Opportunities for Reflection
After viewing the videos, use this reflection sheet to help think through the ideas they presented and the feelings they invoked.
Reflect on your Emotional Reactions
- What's salient?
- What's surprising
- What emotions (e.g. uncomfortable, upset, sad, and angry) are you experiencing while watching these films and reading the materials?
- When did you experience these emotions?
- How are you making sense of your visceral reactions to parts of these films and readings?
- What did you learn about yourself, race, racism, gender, and sexuality?
Respond to the following questions to reflect on health disparities as well as your role to advance care for a diverse society:
- What have you learned about systemic inequities through the videos and readings?
- As an aspiring health professional, what do you see being your role in influencing and making health care more equitable? What can you do to support those who have been historically and systemically excluded in education and in the healthcare setting (e.g., classmates, colleagues, and clients/patients)?
- The mission of the MGH IHP is to prepare "health professionals and scientists to advance care for a diverse society through leadership in education, clinical practice, research, and community engagement." What would you need as a student to learn in order to advance care for a diverse society while at the IHP?
How have race, gender, and sexuality shaped your life?
Read through this list and give yourself a point for each item that is true for you:
- My parents and grandparents were able to purchase or rent housing in any neighborhood they could afford.
- I can take a job with an employer without having co-workers suspect that I got it because of my race.
- I grew up in a house that was owned by my parents or caretakers.
- I can look in mainstream media and see people who look like me represented fairly and in a wide range of roles.
- I live in a safe neighborhood that is considered safe and with good schools.
- I can go shopping most of the time, pretty well assured that I will not be followed or harassed.
- If my car breaks down on a deserted stretch of road, I can trust that the law enforcement officer who shows up will be helpful.
- I don't have to worry about helping my parents or caretakers when they retire.
- I am not afraid to call the police when trouble occurs.
- Schools in my community teach about my race and heritage and present it in positive ways.
- I can be pretty sure that if I go into a business and ask to speak to the "person in charge" that I will be facing a person of my race.
- When I go into public places, I can feel fairly confident that I will be able to use the bathroom with harassment or concern.
- I feel confident that I can demonstrate public displays of affection (e.g. holding hands, kissing, hugs) with a romantic partner without fear of judgment or harassment.
- I see positive reflections of my gender identity and sexuality in the media.
How many points did you have?
Positiionality Reflection Questions:
- Whom do you think ends up with the most and fewest points?
- How have you seen this in your own environment?
- What historical or current policies or norms may have contributed to these patterns you observed?
Well-Being Across Positionalities
After reflecting on your own social position or positionality, use these questions to reflect on how you relate to other people across positionalities.
- How can you be attentive to the well-being and needs of yourself and others given these different social realities you carry?
- Do you notice what others need to survive and thrive?
- Given the range of social experience people may have, what might different people need in order to experience well-being?
- How can you engage with others to ensure that their well-being is nurtured and that they can flourish?
