Years ago I did a home visit for a middle school student who cared for her grandmother. When I arrived, she was also caring for her cousin who was 2 years old. Her cousin was missing his hands and feet. At some point, the mother arrived and shared the story of how her son lost his limbs. She shared he was sick, and she went to several er’s and was turned away and accused of abusing her son as his limbs were black and blue. Eventually her son was received at a hospital, and was eventually diagnosed treated for an infection, eventually resulting in the loss of limbs. I always wondered if this mother was taken seriously at the 1st hospital, and her son received the appropriate treatment in a timely manor, would he still have his hands and feet. This experience demonstrated to me people may have a difference experience when seeking medical care based on unconscious biases people have.
Concern: Affordable housing and evictions
Stolen Dreams and Opportunities
When I was in college I wanted to study abroad. I completed my application and submitted all of the necessary papers. However, my advisor did not support my interest and he actually did not provide any information for me to review. My advisor told me that was not a good fit for me and that it was too much for me to handle with my course work. I had to do my own research for opportunities such as exchange student and scholarships. I did not know the process or where to begin, it was really discouraging at 18 years old. My roommate had the same advisor and not only did he encourage her, she was provided informational packets and then shared her excitement with me. Well, guess who announced that she was selected to study abroad the following semester with all expenses paid. My college roommate! The information that she received was not available for everyone and it was totally unfair. Inequity on so many levels. I had a higher GPA than she did, I expressed my interest and she did not but, was chosen! Information was not shared with everyone and the selection was bias! Application process was never shared!
#715
I loved baseball as a kid and one of my earlier memories is of Hank Aaron hitting home run #715 and breaking Babe Ruth’s record. The way everyone in my immediate family huddled around the tv, it seemed like a really important moment, everyone waiting to see if this at bat would be the one. When he hit the ball out of the park, it was so exciting because he accomplished something everyone assumed was impossible. It felt like a really important moment. I found out from my dad that Hank got hate mail and death threats during his chase of the record. I remember thinking – what is wrong with people? Not only is that wrong, it’s so stupid. Who thinks like that? Within a few years I realized I had plenty of aunts, uncles, cousins who did. I still get Obama birther emails from an aunt.