Contextualizing COVID-19 Vaccine Hesitancy Among Black Americans

The anxiety and mistrust many Black Americans feel surrounding the American medical system has been something white Americans have been largely able to ignore until the rude awakening that is the COVID-19 pandemic. Health care is not an apolitical experience, and care systems do not cater to all in a universal way. Health care systems have been shaped and created by white medical providers and administrators for white patients. Historically, the standard of medical care designed for and offered to Black people has been substandard, grudgingly provided, and often resulted in extreme discomfort and mistreatment for many Black patients. This paper examines the history that created this mistrust and possible changes that can be made.