While reading the readings and watching the film I was surprised with the information given. Yes, I knew that there were struggles for people, but I didn’t understand how bad it was. In the reading “A Birth Story” by Dána-Ain Davis, Cheyenne Varner & LeConté J. Dill, they discussed how the physicians and nurses treated her horribly. In these conditions, oppression should not exist. The health of a mother is more important than the color of her skin or should be. It showed me the experience of an African American woman. I had no clue they were going through that. Giving birth should be one of the best memories a parent could have but due to disclination some parents remember something else. What surprised me in “12 Reasons It Should Be Illegal for Doctors Not to Treat Trans People” by Diana Tourjée, was that they were in the making of a new rule proposed where healthcare providers and insurers to legally deny care to transgender people. “Period: End of Sentence” was an intriguing and shocking film to watch. It’s absurd to believe they knew what a period was, but their reactions to seeing a pad and having questions were stunning. When they asked the males what a period was, some didn’t know, which was shocking, but they didn’t make it feel awkward; rather, they seemed to want to know what it was. In many respects, the style of both the readings and the film influenced my perspective of medical oppression. The style in which the experiences are delivered has an impact on my perspective of medical oppression and/or other aspects of gender as plain ignorance. Each story followed a similar pattern of judgmental medical authorities who ignored their professional services in order to act on their personal convictions, putting people at risk.

What surprised me were several things in both readings and the film. I always knew that other countries weren’t as educated about menstrual cycles as the U.S is, but I didn’t know men viewed it as a disease or illness. At first, I had negative feelings towards the men, until I realized their education system is not the best. Therefore, this has caused them to make women believe they are dirty for having something natural that they cant control. It’s shameful that they have to make pads with the machines themselves. Pads should be easily accessible to everyone. If it wasn’t for the women’s knowledge, they would be struggling once a month because India, along with other countries, still don’t care about us. Menstrual’s should be mainstream and taught to prevent a bad stigma around it. Im grateful for the privilege I have that allows me to be able to go to the store and grab a box of pads off the shelf. Countries need to start making women’s health a priority. In “A Birth Story” I wasn’t so much shocked, but rather disappointed. Why is race even involved in the process of birth? Shame on the nurses in her situation. Her feeling disregarded after having her baby shows how little they cared. When the nurse said she should just have a C section because she was inconveniencing him, it felt like he viewed her body like an object. She waited 9 months just to be told by an annoyed nurse what she should do. Obstetric racism needs to be addressed because this adds on to the mothers stress and puts their health at risk. 12 reasons it should be illegal for doctors not to treat trans people was something I connected to. Ian Andersons mentality was similar to mine. Not that I thought trans people were bullshit, but I disregarded their issues because I wasn’t educated enough to speak on them. Now, I understand the importance of ensuring their rights are secured, especially because the government is making healthcare harder for them. I didn’t know people in the medical field put their job aside and let their personal feelings get in the way of helping someone.

The format of both readings and video impacted my understanding of medical oppression in many ways. 12 reasons allowed me to read different experiences from people who dealt with medical oppression first hand. The video allowed me to see how women in India are defying the odds with their creativity and passion to help each other. A Birth Story also helped me read an experience from a black women, warning me of what can happen as a minority when I decide to become a mother one day.

After watching the film “Period. End of Sentence” I was completely in shock. I felt so sad, knowing what I know now about these girls is so heartbreaking. Those girls have no knowledge of what menstruation is, they don’t really know what a pad is. They stop going to school because of their menstruation is insane. It makes me realize how privileged we are to be able to have health education classes to teach us as well as family, being able to walk into a store and be able to purchase pads and tampons or cramp medication. These women don’t have many of that. The way they try to make a living, going pharmacy to pharmacy getting these men to sell pads and getting turned away is heartbreaking. It makes me want to do something about it. In the reading of “12 Reasons it Should be Illegal for Doctors Not to Treat Trans People” I’m speechless. What type of inhumane article did I just read? WHAT!? WOW! To legally deny care to transgender people? I don’t understand why is it anyones business what people do to their bodies. Doctors and nurses take a oath called “The Hippocratic Oath.” “Oath, do no harm, practice discretion and be dedicated to their work.” I, that want to go into the medical field could never deny medical care to any patient. These people already struggle on a day to day life to get accepted so for them to go through medical discrimination also? Why? Reading all these comments, is shocking the world we are living on. In “A Birth Story” I’m not shocked to be honest. I feel like nowadays the younger the doctor is the more dismissive they are. My sister actually went through a similar experience, when she was pregnant she also had to get induced due to her high blood pressure and swelling. Upon arrival to the hospital she shows them her ID because she is a physician assistant and works in the same hospital but completely different location. My sister is hispanic, she also did want a vaginal delivery and when she was giving birth she hemorrhaged. My sister was literally about to die and they were not paying no mind to her, mind you she’s a physician assistant in the hospital. Thankfully one of the nurses noticed and they saved her! My sister ended up making a compliant. When it comes to hospitals, nothing surprises me anymore. Its a shame what LeConté went through and honestly I can’t wait to get into the medical field, because that won’t happen if i’m present.

