On Wednesday, Feb. 27, Visiting Assistant Professor of Sociology/Anthropology, Kristin Bright, spoke about her current book project. Building upon her doctoral dissertation, which explored traditional medical methods in India, Bright's book investigates the growing strain between the practice of traditional and modern medicine. Is one better or more effective than the other? Bright said the country itself struggles to define a "legitimate" medical method and as such questions remain.
Growing globalization and ensuing pressure to modernize society had nudged traditional medicine, called Unani, to the side. This too is crafting a gender divide, as men are often those with MD's, while women remain in the kitchen crushing, mixing and sifting herbs to create their remedies. Bright's discussion points to larger questions in global health and medical practice, positing how to balance old versus new methodology in our dynamic, interconnected global network.
