Policing and Racial Injustice: the Unseen Battle

According to The Law Dictionary, police brutality is defined as the use of excessive and/or unnecessary force by police when dealing with civilians. This brutality can manifest in various forms, including the use of nerve gas, firearms, false arrests, racial profiling, and even sexual abuse. This issue disproportionately affects Black men and women, who often fall victim to such excessive force. In 2017 alone, police killed 1,147 people, with Black individuals accounting for 25% of those deaths, despite comprising only 13% of the U.S. population (Daniliana 1).

Since 1992, there has been an alarming increase in police brutality, almost normalizing the silencing of Black communities' rights.

Normalization of Brutality

Police brutality within America has grown to be perceived as normalized behavior, both among officers and within police departments. There has been a significant rise in the use of unlawful force, especially when officers have engaged with Black individuals. Such misconduct and brutality have resulted in the deaths or serious injuries of many. The normalization of this trend within society has led to insufficient action being taken to protect victims and hold officers accountable. This lack of accountability and action by law enforcement has sparked anger and unrest in Black communities. As a result, several riots, protests, and other forms of resistance have emerged. This uproar stems from years of repressed anger and pain, as the American justice system has consistently been oppressive and seldom beneficial to them. The interaction between police officers and Black individuals remains unchanged, regardless of whether they are unarmed, their gender, or their age (see Figure 1).

Victims of Bias and Discrimination

Everyone within the Black community is a potential target and victim. For instance, CBS Miami reported a case in May 2013 where a 14-year-old boy was choked by a Miami-Dade officer for what the officer described as "dehumanizing stares" (Scott 13). In another 2013 incident, a disturbed man named Glenn Broadnax caused a disturbance by running through traffic, leading to him and two bystanders being shot. Mr. Broadnax was charged with assault because officers felt his actions led to the shootings (Scott 15). Other Black men, such as Eric Garner and Oscar Grant, have not been as fortunate. Garner's life was taken on July 17, 2014, by four officers who dehumanized him and ignored his cries while he lay face down in an illegal chokehold. Garner, a 400-pound asthmatic man, repeatedly told officers he couldn't breathe—his final words. Similarly, Oscar Grant was shot and killed by an Oakland transit officer while handcuffed and face down. The officer, Johannes Mehserle, claimed he mistook his gun for a taser and served less than a year in prison (Doherty 14). This lack of accountability highlights the normalization of police brutality against Black individuals. This trend has been on the rise since the acquittal of four officers who beat unarmed Rodney King during a traffic stop (Badertscher 4).

Impact on Communities

The trend of police brutality, often described as modern-day lynchings, has profound effects on Black communities and police departments nationwide (Willingham 87). The rising number of lives lost and the decreasing police responsibility have led to increased rage and fear within Black communities, sparking attempts to change policing practices. Incidents like those involving Eric Garner and Oscar Grant have both paralyzed and ignited communities. There has been a rise in reports against police officers as individuals feel compelled to protect themselves from those meant to protect them. Starr Brown is one such individual who took action, filing a report against an officer for excessive force. In September 2009, while eight months pregnant, Brown was assaulted by officer Andrew Galletti after an argument. She was charged with obstruction, assault, resisting arrest, and disorderly conduct, but her charges were later dismissed. She subsequently sued the police department and settled for $125,000 in March 2011 (Willingham 87).

Efforts Towards Change

The Christopher Commission of Los Angeles and the Mollen Commission of New York City have uncovered widespread issues of corruption, racial profiling, excessive force, and other forms of police misconduct (Doherty 1262). As a result, precautions have been implemented in police departments concerning the hiring and transfer of officers. Those with prior instances of misconduct or a history of violence are to be immediately rejected (Doherty 1266). Despite these measures, corrupt officers continue to be hired and protected, often shielded by the Blue Wall of Silence, which deters officers from acting justly towards Black individuals (Doherty 1282). In response, President Barack Obama established the President’s Task Force in 2014 to enhance trust and communication between officers and minority communities and improve police accountability (White, Coldren 6). The task force also advocated for body-worn cameras (BWC), which have been embraced by advocacy and human rights groups (White 7). While cameras have aided Black victims in reporting misconduct, they are not foolproof and have limitations.

Perception and Reality

Many police officers are trained to perceive Black individuals as threats, leading to an approach that makes them appear intimidating and menacing (Scott 12). This dehumanization of Black men and women is a societal issue, with nearly 95% of surveyed individuals believing that officers dehumanize Black individuals (Police Brutality Survey). To protect the majority, officers often undermine minorities, reinforcing their unchecked power (Scott 13). Black and Latino individuals are more likely to be assaulted or killed by officers (Alang 1127). Instead of protection, they are patrolled, with police presence in Black urban neighborhoods not reflecting crime rates nor matching the size of forces in predominantly white neighborhoods (Alang 1128). The lack of equality and justice in society is evident, and all races and genders should feel safe with police officers, who are hired to protect citizens, not become threats themselves. Movements like Black Lives Matter have emerged to combat this injustice. Without accountability for unlawful actions against minorities, brutality will persist. Until officers learn to value the lives of those different from themselves, the targeting of minorities will continue. Black individuals have been stripped of their power and will remain targets in the eyes of police until change comes from within police departments and those who govern them (Willingham 79). Many agree that change must begin with local authorities, as evidenced by 70% of those surveyed (Police Brutality Survey). It is imperative that all government officials, including the president, recognize the intrinsic value of all lives and reject notions of superiority.

Black men and women have endured significant suffering in America, with their civil rights often disregarded by those sworn to serve and protect. Those meant to eliminate predators have, in many cases, become predators themselves, contributing to the breakdown of Black men and women. Black men, in particular, have been stripped of their power to protect Black women, leaving them vulnerable to various forms of violence by white individuals, including police officers (Willingham 79). The pressing need for systemic change is evident, and it is crucial for society to address and rectify these deep-rooted issues.

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