The AMA (American Medical Association) has apologized “for its past history of racial inequality toward African-American physicians.” Hopefully this will put a stop to discriminatory practices that have kept minorities from choosing a medical career and creating health disparities in the African-American population. The National Medical Association, a society created by physicians of African descent, has accepted this apology.
“We commend the AMA for taking this courageous step and coming to grips with a litany of discriminatory practices that have had a devastating effect on the health of African Americans,”
said Nelson L. Adams, MD, NMA’s President. “In fact, the NMA owes its very existence, in part, to these inequities which forced African American physicians to found their own membership organization.” (from NMA apology acceptance)
This dovetails with the recent talks at ALA (American Library Association). I first learned about this from my friend Julian who attended the session and filled us in on Twitter.
Those who attended “An Endangered Species: The Black Male Librarian,” a session at the American Library Association (ALA) annual conference yesteday in Anaheim, might have been shocked to learn that only .5% of all librarians in the United States, or 572 people, are African American males out of a total of 110,000 librarians. The figures came from an ALA diversity report based on 2000 U.S. census figures. (from Library Journal 6/29/2008 )
I’ve heard many scoff at attempts for diversity training in the workplace, grants or scholarships to support minorities, or other such attempts; however, I do hope we continue to try and make up for past mistakes. I’ll admit, many times it’s not done correctly. In fact, I can recall a terrible diversity training event at MPOW. But the point is we continue the discussion and strive for equality. I’m sad to see so many people that don’t understand the level of racism that still exists today. People of all colors are being socialized in schools, workplaces, and churches to be racist. There are formal and informal policies and practices today that promote this way of thinking.
Let’s continue the discussion and examine our own ways of thinking. It would behoove us all to create a more equal society.
7/30/08 Edit: NYT posted an interesting essay yesterday “Apology Shines Light on Racial Schism in Medicine“
