I, like the next person, love my vagina, and I love getting my annual exam. It makes me feel like a liberated, sexually healthy woman. However a new attempt at being "culturally sensitive" has turned my annual joy into racial shame.
Being that I am poor, I use a clinic that is "family pact" happy and up until this summer I was completely satisfied with my experiences there.
The most recent visit just started off so normal. Walked in, went up to the counter and showed my i.d. The woman behind the nurse's desk spoke to me casually, read my i.d. then did a double-take at me.
"Will you be needing an interpreter?" the nurse asked
Having been to this clinic several times in the past I was confused by the question,
"for what"? I asked
"your exam"
I shook my head at her. What an odd question.
Next I was instructed that I needed to pee in a cup for a pregnancy test. I asked if it was necesary since I had just ended my period. She agressively insisted that I needed to do it,
"it's policy" she snapped.
After peeing I waited for the doctor and thought about race. Was the woman at the desk targeting me, or was I overreacting? Surely this was a new policy and I just needed to relax and do what they think is best. This is a health clinic. They know what they're doing.
When the Doctor came into the room she asked me if I felt comfortable communicating in English....