Collins' micro-sociological theory of violence has generated much discussion and critiques. Armstrong (2008) argues that Collin's theory is a quite limited perspective, which neglects other important social/cultural factors. For instance, Collins describes the concept of "forward panic" as a fundamental variable that focuses on a specific emotional state and this is generalised across time, place, race, gender, economics, and culture (Armstrong, 2008). This dismisses the cultural interpretation of the Rodney King beating as a case of racism. However, Collins (2008) explains that racism has little effect on whether individuals will be violent in confrontations, or how successful the violence will be, as racism by itself cannot overcome the barrier …show more content…
First, Collins deviates from the traditional argument that certain "types of individuals" become violent (Aho, 2013), and argues that violence are not committed by "bad" people, but also committed by "good" people like police officers who are usually responsible for public safety. This case also illustrates the importance of recognising emotion as an interaction process involving everyone present: the attacker, the victim, and the audience (Collins, 2008). Karstedt et al's (2011) research found that suspects who turn and run away, or resist arrest in situations when police are in full forward panic mode are more likely to be attacked by police, than those who non-violently stand firm and attempt to verbally engage with police. Even Klusemann's (2012) research on the tipping-points to genocidal ethnic cleansing in Bosnia and Rwanda, found micro-situational obstacles and threatened victims sometimes escaped because they showed emotional resoluteness. Perhaps, the Rodney King beating could have been prevented if one or both sides refrained from escalating the conflict, by lowering the tension and putting the situation back in emotional equilibrium (Collins, 2013). Collins recommends that our best defence in confrontations with police is our facial expression, voice, speech, body language, and demeanour. This is a reciprocal interaction; by changing …show more content…
Human emotion is a powerful and complex experience that can influence individuals to go against the conventional morality of normal situations (Aho, 2013). Evidently, emotions can dominate a person to commit acts of violence, even the supposedly professional, rational, and disciplined individuals, such as police officers can inflict harm on others. The emotional dynamics of violent situations are found in the "pathways" that lead into the "tunnel of violence": attacking the weak victim; "forward panic"; and audience encouragement (Collins, 2008). It is through these pathways that came together at a particular time and place that shaped the tension, fear, and the emotional entrainment of the officers to act in ways they would generally not. Such emotional dominance is subject to various situational contingencies; therefore, some individuals who reach the peak of violence (overkill) will not necessarily remain there (Aho, 2013). One of the officers who participated in beating King testified that he told another officer to "get the hell off" King, because the beating became “excessive" (Linder, 2001). While violence is difficult for human beings (Collins, 2013), the Rodney King beating highlights that when there is a build-up of confrontation tension/fear, finding the features of the situation that shape our emotions and acts can help
In the book Between the World and Me, author Ta-Nehisi Coates shares the experience of a traffic stop through the eyes of a Black man. Recounting a memory to his son, Coates explains, “They took my identification and returned to the squad car. I sat there in terror… At that point in American history, no police department fired its guns more than that of Prince George’s County” (Coates 75-76). Given the increasing number of stories arising of unjustifiable police brutality, when pulled over by the police, understandably, Coates was genuinely concerned that they may take his life away.
In this article, My turn: You don’t get to assault police officers, opinionated from Chief Steve Strachan of the Bremerton Police Department and Kitsap County Sheriff Gary Simpson, both provided insightful thoughts from an officer’s point-of-view. Chief Strachan and Sheriff Simpson addressed the truth be told from under the veil of negativity aimed at police officers. Hence, this article can be looked upon both negatively and positively, provided a Chief and Sheriff’s opinion of the current negativity portrayed upon officers. Subsequently, quoted from the article, “first, we all need to be more aware of the underlying ‘spin’ in messages and headlines about so-called ‘police violence’ and second, we absolutely have to focus on the fact that it is not acceptable, ever, to attack or assault police officers.”
The deadly shooting of Michael Brown by Officer Wilson, unveiled numerous issues within local law enforcement, that resulted in social controversy aimed at all of law enforcement. According to the BBC news, Brown was unarmed when he was fired upon by Wilson (“Ferguson unrest”, 2015). A projection from this incident has emerged, claiming that African Americans are killed more frequently than other races when confronted by law enforcement. The statistics have revealed that African Americans who are unarmed have been victim to violence with
Summary In the journal article, “State-Created Danger” leading author Jeffrey J. Noble discusses the controversial issue of whether or not police officers should be held accountable for reckless actions. Noble begins his essay by explaining how police officers often encounter dangerous scenarios with “little or no warning, and no opportunity to develop a comprehensive plan. The police are expected to intervene quickly and make what are often citical decisions” (p. 481). Officers have such a challenging task when dealing with split-second decisions and the author points out that it is difficult to scrutnize the actions of an officer who is expected to produce nothing short of perfection in these kind of circumstances.
