It is vital that we do not overstate the case for the non-white
activist doctors, admirable as it may be.
The most important point is that the pressure was brought to bear by
the grassroots of whatever colour.
The majority of DFI members are white, for example.
The contrast is striking. The BMA embraced the upheaval hook, line
and sinker to start with. The Overseas Doctors Asociation (ODA) and
the Small Practices Association (SPA) have been totally silent to date.
The ODA is, of course, dominated by knighthood-seeking 'honourary
whites'. Even the LMCs took up the call *after* pressure was put upon
them by grassroots.
It took a risk-taking enfant terrible like me to detonate and ignite
the chain reaction of protest. My 'colour' had nothing to do with it.
What does that all mean? It means that the need for establishing
mechanisms and safeguards for doctors at the coal face still remains.
It means that the campaign to establish The Doctors Union will
continue. Never again do I wish to see the profession sold cheap.
Transparent, democratic, accountable, and most of all, strong union
of a community of trust and a society of learned colleagues is what I
am after.
The 'establishment', very clever and manipulative as ever, is also
pretty predictable. Bet you anything that at first, attempts will be
made to discredit me. Meanwhile, bet you anything that a veeeery
subtle bribe is gonna come my way soon. It may take different forms,
but come it will. It may even have already begun ;-)
Keep up the pressure, do not take any prisoners!
Ahmad
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Dr Ahmad Risk
http://mednetics.org
home: +44 1273 724866
work: +44 1737 240022
fax: +44 1737 244660
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