There's this trend on social media, where young Americans say how old they were when they had their first Black teacher. Some of the answers are really sad to read.

Growing up in a majority Black nation, it was normal that all the professionals were Black, for me.

Thread cont..

When I moved to the states, we moved to Newark, a Black majority city. Thankfully I was surrounded by Black professionals & mentors.

However, this isn't the case for most Americans. Which is why representation is so important. Not just for minority children, but for everyone.

So many White AND Black Americans have never had a Black teacher, doctor, lawyer, judge, etc...only seen them in menial low-paying jobs; which forms a certain bias.

If you never see the Black professional, how do you know they exist? How does a Black child know they can do that?

There are so many success stories of poor Black Americans coming from the bottom and making it to the top of their respective fields.

However, the ones we hear & see the most are athletes & rappers. Nothing wrong with being an athlete, but that isn't the end-all of Blackness.

While Barack Obama was a HUGE step forward, we see today the ten steps we took backwards. The resistance to change and inclusion, the resistance to uplifting & celebrating different cultures.

If you've never interacted with a Black person, your only opinion is from pop culture.

It shouldn't be shocking to White patients when their doctor is Black. It shouldn't be shocking to White parents when their child's educators are Black. Normalize having Black professionals, whom you trust. Too many stories of White folks shocked that a Black person is competent.

I'm very cognizant that where I live currently, I'm probably the first Black doctor these patients have had. I'm professional at all times, as is expected, but also genuine self. Our interaction could impact their future decisions to pursue Black professionals in other sectors.

Recap: increase the visibility and accessibility of Black professionals in ALL communities. This helps inspire your minorities, and also helps build trust between racial/ethnic lines; which are lacking today.
Thank you for coming to my TED talk.

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#Blackmeninmedicine

*young minorities