I guess during this week’s reading what surprises me is that in this modern age we are almost at a technological space where cars can fly and we can track our belongings. Where we can even reasonably afford virtual reality. Even in this modern age things like obstetric racism exist despite the fact that each doctor has taken a hippocratic oath. Black people and more specifically black women are continously looked over and ignored by the health system, that the racism in our health care is insidious and murderous and not outright but rather hidden in the overlooking the concerns and needs of pregnant black woman. Additionally, that same system is outright blatantly prejudiced and is even able to do this legally by refusing service when it comes to serving folks of tran experience. In certain areas of the world periods are still misunderstood and deemed as unclean and women do not have the supplies they need to comfortably continue their day when on their period. Honestly what is more surprising for me is the idea that doctors actually listen to certain patients and don’t just choose things for them and ignore their concerns because often that has been my experience growing up in brooklyn. The connection I found across readings and film is that a marginalized group of people did not have access to the medical resources they needed. Their quality of life was impacted by their health needs not being met. The format in which the stories are shared help me understand medical oppression and aspects of gender by explaining the ways that racism can look like in covert ways with the first reading and how it was in the second reading and that both of those are very dangerous when the power of life and death is in someone’s hands. Throughout history the health system has used black and brown bodies as experiments and particularly black women and even latin women were forcefully sterilized. So it is no surprise that our communities are distrusting of these systems and rely on homemade remedies and the hiring of doulas so that we can have the support of people who have a shared experience and anxieties when it comes to healthcare. Our communities need resources and clearly communities around the world need more health resources and health should not be a form of capital, it is a human right and everyone should receive the best quality of care that is available.
7 thoughts on “Giselle Valentine – Discussion 12”
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.
I agree the hospital system is very racist, talking as someone who watched certain occurrences allot of it is really mind blowing. The care as well as the staff and cleanliness of the hospital varies Depending on where the hospital is located .
This is so true, you can go to certain hospitals in certain boroughs and notice a difference in the cleanliness, and the care of the medical staff. Private and city hospitals are totally different. Its a shame.
I like that you mentioned the gap between our technological progress and actual reality. It’s almost ironic that there is so much investment on space exploration, yet so many basic life necessities are not met on Earth. And I often wonder if these two things are directly connected, or am I just being pessimistic?
Giselle Valentine, you make an interesting point that made me question some things after i read you response. Thank you for sharing and opening up my eyes a little.
Hello Giselle,
On the statement on modern age and how we have flying care ad all the materialistic thing but have no respect for transgender and black women to name a few.Thank you for sharing and i like your ending statement that health care should not be a form of capital but it is a human right.
Hi Giselle, I agree with the oath that doctors help all patients with integrity. It’s not always the case with all patients. They seem always to mistreat people of color and don’t hold them at the same level as all patients. The motion of obstetric racism needs to stop. Funding all hospitals equally is a start so that all patients feel welcomed and taken care of regardless of their race.
Hi Giselle! I totally agree with you, according to countless data and investigations, we humans are much more capable with unlimited intelligence, which can bring many things to the world, and even so there is medical negligence. Where they judge you just for being who you are, what you want, or even because of the gender you are. It’s really sad, that when a person needs help, some doctors just turn their heads and say they can’t treat him because of who he is. The truth is really sad, to be able to see all these kinds of things, about how we girls should feel ashamed for a natural fact or we should remain in submission for any idiocy that occurs. To be honest I have always seen soap operas, where they are about doctors and stuff and if I remember correctly there, they have to sign a contract where they say that they must attend to anyone who needs it no matter what. Which makes me think how different it is in reality, since there is medical negligence, where a doctor can tell you “no, I don’t want to treat you because yes” and that’s it. The truth is, I really hope that medicine changes, that doctors have no choice in not treating a patient, and that they do what they should do, which is to help those who need it.