In this memo I explain how privilege can cause large groups of people to receive unfair treatment due to their identity and background. It contains discussion how being part of a more privileged group in society gives me advantages while being part of a minority leaves people with significantly fewer resources.
Areas in Which I am Privileged
There are several reasons why I am privileged; being white, able-bodied, cisgender, receiving an education, and having a stable income are all examples. However, my race is the component that contributes the most to my privilege. People of color may find it difficult to avoid the reality of oppression, while white individuals can often overlook this. This is particularly true in America’s health care …show more content…
It is why I never consider if my race will result in me being possibly mistreated by a provider, or if I should avoid receiving treatment due to stereotypes. Typically, society does not assume that everything I do represents all white populations, while minorities may encounter others viewing them as representatives of their race. Furthermore, due to my privilege, there can be a gap in understanding all forms of oppression a patient may endure.
In the article, a form of this repression is the prevention of a patient from receiving a higher end drug due to the provider assuming they, as a minority, cannot afford it. This may seem like a small mistake, but it could result in a patient not receiving the best health care offered. The hospital segregation and defunding of hospitals in black neighborhoods mentioned earlier is anther instance on a larger scale. It is a less acknowledged form of racism that causes minorities to suffer. The combination of microagressions and systematic racism leaves minorities little reason to trust the health care system.
Examining my Feelings about the Article and how Privilege will affect my …show more content…
I reminded myself that the discussion is constructive criticism that will only benefit my patients. However, there is one part of the commentary I did not fully grasp initially. When Hall and Fields mentioned, “Black persons feel pressure to explain racism, or to teach white persons about it; but that is not their responsibility,” I initially questioned why the people who are experiencing racism would not be the ones to best explain it. However, after reflecting, I am aware of the responsibility of those who benefit from the privilege to try and understand the struggles of those who are not in the same position as them. Minorities should not face oppression and then have society expect them to also educate their oppressors. By evaluating the reading and challenging myself to think about privilege, I now have a greater understanding the different dynamics in health care. The article only scratches the surface of oppression; however, it provides an important start to understanding how I can help my patients and change any discriminatory behavior that I may engage in both now and in the
Areas in Which I am Privileged
There are several reasons why I am privileged; being white, able-bodied, cisgender, receiving an education, and having a stable income are all examples. However, my race is the component that contributes the most to my privilege. People of color may find it difficult to avoid the reality of oppression, while white individuals can often overlook this. This is particularly true in America’s health care …show more content…
It is why I never consider if my race will result in me being possibly mistreated by a provider, or if I should avoid receiving treatment due to stereotypes. Typically, society does not assume that everything I do represents all white populations, while minorities may encounter others viewing them as representatives of their race. Furthermore, due to my privilege, there can be a gap in understanding all forms of oppression a patient may endure.
In the article, a form of this repression is the prevention of a patient from receiving a higher end drug due to the provider assuming they, as a minority, cannot afford it. This may seem like a small mistake, but it could result in a patient not receiving the best health care offered. The hospital segregation and defunding of hospitals in black neighborhoods mentioned earlier is anther instance on a larger scale. It is a less acknowledged form of racism that causes minorities to suffer. The combination of microagressions and systematic racism leaves minorities little reason to trust the health care system.
Examining my Feelings about the Article and how Privilege will affect my …show more content…
I reminded myself that the discussion is constructive criticism that will only benefit my patients. However, there is one part of the commentary I did not fully grasp initially. When Hall and Fields mentioned, “Black persons feel pressure to explain racism, or to teach white persons about it; but that is not their responsibility,” I initially questioned why the people who are experiencing racism would not be the ones to best explain it. However, after reflecting, I am aware of the responsibility of those who benefit from the privilege to try and understand the struggles of those who are not in the same position as them. Minorities should not face oppression and then have society expect them to also educate their oppressors. By evaluating the reading and challenging myself to think about privilege, I now have a greater understanding the different dynamics in health care. The article only scratches the surface of oppression; however, it provides an important start to understanding how I can help my patients and change any discriminatory behavior that I may engage in both now and in the