Too Bad You Can’t Transfuse Out Racism
Bigotry, Hospital, USA | Healthy | November 16, 2017
(This happened to one of my professors in the 1970s while they were working in a hospital’s blood bank dispensary. It wasn’t uncommon at that time for people to be somewhat fixated on the concept of receiving blood from their own race only. Some people falsely believed that “black blood” would “turn you black,” and all sorts of other ridiculous racist things. A patient who has recently received a blood transfusion somehow gets their number.)
Caller: “What color was the blood you gave me?”
Professor: *knowing what they’re asking, but refusing to play* “Red.”
Caller: “No. Where did it come from?”
Professor: “From someone’s veins, out of the goodness of their hearts.”
Caller: “No, I mean, what type of person did it come from?”
Professor: “A generous, kind, and loving one. Look, I don’t know their race, and it doesn’t matter anyway, and I wouldn’t tell you if I did know.”
Caller: “F*** you!”
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