A Black Feminist Reckons with Anti-Black Racism in the Medical-Industrial Complex
by Lois Clark-Johnston
On Sunday, March 1, 2026, I had a deeply frightening experience of anti-Black racism in the Emergency (ER) department at Corewell Health Livonia. To convey the gravity of this matter, it may help to rewind to a few weeks ago.
I am sharing my story because anti-Black racism in medicine kills."
On February 18, 2026, I was initially diagnosed with a concussion in the Emergency (ER) department at Corewell Health Livonia.
Due to increasing, rather than decreasing symptoms, I followed up with my neurologist at the Michigan Institute for Neurological Disorders on Friday, February 27, 2026, which is when I was diagnosed with Post-Concussive Syndrome, and scheduled for an electroencephalogram (EEG) on Monday, March 2, 2026, and an MRI for March, 9, 2026.
I was told by my doctor to return to the same ER that diagnosed me if the pain got worse or if I fell again. I was told that a CAT scan would need to be repeated because my autoimmune condition puts me at greater risk of a slow brain bleed that can be hard to catch on an initial CAT scan.
In fact, the neurologist had fit me in due to my severe symptoms, as there were issues getting some of my prescriptions filled, so I was given Nurtec samples, which mostly kept the pain in my head under control until I fell again.
On March 1, 2026, I returned to the ER at Corewell Health Livonia, as per my neurologist's orders because I had passed out again and fallen hard while dealing with Post-Concussive Syndrome.
When my husband and I arrived at the ER, there was no one in the waiting room. The staff were standing around, talking and laughing at the intake area.
I walked up to the intake window to explain why I was there.
As I was explaining to the intake nurse the circumstances that led to my return to the ER, she became agitated when I explained that I did not get all of the medication that had been called into the pharmacy at my earlier appointment. She asked me if I had followed up with the doctor's office and I explained that they are closed over the weekend. She told me that I needed to reach out to their answering service before being seen in the ER.
I refused, explaining that I had passed out and would have needed to return to the ER to ensure that there were no additional complications following my fall anyway. The intake nurse angrily said she noted in my chart that I refused to call my neurologist before seeking ER help.
I was immediately placed in a room given how few patients were in the ER. When the physician's assistant (PA) came into my room, I explained that I have an autoimmune condition, and have been recently diagnosed with Post-Concussive Syndrome, after which, I passed out, and fell hard, which is why I had returned to the ER for medication and a CAT scan, as per my neurologist's orders. The PA checks my head for possible bumps and then announces that I will be given less medication than at my initial treatment because, "This is just to take the edge off the pain."
For context, I was not given a neurological exam, nor did I see a doctor, or get asked if I had lost consciousness after the fall.
Once the PA left, the nurse came in to place the IV.
I explained that my autoimmune condition necessitates that I lie down, given my fragile health. When I lie back, the nurse was looking at my veins on the underside of my forearm. I assumed that she would ask before sticking me as that was how it had been done on my previous visit.
Instead, suddenly and using great force, the nurse placed an IV in my forearm on the top of my arm.
She tells me that I have IV trauma because I have thick skin."
I am in shock from the pain of the assault of her placing the IV like that.
I had visible veins in my hands and below my inner wrist.
It was brutal, unnecessary, and extremely painful to place the IV on the top of my arm like that.
I expressed repeatedly to the nurse that it hurt very badly and the nurse acknowledged that I was already bruising.
My husband was upset and told her I did not have thick skin, but my autoimmune condition means I am fragile and easily bruised.
Skin on the top of the arm is thick on all humans, not just Black humans. This is why IVs are typically placed where the skin is thinner so that the needle can penetrate the skin without too much force. I have no medical training, but I know that. The nurse placing the IV knew that too.
It is a well known and common racist myth that Black people have thick skin and do not feel pain like other patients. I was given less medication than I needed to relieve my symptoms. Great force was used during IV placement because it was believed I have "thick" skin. This is textbook medical racism, as commonly experienced by Black patients."
I was not given a printout of my visit when I left, like I was on my first visit, so I did not realize that critical information had been left out of my chart until I could see what was posted in MyChart online the next day.
I believe I was not given a copy because the report of my visit was inaccurate. Nowhere in that report does it mention Post-Concussive Syndrome or that I passed out and fell again. I was not even listed as being seen for concussion symptoms. I am listed as being seen for an acute headache.
