Frank A. Clark, MD

Redundancy has a time, place, and season. The hashtag #AllLivesMatter is a non-applicable repetitious response to the Black Lives Matter movement. This response has not been welcomed with open arms by the black community. In fact it has fallen on deaf ears of a community that remains marginalized and devalued because of skin pigmentation.

Can you imagine telling a breast cancer survivor, “All cancers matter?” Can you imagine telling the marine biologist, who has specific interest in studying whales, “All marine mammals matter?” Can you imagine telling the gardener who enjoys planting tomatoes “All plants matter”? All of these responses are invalidating and quite frankly disrespectful.

The #AllLivesMatter hashtag is no different when said to communities of color who have plenty of evidence to debunk this “feel good” saying. It stings. It demoralizes. It re-traumatizes. It torments. It is these sentiments that led me to write the poem, “Non Applicable Hashtag.”

Licorice sopranos, altos, tenors, and baritones scoff at the lyrics on the ivory page.

The conductor requests the tormented voices bellow #AllLivesMatter on the whimsical stage.

Licorice sopranos, altos, tenors, and baritones nauseated with audience reverberation of #AllLivesMatter.

Wounds of invalidation, anguish, and pain dehisce with pus that longs to silence the ivory chatter.

Licorice sopranos, altos, tenors, and baritones coalesce to stand the test of time.

#AllLivesMatter is a pretentious message filled with ivory denial that is not worth a dime.

is Clinical Assistant Professor at the University of South Carolina School of Medicine-Greenville and Medical Director & Division Chief for Adult Inpatient and Consult-Liaison Services for the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Medicine at Prisma Health.

The views expressed here are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of his employer, university, or 

Videos

Can you imagine telling a breast cancer survivor, “All cancers matter?” Dr Frank Clark discusses what led up to writing the words in his poem, Non-Applicable #Hashtag.

Non-Applicable #Hashtag

The words, “You already have 3 strikes against you,” spoken by my mother during childhood periodically echo in my thoughts. She was preparing me for the goliaths that I would need to defeat on my path to becoming a physician because of my worn identity: a black male. She equipped me with tools that would allow me to “flourish” in a world that would ostensibly welcome me to the table of communion singing the popular refrain, “All lives matter.” However, I have realized over the years that the bread and wine we ingest at this table is fraught with internal deception. The table invites the black man to share his concerns, but we must be pristine in our vernacular and our delivery. We must avoid any perception that we are intending to inflict moral injury to the egos of the majority. We must adapt to an environment that attempts to silence our voices and knees of advocacy. We are contemporary slaves, irrespective of our educational attainment and shackled by an unjust criminal justice system, white privilege, and a national administration who uses racially charged language.


 have taken an emotional toll on my heart. Their deaths remind me that the pursuit of happiness and longevity remain a dream deferred for Black America due to systemic racism. It is a constant reminder of the invalidation I feel when white America is offended by the term white privilege. It is a constant reminder that Frank Clark, a young, intelligent, gifted, black male physician could be the next to say, “I can’t breathe.” As I reflect on the current state of our country and the deafening silence by some who claim to be our allies, I harken back to the following statement made by civil rights activist 

 during his stent in the Birmingham jail. King wrote:

First, I must confess that over the last few years I have been disappointed with the white moderate. I have almost reached the regrettable conclusion that the Negro’s great stumbling block in the stride toward freedom is not the White Citizen’s Council-er or the Ku Klux Klanner, but the white moderate is who more devoted to “order” than to justice; who constantly says, “I agree with you in the goal you seek, but I can’t agree with your methods of direct action; “ who paternalistically feels he can set the timetable for another man’s freedom; who lives by the myth of time and who constantly advises the Negro to wait until a “more convenient season.”

Unfortunately, King’s words still ring true in 2020, which should prompt a call to action. I believe that our country can rise from the pits of hate and white supremacy that have plagued our country for hundreds of years. This requires humility, transparency, and authenticity. Therefore, I am asking my white brothers and sisters—and those of all races—to join me in the choir that is yearning for voices to collaborate in this fight toward justice and equity. I am asking you to come out of your ivory towers of privilege and partner with me. Only then, can we abolish the injustices of this world and shower one another with love.

 is Clinical Assistant Professor, University of South Carolina School of Medicine – Greenville, SC, and Medical Director & Division Chief for Adult Inpatient and Consult-Liaison Services for the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Medicine at Prisma Health.

