This made-up medical diagnosis has been used to justify police violence for decades

The concept of “excited delirium” has been used to justify extreme force from law enforcement and to cover up police violence. Coined by a medical examiner in Florida in the ‘80s, it has its roots in eugenics. Abdul reflects on the way that pseudoscience has too often been used by the medical establishment to justify racist maltreatment. Then he interviews Prof. Aisha Beliso-De Jésus, an anthropologist and author of a new book about the history and consequences of “Excited Delirium.” This show would not be possible without the generous support of our sponsors. America Dissected invites you to check them out. This episode was brought to you by: Marguerite Casey Foundation: Sign up for their new Summer School program at CaseyGrants.org/SummerSchool. Article: Check out their spring and summer home collection at article.com/AD. Make sure to use promo code AD at checkout to save $50 off your first purchase of $100 or more. Liquid I.V.: Turn your ordinary water into extraordinary hydration with Liquid I.V.® Get 20% off your first order of Liquid I.V.® when you go to liquidiv.com and use code DISSECT at checkout.