It was a he, not a she, and I suspect that it wasn't merely about walking the walk, but not being a good interviewer as well.
need a link but yah i sincerely doubt it had anything to do with being native american. and also if """"""they""""" were going to do """""this""""" to minority A they'd do it to minority B too.
Speaking as a Native from the East, it's not so much sensitivity as it is an annoyance and sometimes inappropriate. Oftentimes when people find out you're indigenous, you become the Spokesperson for all things Native America for them, and it becomes exhausting. I spent an hour on standby at a recreation center during an EMT shift the other day fielding questions for an older gentleman waiting for the pool. After the first half-hour, it became intrusive and inappropriate to ask a complete stranger (and I would have requested he stop asking questions, but I didn't want to be mean to this older gentleman, although it was in my right to request he stop asking me about Lincoln's massacre in 1862).
Sorta like being a member of any group. Same thing happens to me as a DO. There are some people who out of curiosity innocently ignore and invade boundaries. You just need to then take control of the conversation and redirect the topic.
Sorry, but I don't think you're really understanding if you're comparing our situations. I agree that taking control of a conversation is necessary.
I personally don't see how such questions are 'inappropriate'. I've been questioned about my ethnic background many, many times and find it an enjoyable way to have discussions with strangers. People are often curious about stuff that is different than their own experience. A lot of this comes from seeing race as a touchy issue; I do not see it in that way at all (I know I am in the minority here) and see discussions around my race, culture and religion to be perfectly fine. Much like if someone I meet grew up in, say, Nova Scotia...I might spend a good while asking them all kinds of stuff about what that experience is/was like. I think if you assume a discussion about race is a negative, or is discriminatory, you will see any conversation or question like this to be offensive. I try to draw a line between harmless curiosity, or someone learning about my background, vs genuine 'racism' or 'discrimination'. They are not the same.
It's similar, being a DO is like being any minority. People may not know much about your backround or life experiences.An interview is about getting to know you. Your ethnicity or race could be part of it, but would basically be in regards to your personal statement. I have little interest in rehashing history. I want to know if I would want you for my doctor. Can you connect with people?Do you project warmth? Can you discuss issues calmly even if I disagree with you? Can you think on your feet and provide authentic answers? This is what I look for in an interview. I have been a DO for many years. When I finished DOs were pretty rare in my area. Patients would say,, DO, Whats That??I would explain and often got this response....Gee, that's almost like being a Doctor..I always saw an opportunity to educate on what a DO was rather than get annoyed at someone's lack of knowledge. Your backround is unique and makes you special in many ways. Remember, Doctor is Latin for Teacher.
No sir, you do not understand what being a minority is like because you are a DO.
Right but see I didn't ever ask for your advice, you said you didn't understand the sensitivity so I clarified it for you.
Just have a short reply about how you are affiliated with your tribe and what it means to you.
