Politics in secondaries? (COVID-19)

[James'Magikarp]

I'm writing the COVID-19 secondary essay, but I'm wondering if it is okay to briefly mention how the Trump administration has downplayed the significance of the virus while contributing to xenophobia (e.g. using terms like "China virus" & "Kung flu").

Would the adcoms be offended?

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[BoneBroCO]

I'm writing the COVID-19 secondary essay, but I'm wondering if it is okay to briefly mention how the Trump administration has downplayed the significance of the virus while contributing to xenophobia (e.g. using terms like "China virus" & "Kung flu").

Would the adcoms be offended?

Don't do this

 

[Justapremedguy]

I wouldnt. You never know who’s reading it and what their opinions are.

But even beyond that risk, regardless of my political opinion I’d be offput by that. Stating a political opinion requires an argument to back it up. You can’t just drop a one line political opinion as a fact and move on (why is your opinion more correct than someone else’s that it’s automatically a fact?). So unless you’re turning the entire essay into a political article about what you believe in (also a bad idea), then it would not reflect well on you

 

[brockhamptonfanacct]

Just a premed myself, but if I were you, I'd remove the inflammatory mention of the Trump administration entirely and just talk about how xenophobia is one of the awful byproducts that we saw emerge with the pandemic

 

[brockhamptonfanacct]

I wouldnt. You never know who’s reading it and what their opinions are.

But even beyond that risk, regardless of my political opinion I’d be offput by that. Stating a political opinion requires an argument to back it up. You can’t just drop a one line political opinion as a fact and move on (why is your opinion more correct than someone else’s that it’s automatically a fact?). So unless you’re turning the entire essay into a political article about what you believe in (also a bad idea), then it would not reflect well on you

I'm not really understanding this. I agree that mentioning the Trump administration isn't a good idea in general -- but it is a fact, no, that those terms were used and propagated? I might not put that in a secondary, but it seems pretty cut and dry to me that yeah, that did happen

 

[James'Magikarp]

I see, thank you for your input. I've been very fortunate to not have anyone around me be affected by the virus itself, but my family's business went through anti-Asian hate crimes... I am aware it's a risky topic, so perhaps I'll think of something else to write about.

 

[brockhamptonfanacct]

I see, thank you for your input. I've been very fortunate to not have anyone around me be affected by the virus itself, but my family's business went through anti-Asian hate crimes... I am aware it's a risky topic, so perhaps I'll think of something else to write about.

I am very sorry to hear about that! I hope your family business is on the mend, and that you all are doing okay!

 

[deleted480308]

I see, thank you for your input. I've been very fortunate to not have anyone around me be affected by the virus itself, but my family's business went through anti-Asian hate crimes... I am aware it's a risky topic, so perhaps I'll think of something else to write about.

I’m not a fan but trump didn’t break your business property, some racist jerk did. You can write about racism without adding politics

 

[LunaOri]

I see, thank you for your input. I've been very fortunate to not have anyone around me be affected by the virus itself, but my family's business went through anti-Asian hate crimes... I am aware it's a risky topic, so perhaps I'll think of something else to write about.

Your family's business suffering anti-Asian hate crimes certainly answers the prompt about "how you were affected by COVID".

 

[Mass Effect]

I’m not a fan but trump didn’t break your business property, some racist jerk did. You can write about racism without adding politics

For the record, the buck stops with Trump and the OP nailed it in the first post.

That said OP, your goal is getting into med school. I'd do it exactly as the poster above described. " talk about how xenophobia is one of the awful byproducts that we saw emerge with the pandemic"

That's a safer way to play it.

 

[readmypostsMD]

I'm writing the COVID-19 secondary essay, but I'm wondering if it is okay to briefly mention how the Trump administration has downplayed the significance of the virus while contributing to xenophobia (e.g. using terms like "China virus" & "Kung flu").

Would the adcoms be offended?

only if you mention how democrats said closing border early on with China was racist

 

[Sephirakra]

only if you mention how democrats said closing border early on with China was racist

The US has a border with China now?

 

[deleted480308]

The US has a border with China now?

Every airport immigration checkpoint is effectively one. No need to feign ignorance

 

[deleted480308]

For the record, the buck stops with Trump and the OP nailed it in the first post.

That said OP, your goal is getting into med school. I'd do it exactly as the poster above described. " talk about how xenophobia is one of the awful byproducts that we saw emerge with the pandemic"

That's a safer way to play it.

Except they didn’t “nail it”. Navigate this one carefully OP

 

[Sephirakra]

Every airport immigration checkpoint is effectively one. No need to feign ignorance

It was a joke. No need to feign offense.

 

[deleted480308]

It was a joke. No need to feign offense.

Not offended, the internet conveys tone poorly

 

[Sephirakra]

Not offended, the internet conveys tone poorly

Yeah, perhaps I should've slipped an emoji in after my comment. My apologies.

 

[deleted480308]

Yeah, perhaps I should've slipped an emoji in after my comment. My apologies.

We’re cool

 

[Justapremedguy]

We’re cool

Aw man. I came here hoping to see a fist fight

 

[readmypostsMD]

The US has a border with China now?

These emojis remind me of simpler time

 

[Sephirakra]

Aw man. I came here hoping to see a fist fight

If @sb247 and I were going to have a fight, I hope it would be over something more important than this!

Anyway OP, it's good to have convictions, but it's also important to pick your battles. These days it's probably best to avoid mentioning any politicians by name. You can't fight the good fight if you never get your foot in the door.

 

[Blueprint Med School]

I'm writing the COVID-19 secondary essay, but I'm wondering if it is okay to briefly mention how the Trump administration has downplayed the significance of the virus while contributing to xenophobia (e.g. using terms like "China virus" & "Kung flu").

Would the adcoms be offended?

Stay far, far away from names and events. If your family has experienced anti-asian discrimination, that is 100% fair game and a really good experience to talk about. But for goodness sake leave any buzzwords or anything vaguely political away from it.

David D, MD - USMLE and MCAT Tutor
Med School Tutors

 

[jamaica jan sun princess]

oRaNGe Man'S RAcisM CaUsED CorOnVIRUS.

 

[LunaOri]

oRaNGe Man'S RAcisM CaUsED CorOnVIRUS.


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And what, exactly, does this have to do with the OP's experience of anti-Asian racism?

 

[Angus Avagadro]

Dont mention politics OP. It never ends well. Pick another way to address your topic as suggested above and leave out specific names. Good luck and best wishes!