This week’s readings regarding medical/health concerns affecting different groups were not only surprising to me, but also disheartening. In “12 Reasons It Should Be Illegal for Doctors Not to Treat Trans People”, Diana Trujèe, shared a few comments/opinions that many have against the new rule that the Department of Health and Human Services proposed. This new rule makes it extremely difficult for groups of people, that are already discriminated against, to receive the medications and medical attention that they deserve. What surprised me the most about this reading, in particular, was the lack of empathy that the DOH and “Human” Services have against innocent human beings that have the human right to receive medical attention regardless of gender/race. A comment that stood out to me amongst the rest was written by Reta Leaphart, she stated, “Homelessness and suicide rates for teens are directly linked to sexual and gender identity and it is our responsibility as a society to make these kids feel safe, included, and celebrated. Some studies show that as many as half of transgender teens have attempted suicide. We know that family rejection, discrimination, and violence lead to large numbers of transgender teens becoming homeless. These realities are failures of our humanity and American values.” It’s shocking to think that those in power are choosing to turn the cheek on too many of our own for unreasonable reasons.

 Similarly to this reading, “A Birth Story”, written by Dr. Dana-Ain Davis, shares the birth story of a woman named Leconté J Dill, and how one of the most precious moments one can experience, such as childbirth, turned out to be something unfortunate, and quite traumatic, in my opinion. What was most surprising to me in this reading, was learning about the term obstetric racism. It was a term I had never learned about prior and it was even more shocking learning its definition. For LeConte to have been treated so poorly after asking for the medical attention she deserves, such as the women in this week’s film, and transgender people with the DOH’s new rule was not only unacceptable but inhumane. After thinking back at our lesson on oppression and privilege, obstetric racism is a new low and one that made my jaw drop. 

In the film, Period. End of Sentence was incredibly inspiring to watch. I remember this film winning an academy award the year it was released and was happy to finally get around to watching it. The film takes its viewers into rural India where many women, unfortunately, cannot afford something as critical as pads to have during their menstruation. As a woman myself, I can’t imagine how uncomfortable it is to not have the necessities one needs during their menstruation and how even more uncomfortable it can be to even speak about it. What was most shocking to me about this film, was how empowering it was to watch these women get together and make pads, helping many of the women in the village, and gain financial independence while doing so. This week’s reading and films, all describe and show the many ways different groups of people are affected in regards to receiving the medical attention/supplies they deserve. What these different groups of people ask fr, are things that should not be asked for since they should be recognized as human rights. Even when I feel that I’ve heard it all, or learned it all in regards to oppression in relation