Video shows woman demand a 'white doctor' treat son at Mississauga, Ont., clinic

[Abdul]

Video shows woman demand a 'white doctor' treat son at Mississauga, Ont., clinic

'This is bad, this is inappropriate and shouldn't go unnoticed,' says witness who shot video.


A Mississauga, Ont., man is stunned after witnessing and filming a woman make several demands for a "white doctor" who "doesn't have brown teeth" and "speaks English" at his local walk-in clinic on Sunday.

Hitesh Bhardwaj recorded the incident while waiting for his own appointment at Rapid Access to Medical Specialists in Mississauga, Ont. He shared his video with CBC News.

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/RQKx315yPtk" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>​

Over the course of four minutes of video, a woman asks clinic staff several times for a "white doctor" to treat her son who she says has chest pains. When staff tell her that no such doctor is available, the woman gets angry and at one point says "being white in this country I should just shoot myself."

Woman demanding white doctor 'not an isolated incident,' says head of Ontario Medical Association.

"I saw a doctor that was not white that did not help my kid," says the woman in the video. "I would like to see a white doctor. You're telling me there isn't one white doctor in this whole entire building?"

CBC Toronto tried to identify the woman to give her a chance to respond to the video, but was unsuccessful as of Monday evening.

We've obscured her face in the video to protect the identity of her son.

Bhardwaj says that he started filming the incident after a woman sitting next to him asked the agitated woman why the doctor had to be white.

"I couldn't help but record the video," said Bhardwaj. "This is bad, this is inappropriate and shouldn't go unnoticed."

Bhardwaj said, as an immigrant to Canada himself, he's really proud to live here and "couldn't believe" what he saw.

"I couldn't stop thinking about it," Bhardwaj said. "The whole episode kept on repeating in my head, I was very upset. You know I can't even define the feeling."

'Everyday racism' resurfacing

Cheryl Teelucksingh, a sociology professor at Ryerson University, sees the incident as an example of the kind of "everyday racism" that is "beginning to resurface" in Canada.

She said some people are pointing to the election of U.S. President Donald Trump making people feel more comfortable saying things they normally wouldn't. But Teelucksingh thinks there's a more important factor: perceived multiculturalism, or the assumption by some Canadians that racial minorities are already treated equally across the country.

"I think people are feeling that there's a little bit more space now to question who's in positions of power, who's actually getting the jobs, those sorts of things," said Teelucksingh.

In response, Teelucksingh believes, non-white professionals will probably revert to demonstrating their credentials by saying things like "look I went to school this long and did this sort of speciality.

"They're legitimizing not just their place in their profession and workplace but their place within Canada. To say, look, I actually belong here and I have the right to practise my profession."

Witnesses at clinic step up

In addition to Bhardwaj, other people in the waiting room also confronted the woman in the clinic. In the video several of them try to get the woman to go to the hospital, to which she responds, "I was there and they only have brown doctors."

One female witness in the video, tells the woman that, "Your child clearly has more issues with you being his mother than him needing to see a doctor. You are extremely rude and racist."

Later in the exchange the woman accuses the witnesses of "attacking me because I'm white."

The fact that witnesses in the clinic stood up and spoke out against what the woman was saying is a good sign, Teelucksingh said.

"That sort of shows the broader societal values and that offers some hope," Teelucksingh told CBC Toronto.

Police respond to 'disturbance' at clinic

Peel Regional Police said they were called to the clinic just after 12:30 p.m. on Sunday for a "disturbance."

Const. Mark Fischer said a police officer spoke to "all involved" and afterward the woman's son was treated by a doctor at the clinic.

No allegations of threats or assault were brought forward by anyone involved and the matter is closed, according to police.

In a statement, Rapid Access to Medical Specialists said it "is proud of the quality of medical care provided at this clinic," but that "no one in the clinic has any comments for the media."

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/white-doctor-video-mississauga-1.4168199?cmp=rss

 

[Abdul]

Much respect to girl for stepping in.

 

[Robert]

What a sad and frightened lady. Unfortunately she will transfer her fear into her son.

 

[Saeed]

What a great mom, would she still wait for a White doctor if her child needed help immediately?

 

[Gilly]

I'm quite happy to any doctor at my clinic but you do get people that want to see doctors of their own race or even some women that refuse to see a male doctor, its a personal choice.

 

[Madplayer]

I'm quite happy to any doctor at my clinic but you do get people that want to see doctors of their own race or even some women that refuse to see a male doctor, its a personal choice.

How is feeling comfortable with a male or female doctor equivalent to racism? It can be gender discrimination if one thinks that a female doc cant be good enough. On the other hand if a man feels more comfortable talking about his ailment with a male doc, that is completely justified. Yes, Wanting a white doctor is a personal choice but it is a racist choice nevertheless.