I came in because I was concerned about a possible brain bleed from falling with Post-Concussive Syndrome, given my discussion with the neurologist who diagnosed me.
All of my doctors are through Corewell Health. My health conditions are all listed prominently in my medical chart. I was given substandard care because I am Black. I believe the intake nurse decided that I did not need to be seen in the ER and the medical staff followed her guidelines and ignored their due diligence. I could have died from a brain bleed of which they were well aware. My autoimmune condition which I discussed with the PA was not even noted in my chart. This was deliberately and maliciously done by the staff at this facility.
I have a large, deep, painful bruise on my forearm. It is about the size of the palm of my hand.
I have been icing it, but the pain has impacted my sleep.
The worst part about this is due to my autoimmune condition, that vein will no longer be strong enough to handle an IV. That kind of trauma is why it is extremely difficult for me to receive and maintain an IV. I have delicate veins, and a medical facility should know and respect that.
Instead, my autoimmune condition was weaponized by the staff in an anti-Black way to make my visit as uncomfortable and unsafe as possible. I am deeply concerned about the longterm impact of this anti-Black racism on my health.
What are these employees being taught if they feel comfortable enough to openly state that Black patients have thick skin? Was my IV placement extra traumatic because the nurse assumed my skin was thick and used too much force? Why would a PA check my head for possible contusions but not follow-up with scheduling a CAT scan for a patient with my medical history? Why were my stated reasons for seeing ER care not noted in my medical records?
This impacts billing and the charting of the severity of my medical conditions.
It is important that my medical records match my actual experience.
I have been harmed by this interaction in ways that can reverberate to impacting my diagnosis, as my medical record does not currently reflect that I passed out on Monday, March 1, 2026, with diagnosed Post-Concussive Syndrome and increased severity in migraine pain. My medical records need to reflect what I verbally told the doctor during my visit.
There is no excuse for me receiving substandard medical care.
I want to reiterate that I could have had a brain bleed.
In fact, I still could, so the gross negligence of the care I received at that facility could cause worsening problems for me in the future.
I need to include the history of why this view impacted my care during this visit, as Black patients deal with systemic racism in the medical system. It leads to misdiagnosis, inadequate treatment, higher mortality rates, etc., which is why staff need to be better educated about this.
As can be seen from the study below, even when Black physicians navigate the medical-industrial complex, they experience discrimination:
This inequity comes from anti-Black racism, defined as “racism which is rooted in the history and experience of enslavement, that is targeted against Black people, and people of African descent.”
I am formally requesting the names and identifying information I need on the PA, the 2 nurses who treated me, and the intake nurse. I want to file a complaint with the State of Michigan licensing boards. Those medical professionals need to be monitored so they do not harm other vulnerable patients.
Anti-Black racism in medicine kills.
While Krystal continues to offer free spots, her monthly Disability Justice workshops are made possible by donations from paid Ko-fi subscribers, so please consider supporting her DJ work here, if able to contribute financially.
If new to her virtual spaces, she gives registrants the 1st 5 minutes to arrive before starting, but generally continues to let folx in until the end. Usually, materials are emailed at least a day before, should advance access aid with feeling comfortable to participate. Attendees are welcome to engage on their own terms, i.e., with no implicit expectation of being on camera, communicating verbally or in the chat, etc. Around the halfway point, up to a 15-minute-long break is facilitated, after which participants are invited to explore a writing prompt during designated quiet time of 10-20 minutes, depending on preferences. Once the timer ends, participants are invited to share what they wrote or discuss how the process went for them, based on capacity, comfort, interest, vibes, etc. Throughout the workshop, Krystal's approach is consent-based, i.e., folx are encouraged to read slides, share feedback, etc., and only those who volunteer to do so are invited to engage further, as there is no pressure to participate beyond one's capacity.
If able to contribute to Krystal's survival following her ex's financial abuse of at least $183,364, which further disabled her, alongside white supremacist workplace trauma, e-transfers within "Canada" may be sent to krystaljagoo@gmail.com and funds may be sent via PayPal below, so please consider supporting her! 🙏🏾
BTW, on the off chance that you are looking for a gifted equity practitioner and educator for virtual services like writing, facilitation, and consulting, you are welcome to peruse her CV below, and explore her services here.
Post a comment