Articles

The recent ghastly killings of Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor, and George Floyd serve as a reminder that the pursuit of happiness and longevity remain a dream deferred for Black America due to systemic racism.

A Black Man's Lament

In this poignant video, Dr Frank Clark shares what led up to his writing 

. Dr Clark is a board-certified adult psychiatrist at Prisma Health-Upstate. He received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Monmouth College in Illinois and a Doctor of Medicine degree from Northwestern University. He then completed his residency in general psychiatry at the University of South Carolina School of Medicine/Palmetto Richland Hospital in Columbia, SC.
	
	Dr Clark serves as Clinical Assistant Professor at the University of South Carolina School of Medicine-Greenville and Medical Director & Division Chief for Adult Inpatient and Consult-Liaison Services for the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Medicine at Prisma Health.
	
	In addition to his psychiatric practice, Dr Clark has held many leadership positions in national organizations including the American Medical Association and the American Psychiatric Association. Locally he serves on the board of directors for NAMI and Mental Health of America. He has presented on various topics related to health equity, interplay between faith communities and mental health, workforce diversity, micro-aggressions, and the social determinants of health.

Dr Clark has a strong passion for medical missions work and has traveled to numerous countries including Zambia, Ireland, Guatemala, Nicaragua, Canada, and Haiti to serve others medically and spiritually. He considers his faith a significant factor in his success and his practice. Spending time with his family, running, writing poetry, and traveling are three avid interests of his that help him keep balanced.

In this poignant video, Dr Frank Clark shares what led up to his writing Chocolate-Flavored PTSD and Runner's Paradox.

A Hope and a Prayer for All Humanity

Parental exhortations transmit incessant psalms to the trepidatious heart illuminated by blue lights.
	Posture rapidly disintegrates to fetal position anticipating the dark cloud of death hovering.
	A litany of inquiry attacks desensitized anal sphincters requiring diapers for future voyages.

Incredulous noses attempt to sniff out the aptitude of their dark pigmented foes.
	Sidewalks wreak of ivory privilege that erupt at the myopic sight of the Ivy-league panther.
	A litany of inquiry suppresses dopaminergic zeal that demands a therapeutic potion and unbiased couch.

Contemporary slave owners fill the stands and applaud their athletic specimens.
	The patriots shackle the knees and necks of those who attempt to strengthen First Amendment muscles.
	A litany of inquiry awakens a historical REM center that produces horrid images requiring a heavenly sedative.

is Clinical Assistant Professor, University of South Carolina School of Medicine – Greenville, SC, and Medical Director & Division Chief for Adult Inpatient and Consult-Liaison Services for the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Medicine at Prisma Health.

Frank A. Clark, MD, Clinical Assistant Professor, University of South Carolina School of Medicine – Greenville, SC, presents a timely slice of poetic history.

Chocolate-Flavored PTSD

Strike with a gentle force to release the tangled web of ruminations.
	Stimulate atrophied muscles with rhythmic steps of gratitude.
	Shine in an ageless concrete that invites heavenly exploration.
	Run, Run, Run!
	
	Smell the refreshing aroma of soft winds gliding the human deer.
	Smile at faithful stars that guide creativity and store personal best.
	Speak to replete lungs that beckon tranquility for the journey.
	Run, Run, Run!
	
	Fangs dripping of bigotry hasten to attack human black deer.
	Eyes from afar filled with gangrenous material halt the once swift glider.
	Hearts of infirmity congregate to infect the black dove.
	Bang, Bang, Bang!

Fangs dripping of bigotry hasten to attack human black deer. Such is a line in the work of this African American psychiatrist.

Author | Frank A. Clark, MD

Articles

Non-Applicable #Hashtag

A Black Man's Lament

A Hope and a Prayer for All Humanity

Chocolate-Flavored PTSD

Runner’s Paradox