# Concerned about getting a black or foreign doctor? Make sure to use www.whitedoctor.org! **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [February 14, 2010, 6:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/concerned-about-getting-a-black-or-foreign-doctor-make-sure-to-use-www-whitedoctor-org/528936 "2010-02-14T06:05:59Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e99b99/32.png) [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diogenes_the_Cynic)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2010, 12:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/concerned-about-getting-a-black-or-foreign-doctor-make-sure-to-use-www-whitedoctor-org/528936/41 "2010-02-15T00:04:49Z")
I didn’t say no one would think it was racist, I said no one would care. Of course, it would be racist. It would also be too lame for anyone to give a shit. It’s not like it would actually amount to any kind of real discrimination or violation of rights. The internet is already filled with stupid racist websites. What difference would one more make? ---
**Author:** ![Rand\_Rover](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/db5fbb/32.png) [@Rand\_Rover](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rand_Rover)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2010, 12:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/concerned-about-getting-a-black-or-foreign-doctor-make-sure-to-use-www-whitedoctor-org/528936/42 "2010-02-15T00:07:57Z")
Ah, OK, I apologize. Now please explain why [www.whitedoctors.org](http://www.whitedoctors.org) could only be started by a racist whereas [www.blackdoctors.org](http://www.blackdoctors.org) was not started by racists. One thing to keep in mind is that several people in this thread have expressed preferences for black doctors or female doctors. Are they racist or sexist? Why would someone who expressed a preference for a white doctor be racist? And what about non-whites who prefer white doctors? I’d bet there are a fair number of non-whites who don’t trust non-white doctors given the prevalence of affirmative action in med school admission. ---
**Author:** ![Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e99b99/32.png) [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diogenes_the_Cynic)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2010, 12:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/concerned-about-getting-a-black-or-foreign-doctor-make-sure-to-use-www-whitedoctor-org/528936/43 "2010-02-15T00:12:24Z")
You already know the answers to these questions. They don’t require responses. If you’re really that confused about, I would suggest taking a remedial US History course. I will say this. I don’t give a shit whether “[blackdocters.com](http://blackdocters.com)” is racist or not. It’s not anything that matters in the world. If you believe you’re being persecuted by it, then call the ACLU. ---
**Author:** ![Rand\_Rover](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/db5fbb/32.png) [@Rand\_Rover](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rand_Rover)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2010, 12:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/concerned-about-getting-a-black-or-foreign-doctor-make-sure-to-use-www-whitedoctor-org/528936/44 "2010-02-15T00:14:51Z")
I’m not sure how US history would reveal your opinions on the questions I asked you, but OK, whatever. ---
**Author:** ![BlackKnight](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/eb8c5e/32.png) [@BlackKnight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BlackKnight)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2010, 12:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/concerned-about-getting-a-black-or-foreign-doctor-make-sure-to-use-www-whitedoctor-org/528936/45 "2010-02-15T00:29:50Z")
> [@astro](#): > > I honestly thought I get a lot of “Yow! What a crazy double standard in 2010!”, but instead there’s a of lot of “Yeah I can see why having a same sex, same race doctor would be important.” You must be new here. ---
**Author:** ![Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e99b99/32.png) [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diogenes_the_Cynic)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2010, 12:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/concerned-about-getting-a-black-or-foreign-doctor-make-sure-to-use-www-whitedoctor-org/528936/46 "2010-02-15T00:31:35Z")
If he thought that people would fall for such a tedious, disingenuous tactic, he is. ---
**Author:** ![KarlGrenze](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/dbc845/32.png) [@KarlGrenze](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KarlGrenze)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2010, 12:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/concerned-about-getting-a-black-or-foreign-doctor-make-sure-to-use-www-whitedoctor-org/528936/47 "2010-02-15T00:38:55Z")
I really don’t understand what the hell affirmative action and admission to med school has to do with this thread. Every single licensed and boarded doctor in the US have to have passed a battery of exams, tests, and certifications to obtain those licenses and credentials. And none of those depend on affirmative action. ---
