When physician Tamika Cross shared her story of being dismissed while trying to help a man in need, many black doctors felt her pain.
Cross says she was on a Delta Flight from Detroit heading to Minneapolis when a passenger became unresponsive and flight attendants called for medical help.
But when Cross tried to step in, she recalls the flight attendant told her, “We are looking for actual physicians…”
“I’m sure many of my fellow young, corporate America working women of color can all understand my frustration when I say I’m sick of being disrespected,” Cross wrote in a Facebook post after the alleged incident.
The response has galvanized black doctors to respond by posting their own credentials — and faces — to show people exactly #WhatADoctorLooksLike.
Similar to other viral hashtag campaigns like #StayMadAbby and #IfTheyGunnedMeDown, #WhatADoctorLooksLike challenges stereotypical depictions of black people by showing their successes and achievements.
It’s the kind of clap back that is unfortunately necessary in 2016. Delta is currently investigating the Cross incident.
Meanwhile, black doctors everywhere will continue to win.
Check out the best responses to #WhatADoctorLooksLike below:
https://twitter.com/TaaraSultaana/status/786729680011300864
In case you were wondering @Delta – this is #WhatADoctorLooksLike #TamikaCross pic.twitter.com/EGiJ6HiW5R
— Nneoma Nwachuku Ojiaku, MD, MPH, FACOG (@nneomamd) October 14, 2016
.@Delta I got MD in '92 from @JeffersonUniv. We're not new or a novelty. Sad this is needed.Sadder I'm not surprised. #WhatADoctorLooksLike pic.twitter.com/eVWmo732Ma
— Dr. Donna® (@DonnaHamiltonMD) October 14, 2016
Dear @Delta I am a #blackdoctor and these are my black doctor friends. #WeDoExist pic.twitter.com/wMvF594NMZ
— Dr. Shanté 🐳 (@DrShanteSays) October 13, 2016
White coats, Black doctors 💉 pic.twitter.com/Bo034a8dRN
— Helene (MD) (@Helene_da_Queen) September 16, 2016