MHST 631: Unit 1 - My Positionality

As a white, heterosexual female, my identity and experiences have significantly shaped my worldview and interactions. Growing up white, I have benefited from systemic privileges associated with my race. This privilege has afforded me opportunities and access that may not be as readily available to individuals from marginalized racial backgrounds.

Being female, I have navigated societal expectations and gender norms that have influenced my personal and professional life. While I have faced challenges related to gender bias, I also recognize the progress made towards gender equality and the importance of continuing this work.

As a heterosexual individual, I have experienced societal acceptance and privileges that come with conforming to the dominant sexual orientation. This has shielded me from the discrimination, violence, and challenges faced by those in the LGBTQ+ community.

Living with type 1 diabetes, I have faced unique health challenges that require constant management and vigilance. This chronic illness has shaped my understanding of healthcare systems, the importance of medical support, and the resilience required to manage a lifelong condition.  I have also experienced negative bias from healthcare professionals that make assumptions that I live an unhealthy lifestyle simply because of my diabetes diagnosis.

Holding a senior leadership position in a healthcare organization, I have gained insights into the complexities of healthcare delivery, policy, and administration. This role has allowed me to advocate for patient care, support healthcare professionals, and contribute to the improvement of healthcare systems which I love.  This intimate knowledge of our healthcare system allows me to navigate the healthcare system more easily for my own health than someone who works outside of the healthcare system. 

Coming from a middle-class background, I have had access to quality education, healthcare, and other resources that have contributed to my personal and professional development. I have access to clean drinking water and nutritious food which has contributed to my overall health and ability to manage my diabetes. I can afford the latest technology and medicine to treat my chronic illness.  My socioeconomic status has also shaped my understanding of class dynamics and the disparities that exist within society however I acknowledge that I see this from my privileged vantage point which limit my understanding of those living in poverty.

Using the Coin Model of privilege and critical allyship described by Nixon (2019) to describe my own positionality, I sit a top of many coins (racism, classism, settle colonialism and heterosexism) and on the bottom of a few (sexism, ableism).  I am excited to learn more about how my actions may be unintentionally contributing to upholding these social constructs so that I can become a better healthcare professional and more meaningfully contribute to the health of my community and reduction of health inequity.

• Kimberly

References

Nixon, S. A. (2019). The coin model of privilege and critical allyship: Implications for health. BMC Public Health, 19(1), 1-13. https://bmcpublichealth.biomedcentral.com/track/pdf/10.1186/s12889-019-7884-9.pdf