Dr. Arrogant

BY: KATHY MCDONALD 

I am sitting in the emergency room at Brampton Civic writing this article. To those that don’t really know me, the irony will be lost on you. Firstly, I vowed I would never seek treatment at this facility after I was both physically and verbally assaulted by a nurse at this institution some 21 years ago. Well, I know that this site is relatively new but in my mind the staff all moved to this location, so for all intent and purpose it remained the same. The second reason is that I noticed a huge disparity in how different patients of different racial and ethnic identities were treated. Being on the “different” side of the equation I never felt welcomed by this institution. Fast forward a few years it’s deja vu, nothing appeared to change at this institution in my opinion. However, having just this week attended an exhilarating Black History Celebration at the UHN (United Health Network) where its President and CEO, Dr. Kevin Smith convincingly stated his commitment to eliminating anti-black racism, I have to be hopeful that real systemic change is on the way .

While most of the staff treated us with dignity and respect, I had the unfortunate experience of meeting an emergency room physician that was not only disrespectful and demeaning to most people of color but saw nothing wrong with dropping the F-bomb quite freely as he went about doing his business as usual. I only assume being a doctor no one dared to do anything about it. I know I did not as I did not want him harming my child. The fact that people in authority find it ok to perpetuate stereotypes and go around oblivious to the degrading effects of such stereotypes behooves me. So, Dr. Arrogant says, as my son is obviously nervous and squeamish about getting an IV.  “Don’t worry, you’re ok, Philippines are the best at needles, in fact, they are the best at everything…. HAHAHA”. “No!! Jackass. Don’t you say this crap to my son and perpetuate such stupidity “my uncle is the best anesthesiologist around”. That’s my retort in my mind. If I was the one getting the IV, I would have verbalized my thoughts, but I was not willing to risk my baby boy’s health.

So just like that, the crushing reality of life as a black person in Brampton, in the Region of Peel, in Ontario, in Canada in North America, in fact in the whole wide world. Only a few days ago I emceed a really uplifting culminating celebration at Brampton City Hall and felt that true meaningful change is making its way to the city. During the month of February, I attended numerous celebrations across the Peel District School Board (PDSB) and noticed significant progress in the way Black History was being depicted. I even rejoiced at every small hint of progress. Unfortunately, however,  I am starkly aware that one cannot take for granted even the slightest perceptions of progress or progress that is achieved because there is always the Dr. Agorrants of this world, waiting in the wings, ready to remind our children that as a society they are often viewed as less than or that they are somehow inferior and cannot and will not ever measure up.

After hearing Dr. Smith’s address, I hope that no one will ever have to experience what I did some 20 years ago at the Toronto General Hospital as a nurse snapped at my gynecologist Dr. Lanval Daly and rebuffed me for having more than two visitors in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). To make a very long story short. When I gave birth to my first pride and joy I had an emergency C-section and my firstborn, with an Apgar reading of 2 was fighting to live, I was allowed to visit anytime in the NICU but only allowed one visitor (my husband was counted as a visitor). So, when the NICU nurse saw my black gynecologist, my husband and myself at my newborn’s cot that’s when she told Dr. Daly to “Get out!.” then turned to me and said, “Don’t you know you’re only allowed, one visitor?” Needless to say, Dr. Daly with his charming and debonaire self-put that nurse in her place without even ruffling any of his feathers. Unfortunately for him, such interactions were not uncommon. Some may say the nurse simply lacked any bedside manner or others may say she was oblivious to the fact that black doctors do exist, and they don’t count as visitors. They are staff too just like she was. I say it is both. Well, we as a society have a lot of work to do. How would the amazing and hard-working black nurse on the floor feel when being exposed to such comments. 

Members of the wonderful African, Black and Caribbean community we must not rest on our laurels. It is imperative that we seize each and every opportunity to nip any form of anti-black racism in the bud. Rest assured I will not leave Dr. Arrogant’s comment unchallenged. I have chosen to remain silent as at this moment my son is receiving his meds and life-saving medications. He had an allergic reaction to Courtney Guy, the People’s Choice Winner’s amazing walnut salad. Who knew that he was allergic to walnuts? Now we know!

So, to all people who think our work is done and we can sit back. I caution you. WE CANNOT REST. There is so much work to do. This work is too big to be done by one or two persons we all need to participate. Participants must include you who think; well I am fine, my kids are doing well, I am a good parent, it’s the problem of the kids with bad parents, it’s a single mother problem, I am educated, I am not poor and any other starta of the community that think it does not affect them. As Martin Luther King Jr. said “An injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere….. Whatever affects one directly, affects all indirectly”. So, journey with me and let no kid, no student and no member of the community be left behind. Walk Good! Belle Marché.