Podiatry And Racism/ Good Old Boys Club?

[TwoToeTommy]

Here is a recent article detailing race racial problems at Barry university.I've heard of other schools such as ohio having race problems too. Does podiatry have problems with racism? I've also heard from medical doctors and podiatrists alike, that podiatry is a good old boys club where some schools and residencies have relatives of the school president or program director of the and faculty members family going to the college for almost free and even getting some of the best grades and getting residencies run by their parents! I was thinking of podiatry but after hearing these things, I thought I'd better check out the validity of these claims, because if they are true, I am not sure what to think of it all. If true it seems like a major ethical problem for the profession and an impediment on it's growth. http://www.miaminewtimes.com/2009-05-07/news/racial-tension-rises-at-barry/

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[PADPM]

I can not comment on the racism incident(s) at the Barry school or any alleged incident(s) or attitude at the Ohio school, but I can emphatically state that in 23 years of practice, I have NEVER encountered or witnessed any events of racism among any of my colleagues either directly or indirectly.

I have been involved with training students and residents, I have been politically involved with the APMA (American Podiatric Medical Association) on various levels and I have been involved with the American Board of Podiatric Surgery, including examining candidates for the certification exam.

I have sat on residency interview committees, hospital staff/credentialing committees and insurance credentialing committees and have NEVER even heard the slightest "joke" or off-color remark involving a racist comment.

So, I don't know where you've received your information, but considering the amount of exposure I've had in our profession and the years I've been involved, I can assure you that racism is not prevalent in this profession, and is something I have actually NEVER witnessed, nor would I have tolerated it if I had witnessed it's ugliness.

If those incidents at Barry did occur, you have many other schools that can offer you an equal if not better education.

Ironically, one of the most respected doctors in our profession, Dr. Larry Harkless is African-American, and has trained some of the best and brightest. He has been a leader in our profession as a residency director, author, teacher, lecturer, etc., and is now heading one of the new schools, so this certainly does not lend itself to racism.

As far as nepitism or faculty members having relatives go to school at reduced costs or residency directors having children getting that program.....welcome to reality.

That type of "politics" is certainly not unique to podiatry, but can occur and does occur in every profession on earth. I can count on one hand how many of those incidents really occur with residency programs annually. There are so many programs in existence that I wouldn't be too concerned if Dr. XYZ is saving a spot for his son if he is the director.

If you are interested in the profession, move ahead and follow your dream and don't let any of this garbage and/or hearsay become an excuse. People have overcome bigger obstacles, and in this case, the perceived obstacle doesn't even exist.

 

[hyperpodia]

Here is a recent article detailing race racial problems at Barry university.I've heard of other schools such as ohio having race problems too. Does podiatry have problems with racism? I've also heard from medical doctors and podiatrists alike, that podiatry is a good old boys club where some schools and residencies have relatives of the school president or program director of the and faculty members family going to the college for almost free and even getting some of the best grades and getting residencies run by their parents! I was thinking of podiatry but after hearing these things, I thought I'd better check out the validity of these claims, because if they are true, I am not sure what to think of it all. If true it seems like a major ethical problem for the profession and an impediment on it's growth. http://www.miaminewtimes.com/2009-05-07/news/racial-tension-rises-at-barry/

This is a very sensitive issue, I feel like I am walking on thin ice by responding
The article seems to mention issues with Barry U, and not Podiatry in general. I don't think it is fair to blame the entire profession based on one school

These days, the number of black employees in positions of power is small. Less than 6 percent of Barry professors are black, according to statistics provided by the university. A school spokesperson says about 13 percent of non-faculty employees in leadership roles are black. And there is no record of the school ever hiring a black head of a department.

If the truth be told, this could be said of the majority of the Universities in the US , you are not going to find many Deans, head of a deparment who are not white unless it is an HBCU (there are exceptions)

Thats why Obama just selected a hispanic to fill the justice position



There are many good reasons to pursue a career in Podiatry,
If you are so worried about your race, you are screwed, because people will always judge you from the outside.
I have learned in life, that you can't judge a book by its cover, and statistics do not lie, people do.

 

[NatCh]

Of course there's racism within the profession, but it has less to do with the profession than it does with society as a whole. Nowhere during the application process do I recall reading the question, "Are you racist? []yes []no. If you checked the box marked 'yes,' then please leave."

Any person of a minority group can probably recall being subjected to racism at least a few times in his or her life, and it rarely enters the room heralded by a marching band, flashing lights, and banners. Yes, I've seen it first-hand. Yes, I'm a minority.

Bottom line: If you want to pursue the profession then don't let racism be your excuse for why you didn't go after it. You're going to find it anywhere, regardless of your line of work. I don't think it is any more endemic to Podiatry than it is to America.