When I was watching the film “ Period. End of Sentence” it was shocking how most of the woman didn’t know what a pad was or how it was used. Also how men didn’t know what a period was many of them thought it was a disease that woman got. There was a lot of ignorance when it came to that, they weren’t properly educated not just woman but this included men also. This describes how women focused on women’s education and healthcare, as well as how the shame of menstruation endures in India’s rural communities.”12 Reasons Doctors Should Not Treat Trans People” was written in response to a particular regime proposed by the Department of Health and Human Services in 2019 that could not only make medical care for transgender people worse, but also protect the denial of health care to trans people under federal policy. It provides an overview of the rule, but what’s more interesting are the 12 responses from people who dislike it, in which they tell their tales. Dr. Dana-Ain Davis collaborated on “A Birth Story” alongside Leconté J Dill, whose story is featured, and Cheyenne Varner, who drew the piece. This piece focuses on stories delivered with words and/or imagery to address Obstetric Racism. The article that stuck out more to me was “12 Reasons It Should Be Illegal for Doctors Not to Treat Trans People” because I wasn’t aware that rejected any type of care a trans women or men has or needs. I didn’t know that even in the medical field there is discrimination, there’s also racism that we’re not aware of.There shouldn’t be any kind of neglect towards anyone we are all the same, we bleed the same and have the same needs. Just because we don’t feel comfortable in our body we should not be treated any different than anyone else.This affects many people we shouldn’t judge someone’s identity.As a result, there is more discrimination between and among genders, as well as a significant disparity in men’s and women’s success.

To begin with and furmore, I trust everybody had a great and loose spring break. I need to talk about the “12 Reasons It Should Be Illegal for Doctors Not to Treat Trans People” perusing. I was exceptionally shocked at how non-binary and trans individuals are treated. I knew they were not break even with and abused but when it came to a life and passing after I accept they were treated more better. I am humiliated and embarrassed as a human. The stories from people approximately their traumatizing involvement with the healthcare calling. I think a parcel of individuals would be astounded at these stories since being denied wellbeing help is preposterous and wicked. You might as well point the weapon to their head in case that’s the case. Moving on to “A Birth Story” This was an curiously article to me. I seen the title and picture and thought to myself what discrimantion can ladies conceivably got to go through. As I started to perused the article, I am moreover stunned by the involvement LeConte had to go through. She was talked almost like she was imperceptible and disrespected. Her choice to experience vaginal birth was criticized nor was it taken genuinely. My point of see with respect to the therapeutic calling is totally diverse. I never thought anybody let alone a pregnant lady had to encounter this. The flim “Period:End of Sentence” was a pleasant film to observe. I felt so awful that ladies and youthful young ladies had never utilized a cushion some time recently. As a young lady myself, I know that depending on dress to assist with the dying isn’t accommodating nor comfortable. These ladies felt humiliated around men. Dropping out of school for this reason isn’t alright. Ladies halt learning after 5 review since they can’t deal with having their menstrual period and being at school. Usually an persecution I never thought ladies would ever have to be confront. They battle as ladies since they are ladies. We have no control over what happens to our body yet we are punished for it. These oppressions that Trans gender, black pregnant women and women in India all have one thing in comment is that they are struggling to be who they are and chose to be. I believe things will change for instance, The women in India were taught to make pads and sell them in their community. Overall This topic taught be a lot about Indian women’s culture and how it is not easy.

