It was 1944. The U.S. Army was in dire need of medical help, but instead of using the Black nurses the military force had, they delegated those nurses to take care of German war prisoners. The Army preferred those nurses help opposing countries rather than Americans.
Research shows that 92 percent of Black nurses face racism in their profession. These caregivers experience acts of racism from peers, leaders, and a group you’d never expect.
Black nurses also have to deal with racism from patients, all while helping save their lives. At times, Black nurses even have to do what their own family members won’t even do.
These Black caregivers may have to clean up after their patients and receive physical resistance while working long and exhausting hours. And when these nurses ask for promotions, they’re often denied. This means they cannot grow in their professional lives.
It’s our duty as Black people to support Black nurses in any way we can, whether it’s treating them with the proper respect when we’re at medical facilities, or by supporting organizations that are dedicated to Black nurses such as Equality4BlackNurses.