A seemingly normal day in February 2009, marked the shortest doctor's visit my grandmother has experienced in her nearly 60 years of living. She walked in the office signed in, and in a matter of moments a nurse called her back to a room. After the nurse screened her she left, and my grandmother waited patiently for the doctor. When the doctor entered the room he simply looked at this old, tired looking black woman and said, "I don't treat negro skin, but there is a colored doctor about three hours away that should be able to help you," then he was gone. Now I ask you why should my grandmother, or any person of color for that matter, have to drive three hours to see a colored physician? According to Vijayo Rao and Glenn Flores, African Americans make up nearly 13% of the U.S. population, but we are poorly represented in the medical field (African Americans are only 4.4% of all physicians and surgeons). I believe that some aspects of the American society are indeed diverse, but the medical field still needs another seminar or two on diversity; seeing as though the 4.4% has remained constant for the last 40 years (Rao). African Americans have the ability to make up a higher percentage of the physicians and surgeons of this country. We have proven ourselves worthy to become business owners, lawyers, and even the President of the United States. So what is holding us back from becoming physicians?
Sources: http://www.nmanet.org/images/uploads/Journal/OC986.pdf Vijayo Rao and Glenn Flores
Pictured: James Derham, the first African American to practice medicine.
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