The usual whines and complaints in the 'Guardian' about 'institutional racism' being behind the disparity in maternal deaths by race in the NHS.
And hidden amongst the usual squealing about 'microagressions' (and the usual dodgy stats, discussed at length at Tim's place) is this gem:
I know many great women dedicated to anti-racism who want to be midwives who are quitting because they cannot afford to live on a midwife’s salary.
Frankly, that's a good thing. We need midwives dedicated to one thing, and one thing only. You can't serve two masters, Candice!
As the cost of living continues to rise, it is becoming unaffordable to live on a public sector salary. This cannot continue. We must support Black people into these professions by encouraging equal access to education, and supporting them with a fair and decent wage when they are in the job.
What 'unequal access' does she think they have, then? And how do the white/brown/yellow folks manage?
Getting more Black people into senior roles is fundamental, too.
So they should be promoted regardless of merit?
...seeing more of our own faces in spaces where we are vulnerable would allow us to nip microaggressions and racist behaviours in the bud – and to influence attitudes that have been proven time and time again to harm us.
I can't remember going into a NHS hospital recently and seeing no black faces, can anyone else?
But maybe I'm being too harsh, she's clearly a medical expert or som...
Candice Brathwaite is a journalist and author of I Am Not Your Baby Mother, Sister Sista and Cuts Both Ways.
Ah. 'Activist wants more activists in key roles' is a great subtext, eh?
Once there is the suspicion that any particular race has been given preferential and easier access to the very extensive training that a midwife gets before being let loose on patients - vulnerable women and their very fragile and precious child - then the racism they whinge about will become real. And then will the patient, and family, be told to accept this, or else.... while the Hospital management will go into usual denial mode when things go wrong. As they have in the past. Many times.
ReplyDelete".....many great women...."
ReplyDeleteShouldn't that he "great many women"?
They are complaining they can't live in a midwife's salary, and can earn just as much in Pret a Porte or Starbucks. If so, as long as they don't cause anaphylactic shock in a customer, why don't they get a job in PaP, or even Starbucks?
There's a midwife who lives near me with a 3 bedroomed house,a new Audi every 3 years, and regular visits to her family in the Carribean. The pay can't be all that bad.
Penseivat
"And then will the patient, and family, be told to accept this, or else...."
ReplyDeleteI'm not a betting woman, normally, but I'd have a tenner or two on that!
"If so, as long as they don't cause anaphylactic shock in a customer, why don't they get a job in PaP, or even Starbucks?"
Not enough opportunities to read 'Heat' magazine while ignoring customers?