North. That’s the direction my father went when he left his small town of El Español, Mexico, for the first time. He was 13 years old. He left his mother, father, and 9 siblings in search of opportunity.
The road is dangerous. Many people never make it across the barren landscape between the United States and Mexico. Some fall ill. Some are murdered. Many never make it back home.
My father’s guide, his uncle, abandoned him at the border. Alone and 13 years old, he had to find his own way.
Why am I sharing this with you?
Perspective.
My father’s experiences changed how I view the world. The childhood and adult traumas I faced because of my background shaped my perspective and who I am. They shape what kind of person and doctor I am. When I was a child, I spoke little English and was harassed to no end over my limited English proficiency. When I was a teenager, a police officer called my mom “a spic.” When I became a physician, I was called a “gang member” by a fellow physician based solely on my appearance.
These experiences are meant to devalue you. Like you’re not enough. Like you’ll never be enough.
I know I am not alone in these experiences.
Often, a different perspective makes people uncomfortable. To be different, to think differently, causes discordance. It shakes the status quo and causes friction and discomfort. It’s in this discordance that we find our voice.
Your perspective is power. It is your gift. For those of us from marginalized communities, perspective gives us strength. It affects how we treat patients. It affects how we view our specialty. It affects whom we mentor and how we connect with our institutions and colleagues. It generates ideas and drives difficult discussions.
This year, I challenge you to bring your unique perspective and voice. This is a call to action. Bring your thoughts and opinions to us at EMRA. Help us make EMRA a space where you can unapologetically be yourself. Only by doing this can we improve the culture of EM. Only through your voice can we leave emergency medicine better than we found it. At EMRA, I assure you, we are listening.
Derek Martinez, DO, holds the position of director of leadership development on the EMRA Board of Directors. The EMRA Board encourages you to run for a seat on the 2024-25 EMRA Board of Directors so that you have more opportunities to use your voice, be a leader, and actively shape the future of our specialty. Reach out to current board members for advice and guidance. We’re here to listen, and we’re here to help.