Excuse Me Mr. Hughley & Ms. Kaling

Interesting how sickle cell disease continues to be a joke when we all know it's anything but. If you're laughing with D.L. Hughley and Mindy Kaling, then you don't know a Sickle Cell Warrior or caregiver personally. 

Let me set the record straight: 

SICKLE CELL DISEASE IS NOT A JOKE.

Period.

I could leave it at that, but I won't. Ask anyone that knows someone affected by it. At any given time, our own bodies renounce us at the cellular level. This leaves us with, at the least, debilitating pain, and at the extreme, death. And guess what? It never ends. It will never stop. We will never grow out of it. It will continue to get worse until our bodies can't take it anymore. 

So, tell me, how is this something to joke about? 

Let's address the most common misconceptions. 
  • Sickle Cell is NOT just a black disease. 
    • While it is true that the most affected people are of African descent, it is thought to be a genetic adaptation to offset malaria. 
    • Malaria is common in areas that are close to the equator. 
    • Any peoples that have originated in that area may carry the trait. When traits combine a form of sickle cell is created. 
    • Yes, you can be white and have sickle cell disease and/or the trait. Genetics are passed down through DNA and is not dependent upon the color of your skin.
  • Sickle Cell is not a sign of weakness. 
    • If you know someone with this disease, then you know it is not for the faint of heart. 
    • My fellow Sickle Cell Warriors are some of the strongest people I have ever met. 
    • We are resilient.
I'm not going to post a link to the disrespectful utterings of these comedians. Their ignorance is the reason why it is difficult to get the medical community to stop stereotyping us. Their words hurt the goals we are desperately trying to achieve. Their beliefs about sickle cell are misguided and malign our efforts to LIVE.

Par to the course, I have not heard one apology yet. Go figure. 

For your viewing pleasure I am including Dr. Z's Ted Talk about Sickle Cell Disease in case you'd like to learn more from a leading expert in the field. 


--> Click here to learn more about Sickle Cell Disease from the CDC
--> SCDAA's response to joke used on Velma

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