still seething...

I thought by today I would be over it, but I'm not, so you guys get the brunt of my anger filled rant. Sorry.

So I went and saw a new Dr yesterday, trying to find someone better than my current. During the course of the conversation it was raised that Michael is aboriginal. Fair enough, not an issue. Not until she actually said to me, and I quote 'so, you mentioned that your husband is aboriginal, so I have to ask, does he abuse you?'. And not content with my adament, ah NO, she repeated the question, just to make sure.

I'm not sure who is to blame for this attitude. Is it the government who is so hell bent on destroying any last bit of respect that the aboriginal community may have, or is it the media who convince the many that all aboriginal people should be lumped in as one and all considered to be evil. Whatever it is, it is racist, so horribly racist. Imagine how I felt when I had to go home and tell Michael why I was so upset after seeing this Dr. Imagine how HE felt that someone who had never met him would even think that way. Imagine how his mother would feel if she read this, knowing that someone may think that she raised him that way.

I am so angry about this that I can't even begin to formulate my real thoughts. I have so much that I WANT to say about the attitude of people in this country and in this world, but I can't even go there because it wouldn't be fit for reading.

I just plead to those who read this - PLEASE, think before you speak. THINK about what you are saying, what you are assuming, and how your comments may offend others. PLEASE, if you honestly think those things, then say them to yourself, in private where others can't hear you. Perpetuating these racist attitudes is what is destroying the human spirit, and the only way we can break this down is for our children to NEVER hear of such evil thoughts.

Peace to EVERYONE!

K

Comments

[Steph]

OMG thats shocking!! I hope you've made a formal complaint to someone. That crosses the line from caring into ignorance, racism and stupidity.

[SCRAPWITCH]

i feel sad that you think this is the concensus of the general australian public.....
i do not assume the worst of people.
and this optamist hopes that others "especially the so called educated people" would get down off there high horse and use some comman sense and empathy...
how horrifying of that dr to say those words to you dear K ..and micheal..i feel for him ,bigoty and racism is the scerge(sp?) of all evil.i do hope you said something to her k...possibly call the med.ass. to complain..this is completely unacceptable

[Megan and Alex]

With you all the way Kerrin. We seem to be constantly bombarded with messages of how awful a group of people are, whether it's based on race, religion, age, educational background, parental status, weight or anything else. At the end of the day I suppose we can just look at a post like yours, see the response and be relieved.

So as I said, with you all the way. Hoping you and Mik don't hold onto the toxic thoughts of one and instead hold on to the thoughts on this post.
Any chance that you can email a link to this whole post to the doc who spoke such shyte?
M

[liz]

please note that I'm not comparing Indigenous to alcoholics and /or drug addicts in my other post

[Liz]

This is disgusting ...
Do they ask every patient that has an alcoholic spouse/drug addict spouse...so does your husband/wife abuse you..
I think not.

I know a few abused wives...and... the husbands are/were australian / english...This abuse went on for years with out any intervention from anyone...physical and mental abuse...

Some people need to pull their heads in

[hazelblackberry]

Kerrin, I'm so glad that you're back blogging but so sorry that this has happened. Can I just join with others in saying that you should give some thought to making a complaint to the AMA. Best wishes to you & Mik.

[Sue]

i've been blog-surfing for an hour or so and that's how i came upon your blog.

i wanted to send a hug your way... i'm floored that a doctor said that to you. (not that it would be better coming from someone else).

can you report it to someone?

many ((hugs))!

on a happy note, your blog is very cool and creative!

[Deanne]

STUNNED..... I can hardly breathe. I don't even know what to say except tha I'm so sorry this happened to you. Sending happy vibes your way K. Love Deanne

[Michelle G]

HI K!!! So good to see you back!!! Sorry to hear about all the crap you still have to put up with!!! Hugs to you and your family!!!
Take Care babe!!!
Hugs
Michelle xxx

[Alison Shearer]

Assumptions like that are so wrong K - wrong and ignorant - you have every right to be upset and hurt and to complain if you see fit. I can't imagine how Michael must feel! Big hugs to you both.

