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Had a doctor’s appointment yesterday, the same doctor I’ve seen for most of my life. She asked me what I was upto and I mentioned Indigenous X. She then asked me what my opinion was on ‘Solving Australia’ and what we should do.
I mentioned education but really didn’t want to get into it. Of course the second I entertained the conversation she continued.
After telling me her ideas for change she said that she grew up with Aboriginal people. She went holidaying with them, she was neighbour to them, she played with them.
She also told me her parents were very non-racist and didn’t have a racist bone in their body.
While she didn’t say anything outright offensive, it did make me feel uncomfortable.
All I could think about is how this wouldn’t happen to a white person and that there is privilege in being able to attend a doctor’s appointment and it being purely about health.
All I could think about is how this wouldn’t happen to a white person and that there is privilege in being able to attend a doctor’s appointment and it being purely about health.
Additionally, it’s not exactly like I could just remove myself from that conversation- I couldn’t just up and leave and I couldn’t have an attitude because at the end of the day, I was seeking help from this woman.
There was an absolute imbalance of power and I felt it.
There was an absolute imbalance of power and I felt it.
In conclusion, if you don’t know what to do and you feel you must speak to a Bla(c)k person about your feelings, your past or you opinions, don’t do it in an uncomfortable or unprofessional setting.
Also feel free to use google or read from the multitude of voices and writers out there actually covering this stuff rather than a patient.
