1/
Mostly I have remained quiet about #twitter verification and (what I like to call) Black physician #verifygate.
Partly because I'd like to believe that verification starts with how we feel about ourselves.
But I'll also admit it's a form of self-protection.
You know?
Mostly I have remained quiet about #twitter verification and (what I like to call) Black physician #verifygate.
Partly because I'd like to believe that verification starts with how we feel about ourselves.
But I'll also admit it's a form of self-protection.
You know?
2/
I also think of how, historically, there are so many examples of successful people who look like me who do or don't get the metaphorical blue check for their work.
So you say the thing we always say:
"You don't verify me. My community verifies me."
Right? Right.
I also think of how, historically, there are so many examples of successful people who look like me who do or don't get the metaphorical blue check for their work.
So you say the thing we always say:
"You don't verify me. My community verifies me."
Right? Right.
3/
But then, if you have enough time, it creeps into your thoughts. And, even if it doesn't really mean anything, you think about it.
You know?
And listen. Since I'm generally not a person who likes to be upset, I will instead shape this into a case.
Okay? Cool.
But then, if you have enough time, it creeps into your thoughts. And, even if it doesn't really mean anything, you think about it.
You know?
And listen. Since I'm generally not a person who likes to be upset, I will instead shape this into a case.
Okay? Cool.
4/
A 50 year old white male full Professor of Medicine presents to @verified with 74.6K followers, an academic appointment at a prestigious medical institution, and a prolific account with consistent, truthful medical information.
He is well respected in his field.
For real.
A 50 year old white male full Professor of Medicine presents to @verified with 74.6K followers, an academic appointment at a prestigious medical institution, and a prolific account with consistent, truthful medical information.
He is well respected in his field.
For real.
5/
He works hard and contributes much--on and off of #Twitter. Even during a pandemic.
Yup.
In a 2 year period, he has given > 20 visiting professorships at places like:
@harvardmed
@WUSTLmed
@YaleIMed
@OHSUSOM
@ucsdim
@StanfordMed
Just to name a few.
He works hard and contributes much--on and off of #Twitter. Even during a pandemic.
Yup.
In a 2 year period, he has given > 20 visiting professorships at places like:
@harvardmed
@WUSTLmed
@YaleIMed
@OHSUSOM
@ucsdim
@StanfordMed
Just to name a few.
6/
He has published stuff. This past year, he had manuscripts accepted in:
@TheLancet
@NEJM
@AnnalsofIM
@JHospMedicine
He also had a piece selected to be republished in @JAMA_current for their 40th year anniversary of their "A Piece of My Mind" section.
Mmm hmm.
He has published stuff. This past year, he had manuscripts accepted in:
@TheLancet
@NEJM
@AnnalsofIM
@JHospMedicine
He also had a piece selected to be republished in @JAMA_current for their 40th year anniversary of their "A Piece of My Mind" section.
Mmm hmm.
7/
In 2021, he was one of the three plenary speakers at the @ACPinternists meeting. Along with well-known author-intensivist extraordinaire @RanaAwdish.
Oh, and his old friend #Fauci.
He's spoken on panels for @CDCgov and @theNASEM. And at quite a few other meetings.
Yup.
In 2021, he was one of the three plenary speakers at the @ACPinternists meeting. Along with well-known author-intensivist extraordinaire @RanaAwdish.
Oh, and his old friend #Fauci.
He's spoken on panels for @CDCgov and @theNASEM. And at quite a few other meetings.
Yup.
8/
He's gotten some awards. A lot, actually. I won't list them, but worth mentioning is the @acgme Parker J. Palmer Courage to Teach Award.
Since it's kind of a big deal.
He's lent his expertise to the media, too. This year alone:
@nytimes
@CNN
@NPR
Mmm hmmm.
He's gotten some awards. A lot, actually. I won't list them, but worth mentioning is the @acgme Parker J. Palmer Courage to Teach Award.
Since it's kind of a big deal.
He's lent his expertise to the media, too. This year alone:
@nytimes
@CNN
@NPR
Mmm hmmm.
9/
He was particularly proud of work he did with @BET around #COVIDVaccines.
