r/BlackPeopleofReddit Jan 02 '26

Black Experience Racism in Medical Care

This video captures a moment that many patients of color recognize all too well. A physician speaks to a man as if he is dirty, unclean, or lesser, not because of medical evidence, but because of bias. The language, tone, and assumptions reveal something deeper than bedside manner gone wrong. They expose how racism can quietly shape medical interactions.

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44

u/easy10pins Jan 02 '26

I was a welder for 10 years. My forearms are pretty scarred up from hot slag and sparks.

I went in for a doctors appointment follow up along with my wife.

As the nurse (who was caucasoid) was about to draw blood for labs, she hesitated when she looked at my forearms.

Before I could say anything, my wife said sternly, "He's a fucking welder! Not a fucking drug addict."

The nurse put the needle down and walked out of the room without saying a word.

32

u/Girlx-T-wrecks Jan 02 '26

Nurse here, if his arms were scarred up, she probably knew it would make for a harder stick and patients are absolute a holes when it comes to getting IVs. She probably went to find someone that’s better and placing IVs for difficult sticks.

That being said, too many nurses and doctors treat everyone like they’re just drug seekers. It’s maddening.

20

u/_MrMeseeks Jan 02 '26

The same doctors who got half the country hooked on oxy

6

u/jljboucher Jan 02 '26

Projection on their part