Photo Source: ABC Studios
On this week’s episode of Blackish we deal with a few issues that, as a kid, I have actually had to deal with. Even as an adult I still feel that way towards doctors and medicine. I guess because growing up, my parents didn’t take us to the doctor for every cold and tummy ache we had. Most often we were told to go lay down and take a nap, or the famous “do you have to poop” question. Our mom was the doctor and the nurse and nothing was ever so wrong with you that a nap and Tylenol couldn’t cure. And that brings us to Dre.
We enter into the show with Dre and Bow at the Dr.’s office and he has just been told that he is now a type 2 diabetic. This shocks Dre, apparently, but not so much Bow. And well let’s face it she is a Dr. So, the Dr then asks him if he had any symptoms that go along with diabetes, such as thirst, fatigue, and frequent trips to the bathroom. He replies no as he is actually coming out of the bathroom in the office of the Dr. Even with this new information, we can kinda see that Dre is not really taking it seriously and he heads to work while Bow gets his instructions from the Dr.
The next scene we cut into is Dre entering into the conference room at work and he lets his coworkers know what the Dr has said. And one of his coworkers makes a remark about him already having diabetes because he is black. Now, with that being said, it is not really a stereotype because high blood pressure, heart disease and diabetes run rampant among African-Americans because of our diet. And well let’s say it is one of the main reasons Dre has it. However, instead of taking his medicine and checking his blood sugar, he follows his dad’s advice and opts out of his medicine. Insisting that he is going to rid his body of diabetes the “natural” way. But little does he know, there actually isn’t a cure for it.
At this point, Dre is juicing and fasting and doing all these quick fixes to avoid doing as the Dr instructed. Pretty doing anything and everything to avoid taking the medicine. While he was at a work party he passes out. And Bow realizes that he is not doing what he needs to do. She tells him that he could potentially die if he doesn’t take his medicine and take care of himself. Still rejecting the idea that he can cure it he chooses to remain on the “my body is a temple” path and fasting can cure most anything. Wrong lol.
While all of this is going on, we have Junior, Diane, and Jack trying to figure out why the baby Devonte hates Jack for some reason. So, Junior and Diane, being the awesome siblings that they are try to help him to win over their baby brother. Which, Jack, actually does but at the cost of Junior and baby Devonte’s relationship. And it was all because Jack was able to make baby Devonte smile. Now, having 4 siblings of my own, we never vied for the attention of each other. It was always more like get away. I really believe Diane, is my spirit creature.
After the party, Dre is resting and he has what we could say is a nightmare meets Christmas carol and his dad is the ghost of future. Dre has died and he is seeing how his family is living without them and that they are actually doing better than when he was the dad. Bow has remarried, to Rick Fox no less, and Diane is a such a sweet girl. She states how she has changed since her real dad died. By this point, Dre is in shock and tears and crying like a little girl. Then his dad tells him he should have taken his medicine. But this is after his dad told him not to take it. Dre wakes up screaming and has come to the conclusion that being there for his family is more important than having to prick his finger and take medicine. The thing that matters most is that he is there for as long as he can be. And that the little prick he has to make is totally worth it in the end.
So many times, we as African-Americans, can leave things to the last-minute. Including our health. Especially our health. Going to the doctor is just something that you didn’t do unless it was almost a life or death situation. Having it being ingrained in us as children it is no wonder that as adults we do the same things as Dre does. Not taking medicine that is prescribed or simply not being able to afford medical care. What I liked especially is that even though he hated to do it, he chose his family above all else. It is amazing what we will do for our family and loved one. Even pricking our fingers.
