“Never trust anyone who says they do not see color.
This means to them, you are invisible.”
― Nayyirah Waheed
— Discussion with an 85-year-old retired maintenance supervisor —
As I walk into the exam room greeting my patient, I ask how he is. I rapidly realize this is not going to be my typical medical history update or examination. My patient is a formidable man, even into his 80s’, but possesses a soft, refined nature about him. He has been my patient for the last 8+ years, and politics has always been a talking point for us. “Oh, not good, not good. I’m scared”. He says shaking his head while sitting in my big exam chair. I sit down quietly ready to listen.
“This man is no good, and he is not going to change.” I smiled, agreed, and let him know it is still good to talk politics here in my office. “I remember what is was like when black and white people hated each other.” He says shaking his head again. So we talked. We talk about what is was like growing up as a young black man up North, then moving to the South with his family. We talked about the racism; that he thought people were on track to overcome it, but now Trump has ignited a set-back. We wandered through a discussion about Trump’s lacking nature to be a positive role model for children. His cyberbullying towards those speaking against him. His disdain for things he cannot have, such as actual facts: popular vote, poor inaugural attendance, post-elections protests, etc. We laughed that ignoring facts does not change them.
We talked throughout his treatment, and when we finished and said our goodbyes, he came full circle, “Oh, not good, not good” he trailed off shaking his head as he walked down the hall. He turned back with a deep smile and said, “Thank you, ma’am, see you in 2 months.” I smiled looking forward to our next chat.
“Prejudice is learned. What will you teach others through your actions and words?”
― DaShanne Stokes
