Reflection on Miss Evers' Boys: Race, Medical Ethics, and History

This essay is a reflective response to the film "Miss Evers' Boys," which recounts the true story of the Tuskegee experiment, a medical study conducted by the U.S. government on African American men with syphilis. The author reflects on the historical context of racial discrimination and the ethical violations perpetrated during the experiment, highlighting the suffering of the participants and the betrayal of trust by medical professionals. The essay examines the impact of racism as a "pathogen" with biological consequences, emphasizing the importance of cultural competence, sensitivity, and respect in healthcare. The author shares their personal reactions to the film, focusing on the perspectives of Miss Evers and the affected men, and discusses the lasting mistrust of the government and medical establishment within the Black community. The reflection underscores the need for equitable treatment and ethical considerations in healthcare to prevent the marginalization and harm of any group.

Running Head: REFLECTION
Reflection
Name of the Student
Name of the University
Author Note

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Reflective Response on Miss Evers' Boys."
Since the last 400 years, the theory of “race” has been perceived through the lens of many
nations, leaders, individuals which has determined who belongs and who does not. The theories
related to race include the notion that all the human beings can be classified into the various
races as per their physical characteristics. As we all know, characteristics include the eye shape,
skin color and the form of hair. The theories related to race have led to the common idea that few
races are superior based on their physical abilities than other races. Later in the claim has been
disapproved because “Race is a human invention”. Human beings have created the racial
discrimination and used it in many ways. A living example is the story of “Miss Ever’s Boys”.
The assertion of “Racism is a pathogen with biological consequences “can be examined
through the story of “Miss Ever’s Boys”. The story of Miss Ever’s Boys is founded on a true
event of Tuskegee experiment (syphilis). The US government had conducted a medical research
on the black men in the country of Alabama. 412 men were selected with the bad blood. These
patients were only used for the research and the government did not provide any treatment to
these patients. 127 people from this group left after 40 years. A black nurse tells this story named
as Miss Evers. Initially she was quite excited to help the patients but after 40 years lot of black
men were dying out of these disease. Miss Ever’s Boys are the four affected men who are her
best friends too. Eventually, two of them died and two survived. One survived because he joined
army and the government cured him. Another person danced well but could not dance anymore
with the disease. It ached the heart of Miss Ever and she stayed with the boys until the
government provided proper treatment to the men.

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After watching the film Miss Ever’s Boys, I have found that the story is best told from the
perspectives of Miss Ever. Relying on the information provide in this movie, people might think
that miss Ever is not revealing the truth as she involved so many people who were considered as
her closest friends. The men trusted the doctors and hoped that they would be cured of their
diseases. I believe Miss Ever joined the research work with a different perspective unaware of
the real motto of the research project. When she became aware of the project which was different
than she thought, she could not convey that to the men breaking all of their hope and trust.
Throughout the film, Miss ever introduces us with the background context and the four
men in the story. These four men are Willie Johnson, Caleb Humphries, Hodman Bryan and Ben
Washington. The black men with Syphilis were persuaded to participate in the study as they were
promised to receive fifty dollars as the burial expense on their death. Miss Ever was force to hide
the fact from the men because the Doctors must have finished up fourteen years study with
proper results. As per my views, the story being brought to life in the form of the movie is a
fantastic way to understand the pain Miss Ever and the four men experienced. The characters
appeared real to me and I was so engrossed that I found myself among them. According to my
views, the most painful aspect was that the four black men had to suffer for so long in order to
get the attention of the US government and the Public Health Service.
I am confident that the scenario would not have been similar if they were four white men
instead of being four black men. It is the practical depiction of the inferiority of the black as
perceived by the white government.
The film is also a living example that discloses the ground based on which the black
Americans people mistrust the government and the medical professionals. I think that the U.S

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medical establishment is famous for its discrimination towards the black Americans. It is an
unforgettable memory deeply embedded in the consciousness of the community. The U.S
medical professionals have used the black bodies for the advancement of science but denied their
treatment. The film shows that previously they were optimistic about the fact that the
government takes care of them according to my own understanding. In the modern times,
although there is reduction in the racial prejudice, the marginalization of the black Americans
occurs now and then.
The film also depicts an affirmative harm by the medical professionals violating the ethics
in the healthcare system. The ethical consideration in the health care suggests that a health care
professional should see every patient as equal and must not discriminate among them in term o
providing medical facility. They are considered to be upholders of a healthy society and a
disease-free country. The prejudice towards the black might lead to the spread of the disease and
affect a major part of the country. The cancers of racism might function as a pathogen resulting
in the biological consequences.
The government, the individuals and the medical professionals must be culturally
competent, sensitive and respectful towards other races. Discrimination must not be built on the
physical difference, economic and intellectual superiority. I believe that it must be kept in mind
that every person born in the world has the right to live healthy and if they are being used as a
tool for the advancement of the society, their concerns should also be considered and resolved on
highest priority. The duty of the medical professionals is to provide safety and health to the
people of society. The situational discrimination might result in the destruction of the society and
the people who form the society.

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