John F. Kennedy once said, “The rights of every man are diminished when the rights of one man are threatened.” The book, “1984”, had the frightening Thought Police who controlled and watched people's’ every move. For the modern world, the United States’ police have become more frightening than ever, however, both have somewhat different ways of showing it. Police Brutality is shown in both the book, “1984”, with the Thought Police and in the modern world with the United States’ police force. However, the Thought Police have evolved into more of a psychological way of brutality, while the police force in the United States uses physical brutality.
These examples show that what Brent Staples wrote about fear and guns is still true till this day, as more and more cases are shown in the media of an police officer killing unarmed, non-aggressive African
When the justice for Mr King was not given rightfully, the people from the streets who went through alike problems hear about it, they immediately want change. From gang members who initiated the truce that helped decrease street violence, to the average high school student being active in protest around the city, the riots were portrayed heavily by the people affected by the beating. At these times, around the clock news and live television coverage followed but also in Ice Cube’s “The Predator” and Rodney King 's speech to the city of Los Angeles. Rodney King, intoxicated, speeding down the interstate had ignored all police sirens and warnings. He led the California Highway Patrol on a eight mile chase down freeways and city streets.
In the essay “Fighting Back,” author Stanton L. Wormley Jr. explains that developing the instinct to fight back diminishes the ability to forgive. He supports this explanation by first establishing credibility with his personal experiences, then captivates the audience by presenting a powerful question, “Was I less of a man for not having beaten my attacker to a bloody pulp?” (Wormley 1). Wormley’s purpose is to illustrate the unnecessity of violence in order to also make a political statement to our country’s government. He builds a formal tone for an audience of minorities and majorities.
Although we hope our Police force will use their powers for good, but sometimes police misconduct can occur. Often, the police are under great pressure to act as quick as possible, espcially in a murder case and if the murder victime is white, a child, police officer, or prominent. For example, In the 1990’s the case of Rodney King, that not only shows a racist issue within the criminal justice system, but also the issue with abuse from police officers, but changed the country’s views on the LA police force. Twenty- Seven years ago,Rodney King was brutally beaten by Los Angeles police officers.
Undoubtedly, militaries around the world train individuals to do extremely violent things to other humans. Often times transitioning away from a high tempo, hyper violent environment back to civilian life is a difficult process. William C. Gentry, a San Diego County prosecutor was once quoted saying “You are unleashing certain things in a human being we don’t allow in civic society, and getting it all back in the box can be difficult for some people.” Andrew Chambers is a veteran who had such problems adjusting. During a night out with some friends, Chambers severely beat someone who had pulled out a knife during an argument.
While the other book used is useful for providing an account of what happened at the beginning of the decade, this book is able to look at police brutality throughout the 1990s and how the earlier events impacted the later ones. Journal Articles Matheson, Victor A., and Robert A. Baade. “Race and Riots: A Note on the Economic Impact of the Rodney King Riots.” Urban Studies, vol. 41, no. 13, 2004, pp. 2691–2696, Academic Search Premier, doi:10.1080/0042098042000294628.
In “Etiquette of Police Violence” Rion Alamar Scott talks about some of the things cops first assume to do when approaching someone of color. He then continues to tell his audience about events that have happened numerous times. Even goes into detail about the prosecution of the accused officers and how they went. Scott makes a lot of good points about how cops
An occurrence observed by the population of Los Angeles, California conveys the existence of racism and police brutality. According to The Polls-Trends: Racial Differences in Attitudes Toward the Police, “…three quarters of blacks, but only 38 percent of whites, continued to view police brutality as a common occurrence” (Tuch and Weitzer
Police officer’s reputations are reduced and they lose the public’s trust as protectors. Specifically, society talks about the act of a white police officer savagely attacking a black citizen. The black population was enraged by this act and formed activist movements to prevent any police brutality brought upon them. As the controversy rise, society starts picking a side to defend. In this case, the nation is split into two sides.
Esbensin, Peterson, Taylor and Freng (2010) implies that “ young people who have committed serious violent offenses have the highest level of impulsive and risk-seeking tendencies.” Moreover, extreme violent criminal activity being performed in front of youth increases the risk of them performing acts of extreme violence themselves. Because youth see those acts as acceptable so committng those violent activities make youths to become ruthless. Smith and Green (2007) assert that violent activities becoming ruthless and the perpetrators even more ruthless.