**Author:** ![jali](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ecae2f/32.png) [@jali](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jali)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2010, 12:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/concerned-about-getting-a-black-or-foreign-doctor-make-sure-to-use-www-whitedoctor-org/528936/48 "2010-02-15T00:50:16Z")
My two favorite doctors: The first, a white South African. My current, a black Nigerian. I asked the first where he was from because of his distinctive accent - for some reason I thought he was from New Zealand. He was a bit hesitant in telling me since aparthaid was still flourishing in South Africa and I think he worried that I might not wish to continue with him. He was a good doctor and I had no reason to leave him. He’d be my doctor today if I hadn’t left NYC. Dr. Ogundipe is my other favorite - I could tell he was from Nigeria by his look and accent. I love my doctor. If I had to choose today, I’d go for the one on my transit line as long as they were good. ---
**Author:** ![monstro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ba9def/32.png) [@monstro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/monstro)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2010, 1:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/concerned-about-getting-a-black-or-foreign-doctor-make-sure-to-use-www-whitedoctor-org/528936/49 "2010-02-15T01:01:40Z")
> [@silenus](#): > > You see, I’d go the exact opposite route. I’d probably pick the black female because she could possibly bring something new to the table. If I’m seeing a doctor for _anything_, I want a cure first and empathy second. In fact, if I’m the one to blame for my condition, empathy is the last thing I want. IANApsychotherapist, but seems to me that therapists HAVE to empathize (identify with and understand another’s pain) in order to provide effective treatment. I know I wouldn’t want to go to someone who’s thinking, “Why the hell is this person so upset?” while I’m talking to them. I can understand going to a doctor who’s “other than” you just to get a different perspective, but for me, it would depend on the problem. If I’ve just been traumatized by rape/sexual harrassment due to the actions of a male, or if I’m having problems maintaining romantic relationships with men, I wouldn’t necessarily want a male doctor staring at me as I weep on his couch. But if I’m dealing with general existential angst, I’d probably be fine going to a male doctor. ---
**Author:** ![lissener](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lissener/32/6139_2.png) [@lissener](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lissener)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2010, 2:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/concerned-about-getting-a-black-or-foreign-doctor-make-sure-to-use-www-whitedoctor-org/528936/50 "2010-02-15T02:31:20Z")
> [@Rand\_Rover](#): > > Ah, OK, I apologize. > > Now please explain why [www.whitedoctors.org](http://www.whitedoctors.org) could only be started by a racist whereas [www.blackdoctors.org](http://www.blackdoctors.org) was not started by racists. Because [blackdoctors.org](http://blackdoctors.org) was created in response to a pre-existing, actual, real-world imbalance, experienced more by non-whites than by whites. No such imbalance exists in the reverse situation, so such a site as [whitedoctors.org](http://whitedoctors.org) would not be created in order to deal with a real issue, but with a racist agenda. Affirmative action is not racist if it addresses a real imbalance; if the imbalance goes away, or is in your favor, then racial considerations are racist, rather than practical. The opposite is not true because of the imbalance; the equation is not the same on both sides of the issue. In other words, whites have had their own affirmative action for centuries, but it’s so well ingrained and institutionalized that it seems to happen naturally. That doesn’t make it right. Affirmative action is only useful–indeed necessary–when it addresses an existing imbalance. I have no doubt whatsoever that such an imbalance exists in the medical culture of this country, and thus that the website cited in the OP is not, in fact racist; rather it addresses racism. ---
**Author:** ![Dr.Crap](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dr.crap/32/3131_2.png) [@Dr.Crap](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr.Crap)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2010, 2:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/concerned-about-getting-a-black-or-foreign-doctor-make-sure-to-use-www-whitedoctor-org/528936/51 "2010-02-15T02:53:52Z")
And I still have to mentally pick out all the Jews? Way to miss the mark. ---
