‘black women in medicine’ film shows exactly #whatadoctorlookslike

Although not inspired by the viral hashtag #WhatADoctorLooksLike, it seems that the film ‘Black Women in Medicine’ is right on time on a subject that’s extremely relevant. Crystal R. Emery is an artist, author, filmmaker, actress, and playwright known for producing socially-conscious works and stories that celebrate the triumph of the human spirit and her latest project is a deep dive into the history, contributions, struggles and presence of Black female doctors. Emery is also the CEO and Founder of a nonprofit organization dedicated to education through the arts, URU, The Right to Be, Inc. Today, February 8, at 6 p.m. and reairs at 9 p.m. (check local listings). This moving portrait captures the tenacious women who have succeeded against all odds in the male-dominated medical field, with the double minority status of being both Black and women. A timely film, the work serves as an answer to two separate incidents last fall when airline crews seeking in-flight medical attention for passengers assumed that Black women offering help could not possibly be physicians, that inspired #whatadoctorlookslike hashtag. What could be a better way to celebrate Black girl magic and Black History Month than watching a film that combines the two?!

By T. McLendon, AFROPUNK Contributor