Our complicit role in systemic racism

Arundhati Dhara

Compose eLetter

Title *

Author Information

Contributors
First Name and Middle Initial * First or given name, e.g. 'Peter'. Last Name * Your last, or family, name, e.g. 'MacMoody'. Email Address * Your email address, e.g. higgs-boson@gmail.com Occupation * Your role and/or occupation, e.g. 'Orthopedic Surgeon'. Affiliation * Your organization or institution (if applicable), e.g. 'Royal Free Hospital'.

Statement of Competing Interests

Competing interests? *

Yes

Please describe the competing interests

Vertical Tabs

Jump to comment:

RE: Our complicit role in systemic racism
Adam Newman

Published on: 29 August 2020
RE: Systemic racism
Micah Peters

Published on: 28 August 2020

Published on: (29 August 2020)

RE: Our complicit role in systemic racism
Adam Newman, Family Medicine Addiction Physician, Queen's University DFM
In her thoughtful contribution to the Third Rail column, Dr. Dhara admits that she is "...a little scared about how people will respond to this essay..." As a white, cis-male physician in his 50's, I want to assure Dr. Dhara that some of us, at least, are aware of the privilege we may not have asked for, but have benefitted from nonetheless. This does not prevent me from recognizing the courage it took for her to "pick up the mic", and I personally am grateful that she remains committed to speaking up and advocating for equity and justice within our profession -- which, in the end, will benefit us all. Thank you, and well said!

Competing Interests: None declared.
Published on: (28 August 2020)

RE: Systemic racism
Micah Peters, Family Medicine Resident, NSHA / Dalhousie
Thank you so much for this vulnerable article Dr. Dhara. I am grateful you had the courage to write it. We need your voice now more than ever.

For context, I'm a white, male, family resident in Halifax with a history of burnout. These last couple months have been full of self-reflection for me. What I wasn't yet considering was the largely unacknowledged racism in medicine.

Your article is a great summary of my past subconscious microaggressions. I am listening, learning, and wanting to become a better human beings to other human beings.

Your vulnerable and piercing words, crucial to be said and heard today, give me a little more hope for systemic change, as well as more direction for me to enact change.

I do hope to run into you someday in Halifax.

Competing Interests: None declared.