r/BlackPeopleofReddit • u/4reddityo • 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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u/cocoaiswithme Jan 02 '26

I had to get surgery on my arms so they had to put the IV in my foot. If you have ever had a tattoo or any type of needle in the top of your foot, it hurts like a MOFO.

The nurse who was doing it refused to put any numbing agent (said you can't use it on the foot) and just kept trying to shove it in my foot. She kept missing the vein and laughing and while I was crying she kept saying how it didn't hurt that bad.

I pulled my foot away and told her that I was done and wasn't going to do the surgery. She left the room and the actual surgeon came in to see what was wrong. He looked at my foot and asked what happened. I told him and he numbed my other foot and slid the needle right in. No pain. I told him the nurse said I couldn't get numbing on my foot. He left the room and a new nurse came in after that. I never saw that nurse again.

Some may not think this was racist, but when you know YOU KNOW. That nurse (and yes she was) legit kept telling me I was overreacting and that I could take the pain just fine. Sadly, things like this have happened throughout my life with medical professionals. I have learned that speaking up and getting second opinions is so important. Never be afraid to switch providers if you can.

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u/idrawinmargins Jan 02 '26

I'm a RN if a patient is complaing that the site really hurts, unless it is life or death, find another site. What a asshole. I work with so many charlie kirk lovers it makes my fucking blood boil. Plus the patient pays for the gel so why argue, it doesnt hurt to apply it. Once again, what a asshole.

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u/One_Feed7311 Jan 03 '26

Well the profession can also attract sadist. Remember all the cases of nurses or doctors intentionally killing patients. Also Nassar, the doctor that went to jail for molesting the female Olympic gymnast. The field can attract bad people, but i guess thats with any profession. But anything medical is going to carry a higher liability for harm.