‘Unmasked!’ Tenn. doctor, James Turner, says calling black patient ‘Aunt Jemima’ was a ‘misspoken blunder’ – Lexi Carter said his persistent use of the derogatory, demeaning, and racist term was intentional
Oh dear,
James Turner thinks being innately and blatantly racist is just a minor matter of being ‘unfortunately’ getting caught in the act. Go figure’
Lexi Carter is furious with her doctor after he called her “Aunt Jemima” several times, during an examination in the presence of an assistant on July 11, in Memphis, Tenn
James Turner says Calling his black patient ‘Aunt Jemima’ was a ‘misspoken blunder’, he admits using the term, but said he immediately apologized to Carter
Carter said not only did he repeat the insult several times, Dr. Turner did not apologize for the remark at the time, she will be reporting him to the State Medical Board
The term Aunt Jemima is considered derogatory, demeaning, and racist
It is a stereotypical image of an African-American servant woman, created by the makers of Quaker Oats

James Turner admits using the racist and pejorative name-calling on his patient, but describes it as an unfortunate slip up
A Memphis woman said her doctor greeted her with an insulting racial term during her visit on July 11.
Lexi Carter is furious with her doctor after he called her “Aunt Jemima” during an examination. Carter said she was at a July 11 appointment with James Turner when he entered with a trainee and greeted her with the racial slur
“I was just sitting there waiting to be seen and he walked in,” Carter told local NBC affiliate WMC. “He had a young girl, physician’s assistant trainee, a student with him and he looked at me and he goes ‘Hi Aunt Jemima.’”
Patient Lexi Carter is furious and disappointed that her doctor could be so openly racist and disdainful
Carter, who is black, said Turner, who’s white, referred to her that way several times during the doctor’s visit.
“I haven’t slept. I haven’t–I haven’t really been able to deal with this,” Carter said. “It’s just the most horrible feeling really and I try to understand it and I don’t understand it.”
“I was just sitting there waiting to be seen and he walked in,” Carter said. “He had a young girl, physician’s assistant trainee, a student with him and he looked at me and he goes ‘Hi Aunt Jemima.'”
Lexi Carter posted an account of her experience online
Aunt Jemima is a stereotypical composite of an African American maid cum nanny for white families
The incident took place on July 11, at Dr Turner’s office in Memphis, Tenn.
Not only did he repeat the insult Carter said, Dr. Turner did not apologize for the remark at the time.
“It was an insult, racial ethnic insult, a joke. It’s putting me on a level of someone who is subservient with a smile–kind of step and fetch it. It was very derogatory, very demeaning. Especially for someone who prides myself in being none of that,” Carter said.
Aunt Jemima is a brand of breakfast foods owned by the Quaker Oats Company. It debuted in 1889 with a stereotypical image of an African-American servant woman.
Quaker Oats was sued in August 2014 by the descendants of two women the company used to create their Aunt Jemima brand, seeking $2 billion in revenue for the likeness. The lawsuit was dismissed the following February.
The term Aunt Jemima is considered derogatory, demeaning, and racist as it refers to a servile acting black woman who works as a nanny cum housekeeper for whites. The original incarnation portrayed Aunt Jemima as a servant before her appearance was changed in 1989, but the racist and derogatory undertones remain, something Carter said she was affected by when her physician used the term.
Contacted by local station WMC Action News 5, James Turner admitted to using the derogatory term. He admitted that he used the term, but said he immediately apologized to Carter.
“Ms. Carter is one of our very dear patients and has been for years. She is one of many African American patients and I count it a privilege to be their doctor. Anything I said that tarnishes that image and my respect for her was a misspoken blunder on my part and was not intended to show disrespect for Ms. Carter. I am very sorry for that misunderstanding.” – Dr. James Turner
Speaking with WMC, Carter said the apology came a little too little. She plans to file a complaint with Tennessee’s medical board.
MC, Carter said the apology comes a little too late and she plans on filing a formal complaint with Tennessee’s medical board.
Please, please, pul-lease stop looking to doctors for ethical behavior. You are setting yourself up for serious disappointment.
For an education on just this subject, I strongly suggest folks take a good hard look at the website, “The Paramedic Heretic.”
You can thank me later.