APPLETON, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) – For many, Tyre Nichols is just the latest name in a seemingly never ending list of African American deaths as a result of police violence.
“I don’t want to say I’m desensitized, but it’s heartbreaking seeing another human being beat to death by people who are supposed to protect and serve,” Lawrence University Black Student Union President Amaka Uduh said.
While others might have been waiting to see the body cam video released Friday night, it was just too much for Uduh to bear.
“I’m not planning on watching it, but I know with social media, I’m going to watch it anyways,” Uduh said.
Uduh said the video would just be subjecting herself to more trauma.
“We’ve seen the George Floyd video, we’ve seen Philando Castile video. We’ve seen so many videos of Black and Brown people being hurt. I just can’t see another video of another man getting hurt.”
Uduh said she wants answers every time she hears something like this.
“I don’t want to say be mad; I don’t want to say throw a riot,” Uduh said. “I don’t want any of that. I just want us to come together and get justice.”
The situation is one that Black leaders like Uduh believe should be talked about.
“You can definitely tell how the media covered this situation, than with other situations,” Uduh said. “I just want the media coverage on this situation to be very big on this situation because we’re still getting beaten up by police officers.”
Uduh said although it’s difficult to see, she’ll continue doing what she’s been doing in hopes of eventually seeing a change.
“There’s nothing I can do right now than just go about my day and just be who I am and advocate for the Black and Brown people.”