I’ve done A LOT for this school and the field of medicine as a whole and will be graduating without honors

Honestly, taking time to process this has been... interesting lol. Let’s just say leading anti-racism efforts in the Deep South doesn’t make you any friends

It’ll be my first graduation without them. And even though EYE WORKED MY BUTT OFF ESP THIS LAST SEMESTER, I no longer require validation from a system built to exclude and isolate people like myself.

I have found that if I seek gratification in the same places that devalue Black lives and voices, I will never feel heard or appreciated professionally. So I will no longer seek healing in the same places that have hurt me and show little to no interest of improving

Now I don’t even wanna go to awards ceremonies to sit through their idea of merit. A mold I never fit in my 4 years, a mold they told me I had to fit or I would never be a competent doctor

I used to go to scholarship dinners until I realized the students they chose to speak to donors didn’t actually need it. They had doctors and engineers as parents who COULD HAVE paid for their education.

They repackage bootstrap theory to glorify a student with no real need for aid receiving a scholarship to attend school with all resources readily available to them.

This event all of a sudden turned to philanthropic theatre, the amount of money being circulated fully overshadowing those it would make the most impact for. I felt out of place, an imposter b/c I knew even this place wasn’t really for me.

Did I do honor’s worthy work? Yep. And that’s enough for me and those I’ve helped.

Am I still disappointed that the school that used my likeness for recruiting (w/o compensation) for years, used my advocacy to change policy, & trained me 4 years doesn’t think I’m deserving? Yes

Do I care now that I’m on my way out to a program that values me with mentors ready to mold me into a pediatrician and that I’ve helped hundreds of graduates across the nation and globe get what they need for residency? Lmaooooo absolutely not

I am much bigger than semantics/politics, always will be. May 22 is bout to be a MOVIE