CR 5: Pause and Reflect
“Whenever you find yourself on the side of the majority, it is the time to pause and reflect” — Mark Twain. The idea of a majority has always been rooted in the practice of a mass consensus. This consensus has always left out the reorganization of the opposition- the minority. In In Search of a Majority: an Address, an excerpt by James Baldwin, Baldwin tackles the issue of the majority versus the minority. Baldwin notes that the key difference between the majority and the minority is that the majority controls the bearings in society thus leading to conjured fear. Baldwin says, “society is an expression in some way of the majority” (215). By pointing this out Baldwin calls attention to the influence and power the majority holds over society and its implications on individuals. This brings us back to a previous weeks discussion of submissive and dominant personality traits and referencing when and where they there fall into the different categories. After reviewing the readings it was concluded that personality traits manifest as dominant or submissive when often put in context of a social setting- a social setting dictated by the input of the majority. Clearly noting, Baldwin mentions that the only other translation of the word majority falls under ‘influence” (216). This influence is the set guidelines given to a governed group that is then changed by its effects. Baldwin mentions “fear” that is brewed as a result of the overwhelming power of the majority that can stifle the minority. At my clinical sight I often see fear at play when it comes to my patients. Under the new Trump Administration, many patients that frequent the RotaCare clinic are afraid to seek immediate help due to their immigration status. I have seen patients who have waited for days to get care for a broken arm because our clinic does not ask questions. With the majority of the political system that runs the United States not believing in free healthcare many do not have much of an option when it comes down to affordability. The fear that is created is cause by the need to survive financially and support a family or care for ones health. Many immigrants will work through the pain in order to provide for their family and gain a chance at a better life. Weeks back I met a patient suffering from a rare health condition that made her sensitive to light requiring her to wear sunglasses almost constantly. Once the triage process was complete and the patient was prescribed the prober medications the doctor’s recommended the patient see a specialist for a checkup. During the debrief at the end of the clinic the lady mentioned that she has no time to meet with any specialists because she works three jobs, has a child and can not afford to take time off of work. Not feeling fully supported by society the hard working mother lives in constant fear feeling everyone and everything is against her.
