Email with ‘Tips for White People’ sparks backlash against North Carolina hospitals
A hospital system sent an email with “Tips for White People,” sparking controversy in North Carolina.
Vidant Health sent its employees a message that included 16 suggestions to help with “racial reconciliation,” WNCT and other news outlets reported this month.
On the list, one tip advises not letting people of color be the sole source of information about race, WITN reported. It also urges against ”whitesplaining,” which it defines as a white “person explaining racism or suggesting how a POC should respond to perceived racist incidents,” according to the TV station.
The hospital system, which includes Vidant Medical Center in Greenville and other Eastern North Carolina facilities, said it hopes to care for people in an inclusive environment.
The hospital system says it used ”Be The Bridge” materials for voluntary conversation sessions with employees.
“This material comes from a recognized, national best-selling author who has significant ties to eastern North Carolina,” the statement said. “The material helped the participants talk about and understand the perspectives of others and helped facilitate the conversations. It was not intended to assign or prescribe views, beliefs or feelings to any individual or group of individuals.”
Among employees who participated in the sessions, Vidant Health said, there was “very positive feedback.”
In its statement to media outlets, the hospital system says it has “created opportunities for open, honest dialogue and mindfulness where all team members are heard and supported.”
“Vidant’s pursuit of belonging and love will guide us from a place of fear to growth,” officials said.
Controversy erupts
News stories and copies of the “Tips for White People” were shared on social media, drawing support from some and backlash from others.
“I can’t believe a hospital would think this ok,” one Twitter user wrote. “It’s just going to cause more division.”
Several people said they viewed the email as discriminatory.
“I no longer work there but if I did, I would quit,” one person commented on Facebook. “This is discrimination if I’ve ever seen it!”
There was at least one social media user who said they planned to stop getting treatment from the hospital system.
“If you’re a Vidant employee I feel bad for you,” the person said in a Facebook post. “I’m changing my doctors office after that email that was sent out.”
But other social media users backed the hospital’s email, saying they interpreted it as a learning opportunity.
“I see no problem with it, meant to educate people, especially people in health care where a lot of racial issues occur,” one Facebook user commented.
Another person posted: “You can tell who really needs this pamphlet, all these HURT people.... We’ve been hurting for ages, follow the steps, treat minorities with respect & you’ll be fine.”
One person on Twitter made several posts in favor of Vidant’s recent efforts.
“I’m proud of Vidant and it’s executives for not backtracking in it’s support for inclusion, diversity, and conversations about racism and continuing to push its staff to have these hard conversations despite the outrage some crying few have shown,” the person wrote.
This story was originally published July 15, 2020 at 10:50 AM.
