Rethinking Core Values: How Medical “Professionalism” Perpetuates Discrimination against Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC)-View Presentation

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Video Summary

The recording captures a workshop focused on professionalism within diverse contexts, highlighting challenges in institutional settings, especially concerning BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, People of Color) professionals. The discussion emphasizes how professionalism can be a flexible and often problematic concept, historically rooted in white, cis, heteronormative norms that can inadvertently uphold structures of systemic privilege and oppression.<br /><br />Dr. J. Corey Williams and his colleagues, who have worked on anti-racism curriculum development, lead the session. They outline how professionalism's definitions and applications vary widely, often resulting in subjective and biased interpretations that disadvantage minority groups. The concept is explored through various lenses, including behavioral and identity-based frameworks, highlighting how professional attributes are culturally and contextually bound, yet inconsistently applied.<br /><br />Subsequent breakout discussions involve analyzing case vignettes illustrating institutional biases. Participants recount experiences where professionalism was used to penalize employees of color, suppress discussions about race, or uphold power imbalances. The analysis of institutional data further supports these anecdotes, showing disparities in how professionalism is perceived and valued by different demographic groups, particularly among marginalized identities.<br /><br />The conversation underscores the need for a critical reevaluation of how professionalism is defined and practiced. Suggested steps include fostering environments that prioritize inclusivity and cultural competencies, encouraging self-reflection among leaders, and advocating for institutional changes that recognize the diverse realities within the workforce. The session concludes with calls to action for more inclusive policies and continual dialogue to refine the understanding and application of professionalism in culturally diverse settings.

Keywords

professionalism

diversity

BIPOC

systemic privilege

anti-racism

institutional bias

cultural competency

inclusivity

power imbalance

workforce diversity