The film itself truly surprised me due to its very real, vivid representation of the negligence in some countries to sexually educate their people. The most appalling detail in the film, in my opinion, was that young girls would drop out of college after getting their periods. That ignorance, in itself, creates many inequalities between men and women from an early age. The less women obtain a college education, the less their salaries will be, and the lack of education will also place them at a lower place than that of men. The fact that this is occurring due to the inability of the people of India to disclose the fact that menstrual cycles are a completely normal thing that all women undergo, and to explain that in a manner at home and schools in which all children understand it is crazy to me. This is how we end up with more discrimination between and within genders and a huge gap between the success of men and women. The readings also surprised me because both really showed the discrimination that exists between race/gender in our society. “A Birth Story” was interesting to read to see how the narrator’s experience of giving birth was affected by her race, which is the last thing you would probably associate with birth-giving. The readings were similar in that they dealt with discrimination in the medical field. It’s so important to understand medical oppression because of it’s importance in people’s health and well-being. The article “12 Reasons It Should Be Illegal for Doctors Not to Treat Trans People” was really shocking to me because I would not even think that doctors and insurance companies would really neglect taking care of or providing service to transgender individuals. Our system is so flawed and the medical field is imperative to everyone’s daily lives. Trans people or any people should not be rejected any kind of care simply because of their identity. The format of this article, especially the end where all the people speaking out against the proposed law told their views on this, really touched my heart because this really affects so many people’s lives. There was one, specifically, that said that these trans people could be absolutely anyone — you, your coworker, a family member, a friend, and that’s really why understanding these complexities in identity and normalizing them rather than labeling them as deviating from the norm is imperative.

One of the things that really surprise me about the film was people unknown of menstruation like it is not a normal among women. How people avoid it or do not mention it because it is a women thing, and how shy they seem about. Another thing that really stand out to me was the fact that they couldn’t pray or go to the temple while they had the menstrual period because their pray was not going to be heard. I know in the bible in the Old Testament it was a rule that the women couldn’t go to the temple while on it but in the New Testament I guess this rule doesn’t exist. It was  really surprising how they even left school because of menstruation.

From the reading the anesthesiologist comment was painful and disrespectful. I believe they understand what being in labor means. It is not easy even less pain free. Also, the fact that right after giving birth she had to walk with an IV and push the baby car to a room it is really abusive. Yes, they are women that recover and get up the next day like nothing but who are the doctors to assume she was okay to do such a thing. Just like the nurse poked her and poked her unaware of how much pain she was causing. Why could not think about it the other way around and put their self in that situation. 

The connection I can find between the reading and film is oppression. Oppression doesn’t only have to have gender but also it can have a race. The fact that in both the reading and film females are being oppress in such a natural thing like it is menstruation or giving birth is so surprising. I did not think African-American go through such thing I mean I did not think any female could of been in a situation like that, yes, I have seen it in other areas but not on labor. Same with the case of menstruation in India. Oppression doesn’t only come in physical form but most traumatic mentally, which is even more dangerous  

The fact that women basically have to hide such a natural thing because they live in a patriarchy society is sad, also they have to look for ways to avoid marriage because they feel they don’t have place in society is really surprising. Marriage should be a happy and important decision making it because of love not because of cultural “rules”. The film was really great and being able to see the conditions, how they live honestly opens my understanding of the severity of the situation in the case of India, the condition in which they life is already oppressing them and in top being oppress for being woman’s is a lot to handle.  The reading format was really great because by reading it you can maybe imagine what she went through but the use of image put us in her shoes and even make us think how was our labor (the ones that have kids already). This reading and film are perfect example of the different types of oppression: Personal, interpersonal, institutional and cultural.  

Medical oppression is still a problem in today’s society. In the end it falls under gender and race. For example, the Minnesota story by Prairie which I found absurd yet shocking. He was being questioned to confirm if he was trans or not, and even mentioned that he had to wear a ”EMS DO NOT RESUSCITATE” bracelet and carry a physician order in their bag. I feel like it   doesn’t matter what race you are, the color or your skin, what you identify as, everyone should be entitled to healthcare and feel safe that they are going to be taken care of not afraid. Which also goes into the film “Period. End of the sentence”, which I found absolutely shocking and very inspiring to watch. It’s crazy to think they knew what a period was but their reaction to seeing a pad and having questions were just shocking. Another part was when they question the men what is a period and some didn’t have a clue, which I love that they didn’t make it seem uncomfortable rather they seem like they wanted to know what it really is. In the film these ladies were able to make and sell their own product which I found so beautiful. I feel that everyone should have access to these types of products, everywhere. I also believe everyone men and women should learn about what women go through, because it’s not embarrassing, it’s nothing to be ashamed off, and it’s natural. This is something that should be spoken more on.  

