White Coats for Black Lives (WC4BL) aims to dismantle racism in medicine and fight for the health of Black people and other people of color. While not exhaustive, you will find several of our guiding principles and vision below. This document represents both what we believe in and aspire to be. We encourage all current and prospective chapters to ensure their organizing encompasses these ideologies, as we view them as essential in ensuring the health of Black people and communities. We also list them here so we may be held accountable in our efforts. While some of our work is focused on more immediate harm mitigation, we do not believe in reformist policies. We demand intentional, community-centered, transformative change.

Our job is two-fold: 1) dismantling dominant, exploitative systems in the United States, which are largely reliant on anti-Black racism, colonialism, cisheteropatriarchy, white supremacy, and capitalism; and 2) rebuilding a future that supports the health and well-being of marginalized communities. As Fannie Lou Hamer said, “Nobody’s free until everybody’s free.” We are dreaming of a world where Black people have the autonomy, prioritization, and tools to lead healthy lives on their own terms, and the health of our society is rooted in the well-being of those most marginalized. We believe in fighting for that dream using longitudinal organizing and direct action that prioritizes building collective power over individual gain. We are constantly learning as individuals and as an organization, and we recognize that our work and praxis will continue to evolve. 

Please see our values and vision document for more information and resources.