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Secondary #6 and Lacks #6

As I was reading the book, I came across many unanswered questions. But, the one that hit me the most is, was it ok to benefit from an unethical act? Specifically, I don’t feel as if the doctors treating Henrietta should have profited as much as they did. Henrietta’s family received nothing from her cells. It was stated many times in the book how Henrietta’s family still didn’t have healthcare and were still in poverty. The doctors took advantage of Henrietta’s poor family and benefited from an unethical act. In the article below, it talks about how doctors should inform their patients about everything they do. It is the morally right thing to do even if it means they won’t accept it. Also, it explains that doctors need to tell the patient whether they are going to recover or aren’t. 

https://www.mdlinx.com/internal-medicine/article/3734

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Secondary #5 and Lacks #5

In the book, I noticed that dehumanizing Black patients was very common in hospitals. I noticed that doctors did most of the dehumanizing. It was very common for doctors and almost expected of them to dehumanize Black patients. Back then, doctors thought that since they were more knowledgeable than people, it gave them the right to dehumanize others. They never fully explained what was wrong when a Black person came because they didn’t expect them to know. Others thought that Black people weren’t worthy of knowing what was happening to them. For example, the doctors knew that Henrietta cancer was dangerous, but, they never fully explained to her what it was. Also, the doctors didn’t explain to her the side effects of the radiation. She found out that she would be left unfertile after the radiation. It’s as if doctors where experimenting on her and not telling her. In the book, “Black and Blue: The Origins and Consequences of Medical Racism”, by John Hoberman, Hoberman talks about how doctors were corrupted with negative thoughts about Black people. Hoberman talks about how incorrect information affect diagnosis and treatments for Black patients. Doctors may operate wrongfully on a person due to their race.

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Secondary #4 and Lacks #4

In the beginning of the book, Skloot explains that Henrietta didn’t question the doctors and thought that she was in good hands. Even though they would send her home when she was complaining of severe pain. She would come back to the hospital and the same process would occur. They would inject her with something toxic and she would return to her normal life. Henrietta knew that something was wrong with her and yet she never questioned the doctors. I thought that relates to the abstract topic of self-deception. She believed that the doctors were helping her improve week by week. When in reality, she was becoming worse and worse. But, she always denied the truth. She never really told anyone that she was extremely sick. Everyone mostly played it off saying its in her head or just ignored her. I think that due to this situation, Henrietta was deceiving herself. Many people didn’t believe what she was saying which caused her to believe false statements. She didn’t realize that she was slowly getting worse than better. She just assumed that doctors were giving her the correct medication. For example, in the article, “The Case for Lying to Yourself”, explains that, “In some people, the tendency seems to be an inborn personality trait. Others may develop a habit of self-deception as a way of coping with problems and challenges.”(Shellenbarger) I think that Henrietta was lying to herself to avoid the actual consequences such as death. She was trying to avoid her problem as stated in the article.

https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10000872396390443343704577548973568243982

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Secondary #3 and Lacks #3

In the book, Skloot talks about how Henrietta didn’t finish school to help out at home. Skloot explains how Henrietta’s life experience set her up for a disadvantage when she was admitted into the hospital. In the book, Skloot concludes that, “She knew about harvesting tobacco and butchering a pig, but she'd never heard the words cervix or biopsy. She didn't read or write much, and she hadn't studied science in school. She, like most black patients, only went to Hopkins when she thought she had no choice.” Henrietta didn’t get the chance to continue studying because of her family condition. She dropped out of school to help with her family’s situation. Since her family came from poor roots, she decided to help her family out. Henrietta’s family was deep down in poverty which is why she decided to leave school. Poverty is still a very critical issue around the world. In the article below, it states that 11million people in the U.S. live in “food insecure homes”. This means that many parents are struggling to put food on the table which was the case for Henrietta and her family.

https://www.nokidhungry.org/who-we-are/hunger-facts?gclid=Cj0KCQiApt_xBRDxARIsAAMUMu_XTQ4HfHiCkKcPGWzez8ETHkJDex1eWappcj5ZVNhtbC7NH4Ji908aAvvREALw_wcB

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Secondary #2/Blog #2

A quote that I thought was interesting talks about how her daughter and family didn’t even get anything out of the cells. The scientists were the ones that mainly profited from this discovery. In the book, a quote that I thought was significant was, “Them doctors say her cells is so important and did all this and that to help people. But it didn't do no good for her, and it don't do no good for us. If me and my sister need something, we can't even go see a doctor cause we can't afford it.” The scientists that experimented on her cells didn’t even tell her family their plans for the cells. They did it in secret and benefited from their progress. In fact, Deborah didn’t know about her mothers cells until many years after her mom died. Deborah and the rest of the family still cant afford much.This makes me question society. Was Henrietta family unworthy of knowing the truth? Did scientists believe that since Henrietta came from Black roots, that it would be shameful to tell others where the cells actually came from? In the article that I found, it talks about how people who are in poverty or poor are usually looked down upon. This relates to the book because scientists didn’t feel the need to tell Henrietta’s family because they thought they weren’t worth it. 

https://www.theschooloflife.com/thebookoflife/why-we-look-down-on-people-who-dont-earn-very-much/

