Medical Journal Promotes Segregating Med Students Based on Race, Accused of Promoting Racism.

The New England Journal of Medicine Advocates for Racially-Segregated Medical Education

The prestigious New England Journal of Medicine is facing backlash for publishing an academic article that proposes racially-segregated medical education. The article, written by seven authors from the University of California, San Francisco, argues that medical education has historically centered on white learners and perpetuated structural racism. Their solution? Racial affinity group caucuses (RAGCs), which involve grouping participants according to self-identified racial or ethnic identity to support antiracism curricula integration into clinical practice.

The Problem with Racial Segregation in Medical Education

The Do No Harm activist group has criticized the NEJM for endorsing racial segregation in medical education. They argue that this sends a concerning message about the priorities and principles of the most prestigious journal in American medicine. Moreover, racial segregation in medical education is generally considered an illegal violation of Title VI’s prohibition of discrimination/segregation on the basis of race, color, or national origin. It’s a major step backward to the racial segregation of the past.

Experts Speak Out Against Racial Segregation

• Dr. Stanley Goldfarb: The leader of Do No Harm questions how such offensive language made it past the gatekeepers of the NEJM. He suggests that divisive and highly politicized pieces like this might be worsening the crisis, in addition to moving medical education toward segregation.

• Mark Perry: The economics professor points out that racial segregation in medical education is generally considered an illegal violation of Title VI’s prohibition of discrimination/segregation on the basis of race, color, or national origin. It’s a major step backward to the racial segregation of the past.

• Geoffrey Miller: The psychology professor argues that promoting neo-segregationism and institutionalized identity politics is promoting actual racism.

• Christina Hoff Sommers: The author of “War Against Boys” and “Who Stole Feminism” laments the NEJM’s shift away from serious, grown-up discourse.