We need to publicize racially charged incidents every time they hap-
pen. How else will people see what's going on? How else will we talk
about the problems and find solutions? It's incredibly important to
discuss the problem of racism in health care.
I think we've reached a tipping point. If you look at the data being
cited, a higher percentage of people than ever support Black Lives
Matter. The movement, and what people are fighting for, applies to
everyone. Activism against racism shouldn't be separated by minority
racial differences. Everyone should be in this together.
Lucy Li, MD
Resident Anesthesiologist
Massachusetts General Hospital
Boston, Mass.
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Why do you need to worry about struc-
tural racism in surgery? It's a fair ques-
tion, especially if you've never faced or
had to deal with overt prejudice or racial
bigotry. I challenge you to step back and
accept that all institutions, including
health care, are built on policies and
practices that exclude certain people. If
you've never been on the receiving end
of racism, you aren't going to see it — at
least not as clearly as someone who has.
I think Presidential Medal of Freedom recipient and NBA all-
time leading scorer Kareem Abdul-Jabbar may have explained it
GROWTH OPPORTUNITY
Racial Incident Prompts Widespread Support