 

[smartman716]

I am African-American! If you are a minority
, I encourage you to join the profession. I can say confidently that never for once has my race been an issue in my journey to become a DPM. Yes there is racism and sometimes it is subtle but you cannot let it define you.In my journey, I have been guided and helped by DPMs that were not of my race and those that were.

 

[spo01]

There will ALWAYS be racism. Anywhere and everywhere, and unfortunately it will never completely disappear.
As a minority at Barry (I'm white) even I face racism here and there. But I'm not going to play the race card here and be the victim...

Barry doesn't have any gay podiatry faculty or Atheist teachers either, I think they discriminate against them too! Quick, call Perez Hilton. *sarcasm*

It was an unfortunate incident that man had to witness, but I think it's wrong how they would single out podiatry/Barry in this issue. These things happen, don't let it be represenative of the school. That article clearly reflects the 'white man dominates here at Barry' when that is a crock of ****. The school is more friendly and open to diversity than any place I've ever been. My only complaint is yes there is a seperation of cliques that is quite annoying (blacks hang with blacks, spanish with spanish, asians with asians, mormons with mormons, etc).

 

[shava9865]

There will ALWAYS be racism. Anywhere and everywhere, and unfortunately it will never completely disappear.
As a minority at Barry (I'm white) even I face racism here and there. But I'm not going to play the race card here and be the victim...

Barry doesn't have any gay podiatry faculty or Atheist teachers either, I think they discriminate against them too! Quick, call Perez Hilton. *sarcasm*

It was an unfortunate incident that man had to witness, but I think it's wrong how they would single out podiatry/Barry in this issue. These things happen, don't let it be represenative of the school. That article clearly reflects the 'white man dominates here at Barry' when that is a crock of ****. The school is more friendly and open to diversity than any place I've ever been. My only complaint is yes there is a seperation of cliques that is quite annoying (blacks hang with blacks, spanish with spanish, asians with asians, mormons with mormons, etc).

The separation of cliques is going to happen anywhere you go. Naturally, people are going to associate more with "their own" especially if they are in a predominately white institution. I agree with this statement because more than likely other indiviuals are being discriminated against, too...Barry was founded as Catholic university...I think we all know how that goes. This problem will always exist, it's up yo you how you choose to overcome the obstacle!

 

[JEWmongous]

The separation of cliques is going to happen anywhere you go. Naturally, people are going to associate more with "their own" especially if they are in a predominately white institution. I agree with this statement because more than likely other indiviuals are being discriminated against, too...Barry was founded as Catholic university...I think we all know how that goes. This problem will always exist, it's up yo you how you choose to overcome the obstacle!

I thought Barry was a minority-majority school (for students, not faculty). I am pretty sure it was ranked the most diverse university of the south.

Have you ever visited before?

 

[phillypd]

ok my .02 (which means nothing)

whether we want to admit it or not...we all have a bit of hiden racism in us..although not out in the open. Every profession has some obsticles depending on who you are. whether it is because of race, gender, religion, it's there. I am surprised that anyone would be surprised by this!!!!!! whether DPM, MD, DO, OD, police, fireman, shirt presser, housekeeper, etc there is always going to be someone in some field that has a problem with you. everyone here has made some sort of silly remark about someone of another race, whether it was with your friends or by yourself.
As far as preference goes, that goes without saying...if you have friends in high places that can hook you up with something...you'd be a fool not to utilize them... all my med school interviews MD and DO was pushed by some friend i had.....if i had not had a friend looking out for my best interest i may have not gotten a interview at all....THAT'S THE REALITY

 

[shava9865]

ok my .02 (which means nothing)

whether we want to admit it or not...we all have a bit of hiden racism in us..although not out in the open. Every profession has some obsticles depending on who you are. whether it is because of race, gender, religion, it's there. I am surprised that anyone would be surprised by this!!!!!! whether DPM, MD, DO, OD, police, fireman, shirt presser, housekeeper, etc there is always going to be someone in some field that has a problem with you. everyone here has made some sort of silly remark about someone of another race, whether it was with your friends or by yourself.
As far as preference goes, that goes without saying...if you have friends in high places that can hook you up with something...you'd be a fool not to utilize them... all my med school interviews MD and DO was pushed by some friend i had.....if i had not had a friend looking out for my best interest i may have not gotten a interview at all....THAT'S THE REALITY

True that!