In fact, most proud of that.
He's joined some podcasts. Some include:
@CPSolvers
@AnnalsofIM On Call
@thecurbsiders
@NPRLifeKit
@thenocturnists
@CardioNerds
And even started one.
Mmm hmmm.
He was particularly proud of work he did with @BET around #COVIDVaccines.
In fact, most proud of that.
He's joined some podcasts. Some include:
@CPSolvers
@AnnalsofIM On Call
@thecurbsiders
@NPRLifeKit
@thenocturnists
@CardioNerds
And even started one.
Mmm hmmm.
10/
This guy also goes hard in the community. In addition to volunteering to give vaccines, he tries to go above and beyond with community education. Some say it has made a real impact.
Yup.
And while this may be more than plenty to verify him, you should also know this:
This guy also goes hard in the community. In addition to volunteering to give vaccines, he tries to go above and beyond with community education. Some say it has made a real impact.
Yup.
And while this may be more than plenty to verify him, you should also know this:
11/
He's a dedicated teacher, mentor, and leader. He thinks hard and creatively about ways to help people succeed. He is thoughtful about patient care and serves an underserved population.
And, despite his youthful glow, has been doing this for over 20 years at the same place.
He's a dedicated teacher, mentor, and leader. He thinks hard and creatively about ways to help people succeed. He is thoughtful about patient care and serves an underserved population.
And, despite his youthful glow, has been doing this for over 20 years at the same place.
12/
Chances are that you've already knocked on this 50 year-old white man's door and handed him a gift wrapped box with a blue @verified check inside.
I mean, duh.
So who is this man? He is no one. Because this would never happen.
Nope.
He'd be verified. Full stop.
Chances are that you've already knocked on this 50 year-old white man's door and handed him a gift wrapped box with a blue @verified check inside.
I mean, duh.
So who is this man? He is no one. Because this would never happen.
Nope.
He'd be verified. Full stop.
13/
And so. I bit the bullet and re-submitted the request. After nearly two weeks, today, it was confirmed.
Denied.
Because I "do not meet the criteria at this time."
And so. I bit the bullet and re-submitted the request. After nearly two weeks, today, it was confirmed.
Denied.
Because I "do not meet the criteria at this time."
14/
Am I surprised? Nah.
But I wish I could say with certainty that this outcome would be the exact same if I were someone else with all of the same achievements but a different race and gender.
And that's the problem. I can't.
Nope.
Am I surprised? Nah.
But I wish I could say with certainty that this outcome would be the exact same if I were someone else with all of the same achievements but a different race and gender.
And that's the problem. I can't.
Nope.
15/
Now. Do I think is some diabolical plot with some person wringing their hands with evil "DENIED" laughter?
Nah.
But what I do think is that bias is a mighty, mighty thing. And that it sometimes creates indifference or confirmation of what is or isn't bona fide-able.
Yup.
Now. Do I think is some diabolical plot with some person wringing their hands with evil "DENIED" laughter?
Nah.
But what I do think is that bias is a mighty, mighty thing. And that it sometimes creates indifference or confirmation of what is or isn't bona fide-able.
Yup.
16/
And know this--I am not sharing this to draw compliments or sympathy. But I do hope we will all think about the power of implicit bias.
You know?
And nah. I'm not going to cancel #Twitter. Because I feel good about what I'm putting out into the #twitterverse.
I do.
And know this--I am not sharing this to draw compliments or sympathy. But I do hope we will all think about the power of implicit bias.
You know?
And nah. I'm not going to cancel #Twitter. Because I feel good about what I'm putting out into the #twitterverse.
I do.
17/
So I'll just keep on keeping on without my blue check. And if it pops up one day, just know that it will not suddenly define me or anyone else who does or does not have the same.
That's the good thing about being 50. You know stuff. Especially who you are.
Got it? Good.👊🏾
So I'll just keep on keeping on without my blue check. And if it pops up one day, just know that it will not suddenly define me or anyone else who does or does not have the same.
That's the good thing about being 50. You know stuff. Especially who you are.
Got it? Good.👊🏾
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