Recently, I was assigned a new psychiatrist. My former psychiatrist had asked if I would prefer my new one to be Asian or white; I said Asian. Even so, I ended up with a white woman who asked me to explain (read: prove) to her how race has affected my life. As if racialization could possibly not have been a determining factor in the whole of my life experiences, let alone my mental health. I was taken aback by the absurdity and ignorance of this question coming from a healthcare provider who has undoubtedly worked with many students of color in the past.
Abby Wang, she/her/hers, 2021, BF