 

[Gilly]

How is feeling comfortable with a male or female doctor equivalent to racism? It can be gender discrimination if one thinks that a female doc cant be good enough. On the other hand if a man feels more comfortable talking about his ailment with a male doc, that is completely justified. Yes, Wanting a white doctor is a personal choice but it is a racist choice nevertheless.

So what if someone wants to see a doctor of their own race, its their choice. Call it what you want but its not a bad thing. Some people want to marry only someone of their own race, some people only want to socialise with their own race. Its all racism but its not hurting anybody and its a basic human right to make your own choices.

 

[Madplayer]

So what if someone wants to see a doctor of their own race, its their choice. Call it what you want but its not a bad thing. Some people want to marry only someone of their own race, some people only want to socialise with their own race. Its all racism but its not hurting anybody and its a basic human right to make your own choices.

How is it not a bad thing? It is making the other guy feel inferior. It doesnt stop there and it spreads its wings to other areas of social interaction. It promotes discrimination on basis of colour. Hiring people for jobs on basis of colour must also be "harmless racism" then?

 

[Gilly]

How is it not a bad thing? It is making the other guy feel inferior. It doesnt stop there and it spreads its wings to other areas of social interaction. It promotes discrimination on basis of colour. Hiring people for jobs on basis of colour must also be "harmless racism" then?

99.9% of people are racist that we can agree on.

Now before you go on a rampage about this woman read the whole article and tell us about the first doctor she first took her son to. If she was such a bad racist why did she take her son to a brown doctor first.

 

[ExpressPacer]

Don't know why people are making such a big deal out of this. I remember visiting Shifa hospital with my grandmother a few years ago and there was some lady arguing with the faculty about how she didn't want to be treated by a Hindu doctor. Read about a similar occurrence in India recently but the faiths were reversed. People are like this everywhere. Its human nature.

 

[JaDed]

Imho she shouldn't had made a big issue out of it,just gone to another walk in clinic and get a white doctor,it almost looks like she wanted her discrimination/objection publicized or known.

 

[Madplayer]

99.9% of people are racist that we can agree on.

Now before you go on a rampage about this woman read the whole article and tell us about the first doctor she first took her son to. If she was such a bad racist why did she take her son to a brown doctor first.

To ask the brown doctor to take her to a white doctor.

 

[troodon]

Lot of people like to visit female only doctors or Hindu doctors or Indian doctors where they feel most comfortable.

This is not just an isolated case.

People even marry only into their own religion, caste, Language. It's just preference. It may not be right, but it's their choice.

I know women who only date black men or white men. They don't even give a second thought to a brown or Asian guy even if they are handsome and eligible or even better than their white and black counterparts.

 

[WC-Passion]

What an idiot, first discriminating for the colour of someone skin and then making a big fuss about it and not going to another hospital/clinic.

 

[www787]

99.9% of people are racist that we can agree on.

Now before you go on a rampage about this woman read the whole article and tell us about the first doctor she first took her son to. If she was such a bad racist why did she take her son to a brown doctor first.

Right now, you're coming off as racist and trying hard to justify her racist act.

 

[Specialisttailender]

Imho she shouldn't had made a big issue out of it,just gone to another walk in clinic and get a white doctor,it almost looks like she wanted her discrimination/objection publicized or known.

There are only few hospitals and clinics don't take care of emergency issues. Mississauga and BRampton has only one hospital each, and Toronto has 6 or 7 only. The wait time is long. If you break your hand, expect to spend 12 to 20 hours at the hospital. This is the downside of "free healthcare". If you have tumor, your specialist appoint won't be until another 4 months by this time you may have a full blown out cancer. If you have decent money then Indian private hospitals are way better. There are also far less doctors here and nurses outnumber doctors. Nurses here act like doctors (big head) and being a doctor is like a luxury job at hospitals unless you have a private clinic(free but government will pay for the patients). But in clinic, max they will do is give you anti biotics when you have a bad fever or else they send you to emergency for every other thing. Stomach pain - emergency(GH), fracture your small toe - emergency(GH).

More rant about nurse, doctors are very humble but nurses act like they are the saviours/Ceo of hospitals. Nursing is a 4 year process while MBBS is a 10- years process.

 

[Specialisttailender]

Don't know why people are making such a big deal out of this. I remember visiting Shifa hospital with my grandmother a few years ago and there was some lady arguing with the faculty about how she didn't want to be treated by a Hindu doctor. Read about a similar occurrence in India recently but the faiths were reversed. People are like this everywhere. Its human nature.

Different countries have different expectations. Your story about "similar occurrence in India' is made up and you know that. My doctors are viewed as saviours and no one disrespects another doctor for their religion.

 

[Specialisttailender]

She married a non-white guy how can she be racist ? She should have said "bring me a doctor that can speak English". White people here think Chinese and Indian doctors are better than White doctors. We think otherwise. Crazy.

