[answered]
Started by peachesandoranges
I would avoid talking about it altogether
I think it’s fine; alternatively, you could use a generic phrase such as “racial slur”.
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D
deleted1122679
I believe the answer to this is dependent on a combination of the context in which it is used and your abilities as a writer. Could be powerful, but also could offend someone. Go for it if you are confident, but it could potentially rub someone the wrong way. I agree with the poster above that substituting it with “racial slur” could be a potential alternative.
You got called a name and that is the focus of your essay about becoming a physician?
... Please..
Focus on your desire to become a physician, it will be better received.
... Please..
Focus on your desire to become a physician, it will be better received.
The essay question literally asked about their experience as a minority…
I'm a minority too, but we're already overrepresented in medicine, lol.
My point was: Use being "the other" for something powerful and positive: discrimination and being the first in my family etc...
Not, "I got called a bad name and that's why I want to be"
Just sayin'. I understand that those kind of slurs are.. frankly.. invitations to violence. Some folks just need a paddlin'. But they aren't what make us take the path to becoming a physician.
My point was: Use being "the other" for something powerful and positive: discrimination and being the first in my family etc...
Not, "I got called a bad name and that's why I want to be"
Just sayin'. I understand that those kind of slurs are.. frankly.. invitations to violence. Some folks just need a paddlin'. But they aren't what make us take the path to becoming a physician.
Questions like this come up now and then and can be found with the search feature. This is one thread from last year's cycle:
forums.studentdoctor.net
Is it okay to use a racial slur when quoting someone in my secondary application?
Basically, the question asks about a time I witnessed harassment or discrimination. I witnessed a customer call my manager a racial slur at a store I worked at. Would it be okay to include this derogatory term in my story? Or should I try to paraphrase the word?
forums.studentdoctor.net
Yes, we discussed this last year.
I would not quote hate speech terms. Treat secondary essays like written interviews. If you wouldn't say it to an interviewer, don't write it "for effect." I agree with @sirspamalot 's suggestion to find a more positive perspective of being "the other," especially in creating an affirming community or culture.
I would not quote hate speech terms. Treat secondary essays like written interviews. If you wouldn't say it to an interviewer, don't write it "for effect." I agree with @sirspamalot 's suggestion to find a more positive perspective of being "the other," especially in creating an affirming community or culture.
I'm definitely not saying that my desire to be a physician stems from this experience, just that it did expand my perspective. Keeping my answer vague here intentionally. I also recognize I am ORM, and I note this.