**Author:** ![Rand\_Rover](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/db5fbb/32.png) [@Rand\_Rover](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rand_Rover)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2010, 3:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/concerned-about-getting-a-black-or-foreign-doctor-make-sure-to-use-www-whitedoctor-org/528936/52 "2010-02-15T03:52:15Z")
> [@lissener](#): > > Because [blackdoctors.org](http://blackdoctors.org) was created in response to a pre-existing, actual, real-world imbalance, experienced more by non-whites than by whites. No such imbalance exists in the reverse situation, so such a site as [whitedoctors.org](http://whitedoctors.org) would not be created in order to deal with a real issue, but with a racist agenda. > > Affirmative action is not racist if it addresses a real imbalance; if the imbalance goes away, or is in your favor, then racial considerations are racist, rather than practical. The opposite is not true because of the imbalance; the equation is not the same on both sides of the issue. In other words, whites have had their own affirmative action for centuries, but it’s so well ingrained and institutionalized that it seems to happen naturally. That doesn’t make it right. Affirmative action is only useful–indeed necessary–when it addresses an existing imbalance. I have no doubt whatsoever that such an imbalance exists in the medical culture of this country, and thus that the website cited in the OP is not, in fact racist; rather it addresses racism. Seems to me that [www.blackdoctors.org](http://www.blackdoctors.org) was created for people that want to find a black doctor. And [www.whitedoctors.org](http://www.whitedoctors.org) could be created for people that want to find a white doctor. I don’t see how “imbalance” has anything to do with anything–both sites could just be for people looking for a doctor of a particular race. Doesn’t make the patrons of either site racist necessarily. ---
**Author:** ![astro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9dc877/32.png) [@astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astro)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2010, 3:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/concerned-about-getting-a-black-or-foreign-doctor-make-sure-to-use-www-whitedoctor-org/528936/53 "2010-02-15T03:53:10Z")
> [@Dr.Crap](#): > > And I still have to mentally pick out all the Jews? Way to miss the mark. We’ll be adding the “ethnics” filter in version 2.0 allowing classification by almost any ethnic variable you desire for your personal comfort, along with a Doctor finger size indicator for men who are delicate in their special place, and don’t want “Dr. Tree Trunk Fingers” poking around down there. ---
**Author:** ![lissener](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lissener/32/6139_2.png) [@lissener](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lissener)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2010, 5:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/concerned-about-getting-a-black-or-foreign-doctor-make-sure-to-use-www-whitedoctor-org/528936/54 "2010-02-15T05:08:20Z")
> [@Rand\_Rover](#): > > Seems to me that [www.blackdoctors.org](http://www.blackdoctors.org) was created for people that want to find a black doctor. And [www.whitedoctors.org](http://www.whitedoctors.org) could be created for people that want to find a white doctor. I don’t see how “imbalance” has anything to do with anything–both sites could just be for people looking for a doctor of a particular race. Doesn’t make the patrons of either site racist necessarily. Pretending there is no context for the issue doesn’t make it so. It only makes you look obtuse. ---
**Author:** ![Nava](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/da6949/32.png) [@Nava](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nava)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2010, 5:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/concerned-about-getting-a-black-or-foreign-doctor-make-sure-to-use-www-whitedoctor-org/528936/55 "2010-02-15T05:15:44Z")
> [@tumbleddown](#): > > There’s a higher chance of understanding of the demographics of the African-American community, not asking ridiculous questions like, for example, “why aren’t you married?” of an African-American woman, when the majority of us are not married and a stunning percentage of us will _never_ marry. (I’ve been asked that, by a clueless ob-gyn resident.) I’ve been asked that many times, in different countries, by all kinds of people. Well, mostly by one kind of people: morons. They move from “nosy” to “morons” when they refuse to accept my answer. It hasn’t happened in the last 3 years, but I have no idea whether it is because societal expectations are changing or because of my age (as in, at 41 I’m “so old” that people expect I’ll either come up with some crying story, explain I’m a lesbian or bite off their noses if they ask). ---
