Issue link: http://digital.copcomm.com/i/1280987
48 SAG-AFTRA | Summer 2020 | sagaftra.org RACE, MEDIA & SAG-AFTRA Alicia Cole with former President Obama. SAG-AFTRA MEMBER ADVOCATES FOR PATIENTS As actors, we take care of our own. A licia Cole has portrayed nurses and doctors on shows like Beverly Hills, 90210 and Strong Medicine. She's appeared in healthcare training videos and public service announcements. But her most prominent role is as a patient advocate. In 2006, Cole checked into the hospital to have fibroids removed, a condition more common and more serious among women of color. What should have been a few days of downtime turned into a couple of months in the hospital after contracting several life-threatening infections. Ten years later, she faced another series of life-threatening infections. Recovering from both instances took years, nine additional surgeries and 11 blood transfusions. Between admissions, though, Cole directed her energies toward patient advocacy. She's served on several patients' rights organizations, including the Presidential Advisory Council for Combating Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria. When sharing her story, Cole always highlights the racial bias she and her family experienced, like questioning why hospital staff treated her father as part of the janitorial services. "Instead of seeing it as a chance to discuss the culture of care, I was told, 'We don't get many Blacks here.' People of color have to deal with those kinds of things in addition to their health situation," she said. Throughout her medical odyssey, Cole relied on her union. "Had it not been for the union standing behind me, the years of medical treatment I've received would never have happened," she insisted. Cole also utilized the SAG-AFTRA Foundation Catastrophic Health Fund to help pay insurance premiums as well as support from The Actors Fund to cover mounting bills. "As actors, we take care of our own," she said. To donate to the SAG-AFTRA Foundation Catastrophic Health Fund, visit sagaftra.foundation/donate. W ith protests continuing across the nation, SAG-AFTRA's broadcast journalist members often put themselves at risk while reporting the news. There have been hundreds of reports of aggression against journalists as well as journalists being detained, arrested or assaulted — keeping them from being able to do their jobs. As the institution that keeps Americans informed and holds the powerful to account, a free press is a key element of a functioning democracy. That's why the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution guarantees the press shall be free from government interference in the dissemination of information, ideas and opinions. SAG-AFTRA stands with all of its members in ensuring that the rights of a free and independent press continue to be upheld. "Democracy does not exist without the freedom of the press and, when journalists are attacked, society is threatened," said SAG-AFTRA Vice President, Broadcasters Bob Butler. "Society cannot be fair to all without journalists seeking to report the facts, investigate wrongdoing and hold those in power accountable." SAG-AFTRA has provided its broadcaster members a checklist of safety protocols and precautions to observe when covering civil unrest, and it works with station shop stewards to ensure members are following enhanced security protocols. For a list of safety tips and resources for journalists, visit sagaftra.org/safety4media. Police briefly detain KPIX 5 News reporter Katie Nielsen in Oakland, California, on June 1. BROADCASTERS CAUGHT IN THE FIRST AMENDMENT Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances. Crossfire ERIN BALDASSARI/KQED