Medical oppression is an awful problem in our current society today. Many factors come into play like, social status especially gender and race. I did not get much of a surprise from “A Birth Story’ by Dr. Dana-Ain Davis, because I have heard similar experiences from black women in my community as well as close family members. However, Eden Prairie, Minnesota story was a bit surprising to me when he stated that he now wears a “EMS Do Not Resuscitate” bracelet and carry a doctor signed [Do Not Resuscitate] order in his purse. I felt as though he made his experience get the better of him and I also felt that he had no support from anyone, no care or affection. When I came to the U.S a past co-worker had told me about an experience she had with a person who wore the [Do Not Resuscitate] and shared the negative effect it could have on the person trying to help but has no knowledge on things of that nature (like me). She mentioned to me that the person could sue you if they survive (not sure if that was true).

The connections I had with the readings were that anyone could experience medical oppression when the person who is giving the services has a certain belief about, race, social status, gender etc. However, Black people and non-conforming people has a higher percentage experiencing medical oppression today. Medication oppression can be considered one of the worse oppressions today because it has to do with the body and being denied of medical care especially when sick or injured and is seeking help but in denial.

The format in which the stories are shared impact my understanding of medical oppression and/or other aspects of gender as pure ignorance and dehumanization amongst each other. Each story shared a similar pattern of judgmental medical officials who ignorantly set aside their professional services and act out on their personal beliefs putting transgender individuals at risk. The LGBTQ community and the black community LGBTQ community discrimination daily but imagine needing treatment and is being denied because of being something you cannot change and is human just like anyone else. “A Birth Story” really resonated with me because I am a black female and would never want to even imagine being humiliated and treated unfairly because of the color of my skin. It is scary to think of a situation like that and it seems that no matter how much planning ahead of time with the most appropriate/relatable people available there is always a bad apple in the bunch.

What surprised me about the video Period. End of Sentence. was how taboo periods are for India. They laugh or giggle when speaking about their menstruation. I also find it shocking what women have to use for replacement of a pad which is just sad and honestly something no women should experience. Every women should have access to sanitary feminine products. I also found it shocking the rules that men/elderly places on periods and the lack of privacy they have when changing or talking about this topic. The fact women aren’t allowed in the temples because being on their period means they are dirty angers me because periods should not be seen as something dirty or taboo but should be seen as something beautiful because of its role in our beautiful bodies. Also , just the fact they didn’t know to use a pad actually shocked me. For the next readings ” A Birth Story ” & ” 12 Reasons It Should Be Illegal for Doctors Not to Treat Trans People ” , I wasn’t really shocked because medical malpractice and medical discrimination happens so often that its just sad that the government and news don’t talk about it enough. It’s depressing that it kind of just became something you get used too.

The similarities I found in the film and the texts were how Women are conditioned to try to be okay with things that are messed up in the system. In the film it is how women should be okay with not having sanitary pads available to them. How they should be ok with men not giving them privacy or be ok with getting rules placed on them. In the texts it feels like you’re kind of just forced to be ok with things. ” A Birth Story ” the doctors and nurses ignored her many times making her feel dismissed and disrespected. While in the other text , yeah you can send these letters but theirs still a chance of “what if they don’t listen?”. So it just feels like you’re hopeless.

The provided texts and films of this week provided me a deeper understanding of how medical oppression can affect everyone. You can be in the face of death but some people will think you’re exaggerating or because you are a specific skin color you can handle more pain. I feel like medical oppression can also go beyond gender and colors but even just things like weight. I had mentioned a few weeks back about how I face medical oppression all the time because of my weight. I am a plus size woman. Many times i’ve needed to get lab done , many nurses find my veins very quickly but other nurses have blamed me for them hurting my veins when doing lab ; all nurses telling me how “lose weight and no one would have to hurt you”. Even having doctors that ask for labs to be ran on me THREE times “just to make sure” when they get the results and see i’m perfectly healthy.