Click above to see a letter written by Charles Drew about the reasons for the lack of "Negro Physicians" and inequality of opportunities after World War II.
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Taking a Stand for African American Doctors
Click above to read letters written by Dr. Charles Drew to the American Medical Association about.
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Taking a Stand to Stop DiscriminationThroughout his professional life, Drew fought racism and applied science to prove that racism is not right. During those times, “white” blood donors thought that blood from “black” donors was not safe for “white” patients. Drew tried to explain to the public that both races “shared a common blood” from the “giver of life.” Drew and his medical colleagues knew that blood was only different in type and not race. Even though he was not able to contribute by donating blood because of his race, he helped many injured people receive blood through his leadership skills and perseverance.
In 1941, Charles Drew took a stand against the American Medical Association, an organization that was crucial for doctors to succeed in the medical field. Being a part of this association gave doctors access to use new technology and advanced resources. African American doctors, including Charles Drew, missed these great opportunities because they were not allowed membership. Drew wrote letters in protest but had no success. Many other medical associations and organizations rejected membership to “black” doctors during this time. It was not until after his death in 1950 that “black” doctors were allowed to join. In 1944, he received the National Association for the Achievement of Colored People’s Spingarn Medal, in recognition of this blood research and mentoring African American doctors. When he accepted the award he made his first public speech against the segregation of blood. Drew said “colored and ‘white’ people’s blood” where no different. Many people had negative reactions to Drew’s comments. This same year he was part of a protest against racial discrimination and he said blood racism is “a source of great damage to the morale of the ‘Negro’ people.”
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The US National program began in 1941 and only accepted “white” blood donors. The US War Department ordered, “for reasons not biologically convincing but which are recognized as psychologically important in America, it is not deemed advisable to collect and mix Caucasian and ‘Negro’ blood indiscriminately for later administration to the military forces.”
The families of African American soldiers were sometimes rejected when they attempted to donate blood for their family members in the war. Injured African American soldiers were promised that “black” donors would be found for them, but this never occurred and blood from “white” donors was administered to “black” soldiers. Segregation in the US Military ended after 1954. In the fall of 1942, Drew wrote an article in the Chicago Defender to dispute all false and ignorant claims regarding interracial blood transfusions saying “only extensive education can overcome this prejudice.” He denounced the U.S. Army and Navy’s decision to continue segregation during World War II. He also thought that their decision to ban “black” blood donors was a “grievous mistake, a stupid error.” |