 

[www787]

There are only few hospitals and clinics don't take care of emergency issues. Mississauga and BRampton has only one hospital each, and Toronto has 6 or 7 only. The wait time is long. If you break your hand, expect to spend 12 to 20 hours at the hospital. This is the downside of "free healthcare". If you have tumor, your specialist appoint won't be until another 4 months by this time you may have a full blown out cancer. If you have decent money then Indian private hospitals are way better. There are also far less doctors here and nurses outnumber doctors. Nurses here act like doctors (big head) and being a doctor is like a luxury job at hospitals unless you have a private clinic(free but government will pay for the patients). But in clinic, max they will do is give you anti biotics when you have a bad fever or else they send you to emergency for every other thing. Stomach pain - emergency(GH), fracture your small toe - emergency(GH).

More rant about nurse, doctors are very humble but nurses act like they are the saviours/Ceo of hospitals. Nursing is a 4 year process while MBBS is a 10- years process.

Mississauga has only one hospital? Unbelievable

 

[ExpressPacer]

Different countries have different expectations. Your story about "similar occurrence in India' is made up and you know that. My doctors are viewed as saviours and no one disrespects another doctor for their religion.

If you like living in a fools paradise then so be it but I read about it in the newspaper.

 

[Specialisttailender]

If you like living in a fools paradise then so be it but I read about it in the newspaper.

Yes everything that comes on newspaper is true. Indians don't give a damn about which religion is their doctor from. We are not religiously fanatic country as a whole. Just few idiots in Gujarat, Mumbai and UP. They don't represent rest of us just because they give importance to those states.

 

[ExpressPacer]

Yes everything that comes on newspaper is true. Indians don't give a damn about which religion is their doctor from. We are not religiously fanatic country as a whole. Just few idiots in Gujarat, Mumbai and UP. They don't represent rest of us just because they give importance to those states.

First of all, it is just not Gujarat, Bombay and UP and you and I both are aware of that. Secondly, even if it were ONE village in India that was intolerant with regards to religion, your statement of India being free of religious fundamentalism would be false. And lastly, all the things that you guys bark about Pakistan ALSO comes in the newspaper so please be fair.

 

[Pakistanian]

So what if someone wants to see a doctor of their own race, its their choice. Call it what you want but its not a bad thing. Some people want to marry only someone of their own race, some people only want to socialise with their own race. Its all racism but its not hurting anybody and its a basic human right to make your own choices.

lol @ "personal choice" and racism being a "human right". The only "human rights" racists believe in are their own rights. This is mostly likely a publicly funded hospital in Canada and like most Canadians she must have state sponsored healthcare, govts are equal opportunity employers and don't fulfil racist personal requests. If she doesn't want to see a brown doctor and that too in Mississauga which is a city known for it's south Asian and middle eastern population, then she should buy her own insurance plan and hire her a doctor of her choice, but she most probably can't afford that option.

 

[Pakistanian]

What's funny is that white supremacists don't mind being served by people of color as long as it's free, they've enslaved millions of black and brown people for many centuries, so being served by a person of color isn't the issue. They just don't want their money going to people of color, as in this case, this lady doesn't want her tax money going to "brown doctors".

 

[Saeed]

I'm quite happy to any doctor at my clinic but you do get people that want to see doctors of their own race or even some women that refuse to see a male doctor, its a personal choice.

If I am not wrong her son needed a doctor not her. What if her son's health condition got worse because she prefers a white doctor?

 

[Gilly]

If I am not wrong her son needed a doctor not her. What if her son's health condition got worse because she prefers a white doctor?

If you read the story she did have a brown doctor see her son but he did not help her son.

 

[Gilly]

Right now, you're coming off as racist and trying hard to justify her racist act.

And you come off as ignorant and unable to comprehend reality.

 

[Syed1]

Well if she is living in Mississauga and hoping to be this racist then good luck lady. I think Urdu is the most widely spoken language in Sauga after English. This lady has a very uphill task in looking for white people to provide services to her. I wish her the best of luck. If she wants white all around her she can move to Burlington, but considering her social status and the level of education she is displaying she probably won't be able to afford a week's rent there.

 

[kingusama92]

Well if she is living in Mississauga and hoping to be this racist then good luck lady. I think Urdu is the most widely spoken language in Sauga after English. This lady has a very uphill task in looking for white people to provide services to her. I wish her the best of luck. If she wants white all around her she can move to Burlington, but considering her social status and the level of education she is displaying she probably won't be able to afford a week's rent there.

Exactly.

Of all the places to live she chose Mississauga. One of the most multicultural cities in the GTA.

 

[Saeed]

If you read the story she did have a brown doctor see her son but he did not help her son.

I did read the story and that what she is claiming. Who knows what really happened. She could have simply said she wants another Doctor, why bring brown or white into it?

 

[Gilly]

I did read the story and that what she is claiming. Who knows what really happened. She could have simply said she wants another Doctor, why bring brown or white into it?

Exactly, it could be a false flag and she never even mentioned brown or white but just wanted to see another doctor. Either way its her choice to see whatever doctor she wants.