**Author:** ![elmwood](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/elmwood/32/3060_2.png) [@elmwood](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elmwood)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2010, 5:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/concerned-about-getting-a-black-or-foreign-doctor-make-sure-to-use-www-whitedoctor-org/528936/56 "2010-02-15T05:20:25Z")
> [@astro](#): > > The website [http://www.blackdoctor.org/index2.aspx](http://www.blackdoctor.org/index2.aspx) makes sure you have a black doctor available for your black needs. Another curly-haired black woman. Stock photography, commercials, Web sites, and in print, it seems like light- to medium-skinned, curly-haired black women are far more prevalent than in the real world. What’s the deal with that? ---
**Author:** ![Omega\_Glory](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/7c8e57/32.png) [@Omega\_Glory](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Omega_Glory)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2010, 1:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/concerned-about-getting-a-black-or-foreign-doctor-make-sure-to-use-www-whitedoctor-org/528936/57 "2010-02-15T13:45:09Z")
> [@elmwood](#): > > Another curly-haired black woman. Stock photography, commercials, Web sites, and in print, it seems like light- to medium-skinned, curly-haired black women are far more prevalent than in the real world. What’s the deal with that? They’re identifiably black while still being close to the standard American ideal of beauty. That’s my guess, anyway, and it doesn’t seem like a huge leap. I’m not thinking of anything off the top of my head, besides symptoms that are based on skin color - redness, paleness, turning blue, etc. but if there are diseases that present differently in blacks, I could see a black person figuring a black doctor would have a better chance of catching it. Doctors who don’t treat a lot of blacks might miss things, that they wouldn’t if they did, but a black doctor might be more likely to be interested in, and seek out information about things like that. It sort of reminds me of the doctor who was concerned about my mom’s tan lines, because he didn’t realize blacks got darker after spending time in the sun. It wasn’t life threatening, and he was a great doctor, but I’d understand if a patient found that off putting, and wondered what else he didn’t know about people of their race. ---
**Author:** ![Rand\_Rover](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/db5fbb/32.png) [@Rand\_Rover](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rand_Rover)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2010, 2:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/concerned-about-getting-a-black-or-foreign-doctor-make-sure-to-use-www-whitedoctor-org/528936/58 "2010-02-15T14:37:29Z")
> [@lissener](#): > > Pretending there is no context for the issue doesn’t make it so. It only makes you look obtuse. And saying that black people who want black doctors are not racists while white people who want white doctors are racists is equally as obtuse. Note that by “racist” I mean “a person who holds the belief that other races are inferior to his/her own.” ---
**Author:** ![Translucent\_Daydream](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/translucent_daydream/32/16170_2.png) [@Translucent\_Daydream](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Translucent_Daydream)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2010, 3:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/concerned-about-getting-a-black-or-foreign-doctor-make-sure-to-use-www-whitedoctor-org/528936/59 "2010-02-15T15:18:25Z")
I only go to hot doctors. This is my policy since my doctor is now a hot minority lady. ---
**Author:** ![lissener](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lissener/32/6139_2.png) [@lissener](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lissener)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2010, 4:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/concerned-about-getting-a-black-or-foreign-doctor-make-sure-to-use-www-whitedoctor-org/528936/60 "2010-02-15T16:19:43Z")
> [@Rand\_Rover](#): > > And saying that black people who want black doctors are not racists while white people who want white doctors are racists is equally as obtuse. > > Note that by “racist” I mean “a person who holds the belief that other races are inferior to his/her own.” Note that by “frog” I mean “giraffe.” [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/concerned-about-getting-a-black-or-foreign-doctor-make-sure-to-use-www-whitedoctor-org/528936.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/concerned-about-getting-a-black-or-foreign-doctor-make-sure-to-use-www-whitedoctor-org/528936.md?page=4)