferson performed on his Monticello slaves. In fact, much of what we now think of as public health emerged from the slave system," highlights the dark history of medical experimentation on African Americans, particularly during the era of slavery. Grandin points to Harriet Washington's work in Medical Apartheid, where she exposes how enslaved people were used as subjects for medical trials, including smallpox experiments conducted by Thomas Jefferson. These experiments were a part of the larger exploitation of Black Americans within medical research and public health practices.

The statement emphasizes that much of what is now considered public health practices, such as vaccinations and other health interventions, were built upon unethical and exploitative systems rooted in slavery. Jefferson's use of enslaved individuals for medical experimentation, including testing smallpox inoculation techniques, reflects how scientific and medical advancements were often achieved at the cost of human rights and the suffering of Black Americans. This history is a crucial part of understanding the development of modern public health systems and the need to address their racial injustices.

The origin of this quote stems from Grandin's reflection on the history of public health and the medical exploitation of African Americans. As a historian, Grandin often discusses the intersection of slavery, racism, and historical medical practices. His work brings attention to how systemic racism has influenced not just social and political structures but also healthcare practices, which continue to have lasting effects on public health today.

Grandin's quote serves as a call to acknowledge the harmful legacy of medical practices rooted in slavery and to recognize the need for reform in modern healthcare. By understanding how public health emerged from this dark history, we can better address the racial disparities and injustices that persist in healthcare systems and work toward a more equitable and just future for all.