Alison XXX

[~kathryn~]

this is why stereotyping of any sort is dangerous - you have no idea how angry this shit makes me
i hope you DO make a complaint to the AMA

[Carol-lea]

You have every right to be mad K..very mad!! It makes me so angry that the govt is trying to intervene with problems in outback communities etc...when all it really does is add extra stigma to the aboriginal man...who already has so many wrong perceptions to deal with!! As if the aboriginal community is the only one in Australia that deals with abuse and molestation!!! This doctor should know better! I would be terribley offended K, and completely understand your hurt and anger!! Australia really can't move forward until we rid ourselves of these ugly pre-conceived ideas!!

Hugs to you, and hugs to Micheal, whom I know is a wonderful husband, father and provider!!!!!

[Jodie]

I am so sorry that you had to had to hear that complete unacceptable i myself was raised in Darwin and my bother has married into a very large as they all are aboriginal family. i like eveyone else who has posted a comment are disgusted at such an outrageous comment and yes i do think that it is current government policy that is fueling this renewed public outporing of racisim and i pray and hope that your children my children and all children will not have to ever hear such hurtful and cruel statments. This has made me very angry and it didn't happen to me all my love to your family.

[~shazz~]

sending you a great big cyberhug although i know it won't help your feelings of anger and injustice kerrin.
i would be writing to the AMA if i were you and mik and complaining bitterly about your treatment.
hoping today brings you some sunshine (or rain if you need it).
take care kerrin xxoo

[Brigitte]

OMG !! Kkkkk ! how appalling is this !!
i agree , you should definitely write a letter to that doctor !! this type of comment shouldn't be even mention specially from a doctor !!!

[alisonj]

OMG!! I can't believe the ignorance of some people, especially coming from someone who is meant to be quite intelligent! A doctor!! You and Mik SHOULD be angry!!!
:)

[PROLIX from la Normandie]

bonjour!

PROLIX

{ThE fReNcH tOuCh}
http://prolix.typepad.fr/le_petit_scraperon_jaune_/bienvenue.html

RESUME :
http://www.scrapbookresumes.com/AudreyProlix/index.html

[MissMeshell]

I am speechless, I really am.

[Susan (smiles1965) from Scrapboxx]

There are too many presumtions in this day and age and I agree it is very wrong and can cause a lot of hurt and damage.

My husband has a certain health disorder and many people presume certain things about him and his capabilities. It happens all too often and it is part of discrimination. It makes me annoyed as well.

I hope you find something to brighten up the rest of your week end. Sending some positive vibes your way and a big friendly hug xxoo

[kirsty]

Unbelievable. I hardly know what to say. You and Michael have every right to be very angry.

[Allie Collyer]

OMG K I can't believe it! I would be seething too, that is just so wrong on so many levels that if it were me I would be doing something about it. A letter at least to her to let her know how appalling her comments were.

Sending a hug to you

Allie

[Ange Warren]

K, I am absolutely and positively mortified that someone who obviously has some sort of intelligence could be so stupid. Guess it goes to show that years of studying medicine doesn't make you a smart person. It's things like this that make me so adamant that my girls grow up in an environment that teaches tolerance and respect for everyone, regardless of their ethinicity, sex or colour of their skin.
Ange xx

[Marie Noske]

One expects a bit more than that from someone in a professional position like a doctor. That was an extremely racist comment. I don't blame you for being angry. I'm sure you won't go back to that doctor. Wouldn't it be nice if we could just treat every race with respect?

[KellieC]

I was horrified to read this Kerrin! How could someone be so rude and so hurtful. I agree with you that people don't think before they speak sometimes, and it can be innocent, but sometimes it is just plain thoughtlessness!

I hope you find a NICE new Dr who isn't so ignorant.

[Shirley Fyfe]

I can't begin to imagine why someone in such a prominent position in our society would say such a racist, uncaring comment as she did K! You have every right to feel the way you do . . . and to take further action on this matter if you want to. That is so very unfair!