Aletha Maybank, Myiesha Taylor and Naeemah Ghafur (@DoctorG777 Twitter)
After a Black OBGYN was unable to assist a passenger on a Delta flight due to a disbelieving flight attendant, doctors spurred the hashtag #WhatADoctorLooksLike.
Dr. Tamika Cross shared her experience on Facebook this week, sparking outrage online. When a passenger fell ill en route from Detroit, flight attendants asked for a physician’s help. Cross made herself available, but the crew member rejected her request to offer aid, “Oh no, sweetie, put your hand down. We are looking for actual physicians.”
When Cross insisted, the flight attendant mandated the OB provide her with credentials. The ailing passenger ultimately got help from a white doctor on board and Cross gave some assistance.
Her story of discrimination influenced other Black women to show off their medical professions on social media. Many doctors shared photos of themselves in scrubs and doctor’s coats sporting their natural hair.
Nneoma, MD tagged Delta in her tweet adding, “just in case you were wondering.”
In case you were wondering @Delta – this is #WhatADoctorLooksLike #TamikaCross pic.twitter.com/EGiJ6HiW5R
— Nneoma Nwachuku Ojiaku, MD, MPH, FACOG (@nneomamd) October 14, 2016
Naeemah Ghafur tweeted a photo of her with doctors Aletha Maybank and Myiesha Taylor, who became ambassadors for Artemis Medical Society. According to its website, the organization for non-white women doctors sent a letter to Delta asking for an investigation into Cross’ situation.
@Delta you mightve missed that time @DrAlethaMaybank @MyieshaTaylorMD & I repped @ArtemisMedSoc. Kids worldwide saw #whatadoctorlookslike pic.twitter.com/oN2ZGlFmH7
— Doctor G (@DoctorG777) October 14, 2016
Kanene Ubesie shared her photo to Delta “in case you are having a difficult time breaking prejudices amongst your staff.”
https://twitter.com/DrKaneneUbesie/status/786668446465429504
Plastic surgeon and star of the reality show “Atlanta Plastic” Aisha Baron shared a collage of photos displaying her uniform.
Since @delta can't believe that black women can be physicians! 😡#WhatADoctorLooksLike #ILookLikeASurgeon #ImWithTamikaCross #PlasticSurgery pic.twitter.com/v4Jt66Kdch
— Dr. Aisha Baron (@BreastnBodyDoc) October 13, 2016
Regina Bailey said she has faced the same problem as Cross “many times” before.
As a Black female physician, I have encountered this problem many times. #thisiswhatadoctorlookslike #drreginamdjdhttps://t.co/YRnctXER6u pic.twitter.com/CjcBJFi7hm
— Regina Bailey (@DrReginaMDJD) October 13, 2016
“Don’t raise your eyebrows, raise your expectations!” Majorie Michel demanded of the airline.
https://twitter.com/mgmobgyn_michel/status/786597584957833221
It was not just Black women joining the #WhatADoctorLooksLike hashtag, either.
OBGYN Draion Burch shared his photo, too.
.@Delta this is #WhataDoctorlookslike. pic.twitter.com/b94CA82ECH
— Dr. Drai (@DrDraiOBGYN) October 13, 2016
Non-doctors also used the hashtag to praise the many physicians stepping forward. Khaleesi said she felt “overjoyed.”
i don't think i've ever been so overjoyed with a hashtag as i am with #WhatADoctorLooksLike
— Joy Exotic (@SugarAndSpxce) October 13, 2016
@ItsNessa___ replied with applause.
https://twitter.com/ItsNessa___/status/786713431621632001
Meanwhile, Vibe Connoisseur shouted out the “gracious sisters achieving.”
This #WhatADoctorLooksLike is beautiful man, look at the gracious sisters achieving! I'm here for the #BlackGirlMagic 👏🏾🙌🏾✊🏾
— Vibe Connossieur (@jdotbriggs) October 14, 2016
