Addressing police brutality must be done with empathy for and awareness of the plight of the African-American community. Historically speaking, there has not been a period wherein the African-American community was not inhibited by institutionalized barriers. American enslavement provided the foundation for later oppressive provisions that are especially prevalent within inner-city, predominantly Black communities, which, incidentally, many of the prominent instances of police brutality have taken place. Political regimes like the “war on drugs,” “school to prison pipeline,” and mass incarceration criminalize and dehumanize the African-American community, and thus affect the collective mindset of the population. I believe that an imperative first step that has not been taken is acknowledging the effects these may have on the Black community.
I will now present the real-life cases of police brutality amongst the minority community in the United States. There were times when brutality cases did not get much, or any media coverage. People were not talking about it as much when it would occur. Most of the police officers would get off without any form of punishment. However, hundreds of brutality cases have gone to court, but today I will go into full detail on the cases that changed the minority citizens’ perspectives on law enforcement.
Police Brutality and Race Police brutality is not a new problem in the United States. It has occurred throughout history and has affected all genders, ethnicities, and races. Recently, however, police brutality towards African Americans has become a controversial topic in the news media, and has prompted heated discussions and angry public outcry about race relations and civil rights throughout all sections of the country. Ever since the Michael Brown shooting in 2014, which was caught on camera and viewed widely on national television and on social media, the police have been under scrutiny by both the news media and the general population to stop their use of physical force and unnecessary violence when apprehending and confronting criminals.
Police brutality will be an issue until a solution is created. Many individuals are victims of this form of assault on daily basis. The liberties held by law enforcement are challenged each time they perform their duties. Police officers should abide by the same laws that each citizen is expected to abide by. Although police officers are granted with the right to determine laws as constitutional, civilians are sometimes treated in ways that are beyond unlawful.
This year alone, in Chicago almost 80 percent of the people killed have been black. In Baltimore the figure is 216 black people versus 11 white, in Philadelphia 200 black people versus 44 white. Although it’s troublesome that most are killed by other black people, it is disturbing to think that the innocent blacks are killed by armed officers, especially the white officers. The “Black Lives Matter” (BLM) movement is taking actions to campaign against violence toward black people. Founder Alicia Garza said BLM is recognizing that “Black people are deprived of our basic human rights and dignity.
As police brutality against African Americans is increasing, it is very much reminding us of the civil rights movement. Black leaders risked their lives to ensure that all African Americans would live an equal life as white Americans. The racism and discrimination had been unapparent until recent events such as Donald Trump’s campaign being successful and the police brutality against African Americans. “Every 7 hours cops kill an American citizen”. Many times African Americans are targeted.
In the spring of 1991,” In Los Angeles, California, four Los Angeles police officers that had been caught beating an unarmed African-American motorist in an amateur video an acquitted of any wrongdoing in the arrest.” [“1992 Riot in Los Angeles”] We hear and read about police brutality more than we should. Police brutality is a major problem in our country. Many times it is pushed aside or covered up. Sadly we find that a major reason for all this happens, has to do with racism as well.
Kb is doing a little over the speed limit and speeds past a red light. He know he did this but he was overdosed on some medication that his doctor previously gave him. Then within a few seconds Kb noticed through his driver side mirror that state trooper number 73 flashed his lights. He Would 've never thought he would get pulled over but he did. He saw the light and refused to stop, He forgot he only can go a certain speed because his transmission was going bad, After a few more feet his 2013 Chevrolet Equinox stopped. The trooper got out his car and asked for his license and registration. While her reached in his arm rest he pulled out his black wallet and the officer pulled out his gun and shot Kb 1 time in the shoulder. The trooper noticed
As Ong did with his articles, society can become united against injustice if it is brought to light. Police brutality that had gone on quietly for many years has finally reached the news with an explosion of media posts with powerful phrases like “Black Lives Matter” being crowned in the process. Words turned to actions where all across the world people were chanting Trayvon Martin, Eric Garner, Michael Brown and many others. This international outrage at injustice was due significantly to the media coverage that was finally given to the issue. As well as, the people began taking coverage into their own hands through social media.
This is what started the Blue Lives Matter movement, a movement for police officers to be protected. Due to a spike in police deaths the government imposed harsher laws against assaulting, harming, or killing a police officers. The BLM community is concerned because they feel like they are taking a step backwards in the relationships between the community and its people with the local police officers. Lots of people are saying that the movement is unjust because they believe that “All Lives Matter,” but the movement is just simply pointing out that African Americans are being wrongfully targeted and killed. The movement is trying to prove that all of our lives should be equal not one life is better than the
Throughout history, the failure of the government to protect black people from ruthless enforcement officers, forced blacks to act in their own interests. During the 1930s, the National Negro Congress organized massive rallies against police brutality, the Black Panther was created to stem the tide of police abuse, and in the 1970s the Congress of African Peoples sponsored the “Stop Killer Cops” Campaigns (Fitzgerald, 2007). The list goes on and on of groups and campaigns that African Americans formed to protect themselves from white supremacy and most importantly police brutality. Although some observers claim that racial profiling doesn’t exist, there are an abundance of stories and statistics that document the
Law enforcement is ensuring an act of obedience to the law. Police officers often take advantage of enforcing the law and end up using violence when it 's not necessary. According to the Washington post ( 2015 ) every 28 hours an unarmed colored person is killed by a police officer. I think it is time for these and other victims who were treated unjustly by police officers to get justice. These deadly law enforcement incidents must come to an end. By reading this you will be informed that etiquette police training and use of body cameras will majorly improve law enforcement incidents. But first we must get to know one of the many victims of police brutality Jessica Hernandez.
[ Imagine this scenario: you are complying with the police that are screaming at you, guns pointed at you, screaming “please don 't shoot” and trying your best to do what the police are asking. Daniel Shaver was an unarmed man fatally shot for no good reason. He was complying with the police officers orders and was begging for his life, screaming “please don’t shoot,” before he was fatally shot 5 times. Unfortunately, this is just one example of police brutality, an instance when police use unnecessary force when either they are unarmed or are complying with orders. Today I want to tell you of the injustice of police brutality, the people it affects, and how just asking the right questions could make sure that police are punished for their crimes.
Colin Kaepernick, the quarterback of the San-Francisco 49ers, chose not to stand for the National Anthem at a recent National Football League game. Instead, he decided to express his unhappiness with the way African Americans are being treated by police, by kneeling to the ground. This was his form of protest and attempt to convey his message about how he felt. Kaepernick does have the right to not stand for the National Anthem, however, it is disrespectful. People fight for our freedom, so why disrespect those men and women and an NFL game was not the right time or place to hold his protest.
Everyday Police officers are serving our nation, state, county, and city. Their duty is to help product and to provide a safe environment to the community. Often officer face dangerous scenarios and are at risk everyday. Depending on where an officer works, will usually determine how much he/she is paid and what they do on a daily basis. Well a question that often arises, should law enforcement officers be paid higher wages, because of what they do for the community?