How to respond when asked where you’re ‘really from’

Fight for acceptance, not toleranceNarut Pakunwanich, academic foundation doctor, interventional neuropsychiatry group, School of Clinical Medicine, University of Cambridge, says, “This seemingly innocent question is loaded with assumptions and implications, leaving doctors and medical students unsure of how to respond appropriately. It’s a question we minority ethnic healthcare professionals hear numerous times.“This question, and ones like it, are microaggressions—subtle but harmful remarks—that perpetuate stereotypes or biases. While much research has focused on ‘tolerance’1 improving in the UK, for many health professionals, acceptance is what is truly needed.“Microaggressions are highly context dependent and should be handled with care. Remember that the intent may not always be malicious. But, regardless, the underlying cultural insensitivity or ignorance must be tackled. In order to facilitate a truly accepting atmosphere, the approach must always be constructive to both sides. The tension can be relatively easily diffused in isolated cases without malintent.“By using the compliment sandwich…
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