Comments on: Poison Phrase: Diploma from the Philippines http://www.speakstrong.com/newsletter/2007/10/07/poison-phrase-diploma-from-the-filipines/ By Meryl Runion and SpeakStrong, Inc. Fri, 05 Sep 2008 08:38:23 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.1 By: Cynthia Mueller http://www.speakstrong.com/newsletter/2007/10/07/poison-phrase-diploma-from-the-filipines/#comment-3933 Cynthia Mueller Thu, 18 Oct 2007 22:13:38 +0000 http://www.speakstrong.com/newsletter/2007/10/07/poison-phrase-diploma-from-the-filipines/#comment-3933 I have to admit that the comment about the Filipino doctors would have gotten right past me, too. I think my impression of foreign doctors comes from stories about people who couldn't get into a US medical school would go to "the islands" and get their diploma. Wasn't Grenada famous for this practice? I guess it's not practical to assume that all doctors should have Harvard diplomas hanging on the wall. But then, is it not a stereotype to assume that all Harvard Medical School graduates will be fabulous doctors? I like to be informed about my doctor's credentials before I surrender my clothing and my dignity. I have to admit that the comment about the Filipino doctors would have gotten right past me, too. I think my impression of foreign doctors comes from stories about people who couldn’t get into a US medical school would go to “the islands” and get their diploma. Wasn’t Grenada famous for this practice?

I guess it’s not practical to assume that all doctors should have Harvard diplomas hanging on the wall. But then, is it not a stereotype to assume that all Harvard Medical School graduates will be fabulous doctors?

I like to be informed about my doctor’s credentials before I surrender my clothing and my dignity.

]]> By: merylrunion http://www.speakstrong.com/newsletter/2007/10/07/poison-phrase-diploma-from-the-filipines/#comment-3430 merylrunion Fri, 12 Oct 2007 18:26:21 +0000 http://www.speakstrong.com/newsletter/2007/10/07/poison-phrase-diploma-from-the-filipines/#comment-3430 The problem with portraying ignorance and racism can be that people might not realize that's what is going on. I believed for a while that there was a problem with Filipino docs. The ensuing controversy was illuminating to me, but had I missed that, I might not realize they are qualified. I'm not big on moralizing, and I think those who practice it create resistance. But I do think the truth needs to be told when prejudices are portrayed in a way that might been taken as fact. In the old show All in the Family, Archie clearly was shown as a prejudiced, but in this case it's not so clear her opinon doesn't reflect reality. The problem with portraying ignorance and racism can be that people might not realize that’s what is going on. I believed for a while that there was a problem with Filipino docs. The ensuing controversy was illuminating to me, but had I missed that, I might not realize they are qualified.

I’m not big on moralizing, and I think those who practice it create resistance. But I do think the truth needs to be told when prejudices are portrayed in a way that might been taken as fact.

In the old show All in the Family, Archie clearly was shown as a prejudiced, but in this case it’s not so clear her opinon doesn’t reflect reality.

]]> By: Nick Gill http://www.speakstrong.com/newsletter/2007/10/07/poison-phrase-diploma-from-the-filipines/#comment-3223 Nick Gill Tue, 09 Oct 2007 18:35:14 +0000 http://www.speakstrong.com/newsletter/2007/10/07/poison-phrase-diploma-from-the-filipines/#comment-3223 I am a Christian and I celebrate diversity and I want everyone to know that the gospel of Jesus Christ tears down all social barriers. How will drama ever offer anything to discuss if it is not allowed to accurately portray ignorance, racism, etc. without accompanying such a portrayal with heavy-handed moralizing? Why shouldn't a patient want to examine a doctor's credentials? Respectfully, Nick Gill Frankfort, KY I am a Christian and I celebrate diversity and I want everyone to know that the gospel of Jesus Christ tears down all social barriers.

How will drama ever offer anything to discuss if it is not allowed to accurately portray ignorance, racism, etc. without accompanying such a portrayal with heavy-handed moralizing?

Why shouldn’t a patient want to examine a doctor’s credentials?

Respectfully,
Nick Gill
Frankfort, KY

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