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Secondary Source #1/Blog #1

Throughout the book, I’ve realized that the author talks about how Henrietta’s life was affected by harsh segregation. In chapter 8, Skloot talks about how discrimination in hospitals was very common. Many hospitals didn’t accept African American’s because for their race. Henrietta had to transfer hospitals just so she can get the treatment that she needs. I found an article that relates to Henrietta in a way. In the article below, the author explains that she was treated unfairly because of her race. She explains that she had just woken up from surgery and states that she couldn’t really walk. The nurse responds with “You didn’t have surgery on your legs I don’t understand why you need assistance.” The way the nurse responds to the patient makes me think that racism is still happening in the world. 

https://www.oprahmag.com/life/health/a23100351/racial-bias-in-healthcare-black-women/

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Hope through words

I chose this picture not only because it’s extremely positive, but it has a much deeper meaning than just a rainbow and rain. When I read this quote, I am instantly reminded of the analogy that is incorporated in it. Lets start with, “If you want to see the rainbow”. What do I think of this? To me, this is referring to seeing results with anything. This quote reminds me of when I have something that I’m working hard for. Next, “You gotta put up with the rain”. The second part of this quote is what really completes it. It is basically stating that if you want to achieve your goals, you must go through unfortunate days or hard days in order to see the “rainbow” or, results. This quote is very inspiration because it gives the audience a sense of hope that can help someone who is struggling. I specificaly chose this quote because I can relate to it when I’m not feeling the greatest. Sometimes I just need something to push me to my limits when I feel like giving up. This quote represents the fact that if we want something, we have to push through the hard times in life in order to recieve the results that we want.

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A deep mysterious place

When I look at this picture, I feel all kinds of emotions. Relaxed, scared, but mainly anxious about what lies deep within. Everytime my family and I take a trip to the beach, I am always questioning what will happen if I were to be swept away with a wave. Maybe I’ll encounter creatures that are out of this world, but most importantly, who would save me? I guess that’s a questions that I’ll never have an answer to. And of course sharks are roaming this place everywhere. I always ask myself, what if I were to come across a shark? How would I react? Not a clue. The ocean has always been a place that I questioned whether I’ll be safe or not if I step foot in it. I am always terrified to step more than a few steps due to the strong waves that are waiting to drag me in. There are many creatures that I’m terrified of. I am always questioning whether a creature is going to drag me in or terrify me to death. In conclusion, the ocean has always been a mysterious place to me. 

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My ideal workspace

Whenever I’m doing my homework, I always organize my space so I don’t loose track of things. Even though it doesn’t look as aesthetic as this picture, I still manage to keep a clean space. This picture reminds me of doing my homework in a quiet coffee shop with my friends. I really enjoy doing my homework in a coffee shop because it helps me become more productive. The coffee shop also has calming music that helps me focus on my work. Also, seeing that other people are also there working inspires me to be more producitve overall. If I were to go to a coffee shop and do my homework there, this is what my ideal workspace would look like. Half finished coffee, earbuds, pencils, notebooks everywhere, and a computer. I really like how aesthetic this picture is. I’m really into being organized because it helps me stay on track of my homework. I really enjoy going to coffee shops because they are quiet and are a perfect place for studying since they offer food as well. 

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The Holidays

Ever since I was a little kid, I have loved the Holiday season greatly. It is truly the best time of year. Jackets, knitted scarfs, gloves, and most importantly, hot chocolate. All these winter items remind me of Christmas and the joy that it brings me. This picture gives me a sense of peace that I simply can’t describe. Whenever I drink hot chocolate, I instantly feel warm and happy inside. The mixture of the cold winter weather and hot chocolate are the perfect combination for me. Whenever I’m at home drinking hot chocolate, I am almost always tempted to sit down and watch a Christmas movie. This picture not only makes me feel happy and peaceful, but, it reminds me of the many times I’ve orderdered hot chocolate at the mall with my family. Every year during the holiday season, my family and I love going to the mall to drink hot chocolate. Many of you are probably wondering to yourselves, really, that’s what makes you happy? Yup. It’s one of the few things that really make me happy in life. The best part about going to the mall and drinking hot chocolate with my family is the feeling that I get. It makes me feel like everything will be ok and that I’m safe. I truly love this time of year because of the many family gatherings. I love hanging out with family members and trading gifts with them. Whether I’m at the mall or at home, the holiday season never fails to put a smile on my face.

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I have always loved going to the beach and watching the sunset. It makes me feel very relaxed and happy. I’ve always loved walking in the sand and swimming. Whenever I go to the beach, I always feel carefree and untroubled. Watching the sunset always seems to put me in a better mood and inspires me to be more productive. It also helps me slow down and appreciate the small things in life such as walking in the sand and the fresh air. Also, it makes me feel more satisfied with my life. Whenever I go to the beach and watch the sunset, I always play relaxing music and watch the sunset. Lastly, the beach is a place where me and my friends go to hangout and enjoy our time.

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What do I want from my education?

After reading the texts about education and understanding how education effects others, I have understood what I want from my education and what I want to do with it. It’s clear to me that my education can help me succeed but only to a certain degree. I think that my education can help me gain and retain more knowledge, but, to a certain extent. I think that I will struggle when it comes to the real world because education doesn’t really teach you about taxes and how to socialize with others. These are very important skills that people need to have in order to be able to successful in life. Although education might not be able to help someone do taxes, I still think that it can help me reach my goals. I think that my education can help me excel when it comes to the career that I’m choosing. Education can help me study the information needed to go into the career that I want to go into. Learning more information means gaining more knowledge. My education is very important to be because it can help me get into a good university and even can help me with getting a job. Lastly, education is needed to advance technologies and improve our future.