Differential police treatment
The recent videotaped beating of an African American man inCincinnati, Ohio by police officers has once again called attention to thevolatile relations between police and the African American community.Though this incident is still in its investigation stage, it is merely onein a long history of allegations regarding police misconduct againstAfrican American people. For critics, such police conduct includes verbalabuse, unjustified stops and the use of excessive force. Ronald Weitzer (1999) found that according to surveys done by theBureau of Justice Statistics, police officers have used excessive force inless than 1 percent of contacts with civilians and suspects. Contrary tothese statistics, however, blacks perceive excessive force as a problem. Afurther survey conducted by NBC News found that 43 percent of blackrespondents had little confidence on the police in the matter of "not usingexcessive force on suspects" (cited in Weitzer 1999). Definitions of "excessive force" differ from community to community.In two middle-class communities outside of Washington, DC with a majorityof black citizens, the practice of "proning out" a suspect on the groun
This involves putting the individuals onthe ground with their arms behind the back. While grassroots political action can call attention to the problem,many black leaders believe that the problem can only be solved through arecognition of the problem and a strong political will. These biases areinvisible to everyone but the black victims, many of whom have come toexpect practices such as racial profiling as standard. In Randolph, Massachusetts, a town justoutside Boston, police officers leveled their guns on an off-duty blackpolice officer from Boston. Analysts like Muwakil locate this problem in the system of lawenforcement, pointing out that "anti-black biases are so tightly woven intothe fabric of American law enforcement" (Muwakil 2002). Jesse Jackson, forexample, equates the excessive use of force against black people as"domestic terrorism. Another suspect, also blackthough several inches shorter than the policeman, was apparently buying asandwich in a nearby store. Later investigations showed that the teenager had noarrest record, and that the clash was provoked by a routine traffic stop("United States: Inspector Morse Strikes Again"). Though many community members found the youth gatherings asnoise nuisances, many groups were equally outraged over the "manhandling"of an elderly female community member. An alert citizenry is always an asset. Proposed solutions Members of the black community have increasingly called attention tothe problem, and this grassroots approach has had modest success. Black residents of Randolph view this incidentas racial profiling. In many cases, the incidents aresparked by non-violent offenses. Moreimportantly, there should be an effort to punish the offenders.
Common topics in this essay:
Randolph Massachusetts,
Washington DC,
Analysts Muwakil,
African American,
Justice Statistics,
Louise Green,
Morse Strikes,
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Jesse Jackson,
excessive force,
police officers,
african american,
weitzer 1999,
black residents,
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muwakil 2002,
los angeles,
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black police,
washington dc,
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Acceptance Essays
