The new face of discrimination?

by Laura Garber, Hamilton

Is this the new face of discrimination?

I did not get the COVID vaccine. Even though this information should be a part of my private medical record, protected by law, I chose to tell you. I want you to know because I am curious about what your reaction will be. I’m guessing that some of you probably think I am a (fill in the blank), or a (fill in the blank). You might even assume I am (fill in the blank)! You may blame me, or you may applaud me for my decision to refrain from getting a COVID vaccine.

But did anyone stop to really listen before calling me a (fill in the blank), or making an assumption about me because of this private medical information that I shared with you? Did you judge me and put me into a category or assign me to a ‘side’? Maybe you know me personally and are surprised or shocked with my disclosure. But are you listening, is there space in your thinking for the ‘Why’ of my private choice? In this moment in the USA, we seem to have forgotten to listen, so I hope you’ll hear me now.

Back in 1976, my grandfather was one of just 56 people who died after receiving the new flu vaccine. His death was avoidable. By the time he received the shot it was already known that it caused anaphylactic shock, and death, in certain individuals. Instead of suing the pharmaceutical company for wrongful death (back then it was still possible to hold the vaccine manufacturer liable when its product caused injury or death), my grandmother took her loss, her knowledge, and her cause to the United States Congress. Through her testimony and that of others, the swine flu vaccine was recognized as dangerous to public health and its distribution to the US population was halted.  

Back when I was a little kid in the late 1970’s, I received a course of vaccinations, as recommended by the pediatrician. After leaving her office, my mom and I stopped at ShopKo. I remember walking down the aisle flapping my arm around, wondering at the strange sensation moving down my arm. Within a few minutes, I had lost all feeling in my arm, from the injection site down to the tips of my fingers. By the time we got home, I had developed a fever. Later, I spiked such a high fever that my body went into convulsions – like a seizure. (This is the brain’s way of trying to protect itself from high body temperature, which can cause brain damage.)

I remember looking up into the eyes of the EMT as the ambulance rocked back and forth on its high-speed journey to the hospital. He kept telling me to stay awake. Then I remember the bright lights in the ER, and nurses talking loudly to me, again telling me to stay awake. I remember my mother crying.

Because of the vaccine reaction, my body is a little less robust, and a little more fragile. My grandfather died from a vaccine, and vaccines damaged me in ways that I can never fully recover from. So, I never want to have another shot in my life!  

Does my story jive with the (fill in the blank) you had assumed me to be? I am telling you my private medical history. I want you to hear my story because I hope you will realize that each and every one of us has our own history – our own story. Instead of thinking I am a (fill in the blank), or calling me (fill in the blank), please recognize that I am a person, just like you. My body and my medical history are mine, yours are yours. I am not better than you and you’re not better than me. I am not part of the problem, and I really hope you are not either.  

Please, let’s all stop making assumptions, stop naming and blaming, and stop vilifying each other. We must stop being ‘Us’ and ‘Them’, we must stop making people the ‘Other’. The problem is not you or me, or what I did get or did not get. The problem is really how and why are we letting ourselves be divided!? When did we become just ‘Me’ and stop being ‘We’? Why are we letting COVID and vaccines tear our country, our communities, and our families apart? Why do we call each other (fill in the blank) when really we are all just trying to do what we think is best?  

This moment wants to show us how to be kind and how to care. It’s trying to show us compassion and tolerance, to have empathy and to care for our planet. This is our chance to unite as one human family, to protect each other, to restore our Earth home, and to finally be ‘We’ again.  

Please, listen to me, listen to each other, and let go of blame. Please, see me for just me and remember we are all related, all connected and interdependent. Please, let’s give each other the benefit of the doubt. Let’s acknowledge each other and know we all want good things, to be safe, healthy, loved, and happy.

Please can WE come back together?!