Healthcare & Latinx People

Out of the readings assigned this week, the essay about Aids and the article “Young Lords Seize Lincoln Hospital Building”, stuck out to me the most. In the essay by Carlos Ulises Decena, he indicated that the HIV/AIDS epidemic has shifted drastically towards Latinx individuals and African Americans in the United States. It makes me feel like it’s unfair that individuals who are not part of the majority race in the United States don’t get equal treatment in the healthcare system. They are not provided with the same services. Hospitals in Latinx communities do not compare to hospitals and health clinics in suburban communities. Also, it is undeniable that patients who are Latinx get treated differently than those who are White. This statement is also based on personal experience. It’s almost as if there is a stereotype on Latinx individuals that prevent them from getting the proper care they need. For example, I know two people that went to the doctor for the same medical reason. The diagnosis for their diseases would require being prescribed high pain killers. However, the Latinx individuals did not get prescribed the pain killers. The doctors took years to diagnose the disease. It’s almost as if they labeled the Latinx individual as someone who was only looking for drugs to get high off. This lack of equality in the medical field can lead to preventable deaths.

The Young Lords took a stand against similar things when they decided to protest at the hospital in the Bronx. They made demands that were valid. A member of the Young Lords, Guzman said “We are not armed and we will leave this hospital only when it starts serving the people”. The Young Lords are a group of militant Puerto Ricans structured like the Panther who were fighting or protesting for Latinx rights and equality. If equality towards Latinx individuals existed in the U.S., there wouldn’t be a need for groups like the Young Lords who are taking a stand in defending their pueblo. 


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