 

[Feli]

FYI to the OP, Miami New Times is a free paper given away in the metro area; most of the stories are on local entertainment, nightlife, arts, celebs, scandal, etc (as you will see on the main page of their website). The Miami Heald or South Florida Sun Sentinel are the more respected and longstanding local newspapers in southeast Florida, and they have pay subscriptions with generally more serious story topics. I'm not saying that a credible and good news story couldn't come from a free entertainment periodical, but Miami New Times is not exactly in the class of the NY Times, Boston Globe, or Philadelphia Inquirer if you catch my drift. New Times routinely produces stories which intend to "stir the pot"...
http://blogs.miaminewtimes.com/riptide/2009/05/black_vs_white_-_miami_remains.php

...I would agree with previous responses that say that you'll unfortunately find racism, nepotism, sexism, etc anywhere you go (and you will also probably find ppl looking to falsely use those allegations for their own gains, blackmail, lawsuits, etc). If you let that deter you, then I guess you will have a hard time finding any work or school environment that suits you. There will always be some degree of problems in any career, but I certainly can't say I've noticed it in podiatry any more than anywhere else I've worked/studied.

I thought Barry was a minority-majority school (for students, not faculty). I am pretty sure it was ranked the most diverse university of the south...?

Yeah, that's 100% correct. Barry is the most ethnically diverse university campus in the South. It mentioned that in the article.

If you look at the AACPM pod school stats, you will also see that Barry is the most diverse pod school...
http://www.aacpm.org/html/statistics/PDFs/MatrStats/08-09_Total_Enroll_College.pdf
http://www.aacpm.org/html/statistics/PDFs/MatrStats/07-08_Total_Enroll_College.pdf
http://www.aacpm.org/html/statistics/PDFs/MatrStats/06-07_Total_Enroll_College.pdf

When I worked at Barry for 2yrs in the student residence halls, I experienced a very diverse student body and no altercations that appeared to be racially motivated.. most were simply alcohol-fueled and/or boyfriend/girlfriend disputes. It was also (repeatedly) emphasized in my training that complaints discrimniation or bias based on race, religion, and gender would be taken VERY seriously and that the campus prided itself on offering high quality education and equal opportunity education and employment to everyone. If anything, I sorta deduced that there truly is SO much ethnic/cultural diversity in the university community that it probably discouraged people who don't like diversity from ever wanting to pursue studying or working there in the first place.

 

[whiskers]

Imagine going to Las Vegas and they hand you some big fuzzy dice to roll at the craps table after seeing you pull up to the table wearing a one coloured baby blue suit with frills and with loud yellow shoes and a green top cap with a 1700's wig underneath...

Or maybe just a diaper.... Hmmm


Then you know how cheezy it can be when your relative hands you the keys to the residency or the pod school.


Seriously.


Once people find out that your in daddys back-pock-et, it's pretty much like dressing them in funky clothing or a diaper and handing them big fuzzy dice.

You can't buy respect and dignity. There is no price on those two things.

But you can be given a diaper or a slick outfit to make people snicker.

 

[podpal]

While it is true that racism and sexism exist in society, there seem to be less in professional schools. Most students who make it to the graduate level respect one another for being intelligent, caring human beings. Several years ago I heard of some incidents of sexism in the podiatric profession, although I did not hear of any incidents of racism.

There are good podiatrists and teachers to help ALL students succeed. If you notice that a particular professor/director doesn't like you, go to someone else who is more helpful. Sometimes personality conflicts exist that cannot be overcome. Apply to schools where Try to get into schools where you will be comfortable and successful.

 

[Podmeister]

While it is true that racism and sexism exist in society, there seem to be less in professional schools. Most students who make it to the graduate level respect one another for being intelligent, caring human beings. Several years ago I heard of some incidents of sexism in the podiatric profession, although I did not hear of any incidents of racism.

There are good podiatrists and teachers to help ALL students succeed. If you notice that a particular professor/director doesn't like you, go to someone else who is more helpful. Sometimes personality conflicts exist that cannot be overcome. Apply to schools where Try to get into schools where you will be comfortable and successful.

True.

I graduated from the California school when it was still based in San Francisco, which was quite culturally diverse and never heard of or witnessed any cases of racism or sexism. There was one incident of anti-gay slurs where someone scribbled something on the chalk board in one of the smaller study hall and the dean later held a one hour class meeting on tolerance. At the professional level, every students share similar experiences, struggles and hardship, from studying the exact course material to prepping for weekly exams or clinical rotations. Such experiences promote comraderie and foster mutual respect for one another.

Band of brothers...or sisters.🙂

 

[GetnMyFtNtheDor]

I find this thread interesting because I think podiatry is one of the least racist health professions. I don't think racism is prevalent in the field. I know of many minority pods. BTW, Have you seen the pre-med forums? Racism and bias is definately prevalent there