By Kat Ogle MD and Katja Goldflam MD on behalf of the Academy of Women in Academic Emergency Medicine Recent news and social media have highlighted innumerable examples of White people asking Black friends and colleagues to help them understand their experiences of being marginalized. White folks are asking people of color to teach them what they should be doing to eliminate racism and how they can help. White people are asking for acknowledgement and validation for demonstrating that we are simply trying. We personally recognize these sentiments and acknowledge how much we still have to learn about being anti-racist colleagues and becoming advocates and allies in the elimination of racism from our own little sphere of emergency medicine. We understand how tempting it is to turn to our colleagues of color for solutions. The efforts of academic institutions to enhance diversity and inclusion are well-intentioned, but they often fall short. Some strategies are superficial, even performative. Expecting physicians of color to assume leadership positions that champion diversity and inclusion, often without proper compensation or acknowledgement of their time, may distract from their chosen career trajectories. These assumptions and expectations are inappropriate, unfair, and create undo stress and strain on our colleagues of color. Research acknowledges that intersectionality negatively impacts the careers of academic women of color to a disproportionate degree. Add to that the detrimental effects of microaggressions and implicit biases on personal confidence and opportunities for professional growth and development, and the disproportionate burden on our colleagues of color is further intensified. As academic emergency physicians, we function on a foundation of evidence-based medicine, algorithms
“To move forward as women in academic emergency medicine taking a stand against racism, we must invest in our mission to take personal responsibility for educating ourselves, finding our own resources, in spite of the unease and discomfort we may feel.” and action. On the precipice of our own personal antiracist journey, we too are intimidated and unsure where to start, but we signed on to this career with a commitment to lifelong learning. The systemic problem we are now working to treat is racism. Our self-directed lessons must therefore focus on recognizing racist policies, procedures, actions, and interactions which negatively impact our peers, colleagues, students, and friends. So, what can a couple of cisgender White women do? We are the ones that have the most to learn. We need to revisit decisions we have made, examine interactions we have had, and reevaluate policies we have supported. We need to reflect on the times we sat quietly as bystanders when one or more of our own — particularly women of color — experienced microaggressions, overt racist behavior, or limited professional opportunities. We need to commit to standing by our colleagues when we see racial inequity. To move forward as women in academic emergency medicine taking a stand against racism, we must invest in our mission to take personal responsibility for educating ourselves, finding our own resources, in spite of the unease and discomfort we may feel.
RACISM AS A PUBLIC HEALTH CRISIS
AWAEM and Anti-Racism: A Conversation Starter
We realize we have more questions than answers, but we hope you will join us in considering the ways in which we, as members of SAEM, and women in academic emergency medicine in particular, can be part of building a better, anti-racist infrastructure. We look forward to each of you participating in this discussion and working to develop creative and sustainable solutions.
ABOUT THE AUTHORS Dr. Ogle is an assistant professor and ultrasound fellowship director at the George Washington University Department of Emergency Medicine. She is engaged in undergraduate medical education, graduate medical education, and faculty development. Dr. Ogle is the vice president of education for SAEM’s Academy of Women in Academic Emergency Medicine (AWAEM). @drkittykat Dr. Goldflam is an assistant professor and associate residency director in the department of emergency medicine at Yale University. She is interested in education and wilderness medicine.
About AWAEM The Academy for Women in Academic Emergency Medicine works to promote the recruitment, retention, advancement and leadership of women in academic emergency medicine. Joining AWAEM is free! Just log in to your member profile. Click “My Account” in the upper right navigation bar. Click the “Update (+/-) Academies and Interest Groups” button on the left side. Select the box next to the academy you wish to join. Click “save.”
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