So now that I'm well into week 2 I will say that yes I have dived head first into my classes. Quick somebody grab some wood and knock on it because right now I'm actually caught up. This term I decided to go with a different schedule. I take each day of the week and devote it to a particular class. So for instance today I'm working on Women's Health in advance of taking the first exam tomorrow and then tomorrow I'll work on another class. Is it helping my procrastination? Some. I guess my grades will show how this schedule works out for me. In addition to taking women's health, I'm also exploring the business of side of birth in my market research class. I'm hoping to reach some of our closed minded community members through some birth surveys and education. I feel like if I'm going to practice in this area I need the support of everyone- physicians, nurse practitioners, and hospital CEO's in addition to the women and their families. And lastly I have intrapartum. I ordered my pelvis model and fetal head today after unsuccessfully attempting to draw my own version yesterday. I actually am looking forward to going deeper into this class because I'm fascinated at the things that go on in labor that you can only see and recognize as a provider. I'm secretly hoping that the enthusiasm will translate into an "A" in this class since it counts for 4 credit hours.
Anyway, for now I'm good and I'm counting down to my first cruise in 20 years, my 30th birthday (fast approaching in less than a month), and finally making it to the famed AABC birth center conference. Thank you to all who continue to read and watch me grow into this new life. XOXO
Thursday, April 19, 2012
Monday, April 2, 2012
It's a sad, sad world
Going to veer off the topic of midwifery for a minute and write about something that is on my mind tonight. Over the past few weeks there have been many conversations about racism-some say it still exists and others say not so much. I can't tell you what it means to be white, hispanic, asian, native american, or any other ethnicity in this world. All I can speak from is what it means to be a black woman. And don't get me wrong, racism is a two way street. Because yes there are blacks who discriminate and spew hate towards whites and hispanics. But from my vantage point, I can tell you that racism is alive and well.
Last year, when I announced that I was going back to school to fulfill my dream of becoming a midwife, most everyone was super supportive. But one person in particular asked me "Why would you want to do that? Black people don't do that". What is the appropriate response to such an ignorant statement? It took me back to a comment a teacher made to me in high school. She told me that it was only because of my color that I got into the college I did because I was black. It couldn't have been my 3.7 GPA or my extensive community service background, or work ethic, but because of my skin color. It shouldn't surprise me-but all the same it was still shocking and hurtful. I was raised to not see color. I've heard the stories from my mom and others about growing up during the civil rights movement. But we were taught those stories not to hate but to learn from the past and continue to move forward to equality. So what happened? Why is it that in 2012 these stereotypes and racial disparities still exist? How can I teach my son to go beyond color and see a person for who they are when a friend stated tonight that the way I vote must be based on the color of skin? If things are supposed to be so much better then why are things like that still said about someone of color?
Lots of questions with no easy answers.
I can't describe how deeply troubling and how sad it makes me that no matter how hard I work, or how much I achieve there are some who will never be able to see past my skin tone.
Last year, when I announced that I was going back to school to fulfill my dream of becoming a midwife, most everyone was super supportive. But one person in particular asked me "Why would you want to do that? Black people don't do that". What is the appropriate response to such an ignorant statement? It took me back to a comment a teacher made to me in high school. She told me that it was only because of my color that I got into the college I did because I was black. It couldn't have been my 3.7 GPA or my extensive community service background, or work ethic, but because of my skin color. It shouldn't surprise me-but all the same it was still shocking and hurtful. I was raised to not see color. I've heard the stories from my mom and others about growing up during the civil rights movement. But we were taught those stories not to hate but to learn from the past and continue to move forward to equality. So what happened? Why is it that in 2012 these stereotypes and racial disparities still exist? How can I teach my son to go beyond color and see a person for who they are when a friend stated tonight that the way I vote must be based on the color of skin? If things are supposed to be so much better then why are things like that still said about someone of color?
Lots of questions with no easy answers.
I can't describe how deeply troubling and how sad it makes me that no matter how hard I work, or how much I achieve there are some who will never be able to see past my skin tone.
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)