Police brutality has impacted the health and changed the “single story” of African Americans over time.
“‘Having seen something so horrific and traumatic that happened to someone else, I’m reminded in a very painful and salient way that the deck might be stacked against me,’”
This perspective of an experience doctor who is skilled at medical ethics shows the effect of Police brutality on African americans regardless of them being a victim or even a witness. These killings of african americans instill emotions such as depression and fear which can be fatal for them. Research also shows that many black people reported having “not good mental health days” in the period of killing a african american person.
It doesn’t stop here. Some african-americans in other states, not in the location where black people were killed have also been mentally affected. This shows how harmful and dangerous police brutality has become for African americans even if they are not the ones who were getting beaten up.
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Police brutality has damaged mental health and doesn’t stop there. On a larger scale, police brutality changes the “single story” or identity of african americans as a large group. When an african american faces police brutality, the media spreads the news worldwide and everyone is informed about it. This changes the point of view or perspective, the human population look through at African americans. They look through the lens of a white cop instead of the tiny powerless lense of an african american as naturally the white cop has more power than african americans. Thus it changes the way they look at black people. It makes african americans look dangerous and unsafe to be with and they can’t be trusted. This keeps on putting itself through everyone’s mind when an incident of police brutality happens. Thus police brutality changes the single story of African americans and reduces their power and influence around the world and thereby impacting african americans. ​
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Perspectives
Kristen Pope
Andrea Ritchie
“I feel very threatened by the police. I don't feel like its someone or anyone you would call on when you need help”
Im no longer suprised by stories but I am continued to be deeply enraged by them"