Purple in Black: Epilepsy, Resilience, and the Fight for Justice

Epilepsy in Black communities has never existed outside of history. From slavery to modern medicine, Black bodies experiencing seizures have been demonized, punished, institutionalized, and dismissed rather than cared for. This piece traces the legacy of medical racism that has shaped epilepsy care, examines the ongoing disparities in diagnosis, mortality, and mental health, and names the often-overlooked realities of FND and PNES in African Americans. It is a call to remember, to confront, and to move from survival toward sovereignty in neurological care.