'I'm human just like you.' Brooklyn doctor opens up about racial profiling

A Brooklyn doctor is sharing his personal experience of being a Black doctor and how he uses his work clothes to feel safe.

News 12 Staff

Jul 20, 2020, 9:28 PM

Updated 1,365 days ago

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A Brooklyn doctor is sharing his personal experience of being a Black doctor and how he uses his work clothes to feel safe.
Dr. Arturo Holmes II is a urology resident at SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University.
"When I go to department stores or affluent neighborhoods, I kind of alluded to in the [Washington Post] article, people kind of look at me different. They stop me, they ask me questions." said Holmes. "Why I'm there, where I'm going, if I know someone they know. And oftentimes in an accusatory fashion." 
The Brooklyn doctor opened up about the experience in the Washington Post and explained the reasons why he wears his scrubs everywhere. 
"I'll wear them to rollerblade, to the grocery store, I'll wear them to visit friends' houses. I wear them all over," said Holmes.
He says it's a safety net and hopes that his scrubs will change the mind of anyone who would pre-judge him by the color of his skin. "No one should feel like they should have to wear scrubs or any sort of professional uniform to be treated respectfully," said Holmes.
He says his attire has remained consistent after he was pulled over by police in 2019 while wearing scrubs. 
"It's really intimidating when you have four officers in the car, and it's just you in your car after work, at night, especially in the context of all the things we've seen happen," said Holmes. 
The 33-year-old tells News 12 he loves his family, playing music and wrestling. 
"Listen, I'm human just like you," said Holmes. "Just like your family members, just like your mom, just like the people you care about. Try and care about me too."


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