Police Brutality
Post#1
In ‘How to Reduce Police Brutality,’ an opinion piece published in The New York Times, Philip Alston writes about ways that can be implemented to reduce the recurring incidences of police brutality through his experience as in the law and humanitarian sectors. Alston writes this essay to the American federal and state governments and the police administrative force to reconsider their approach and adopt new police brutality measures in American society. The move is vital because, according to Alston, the previous measures that have been enacted have not solved the menace of police brutality. As such, he believes his new policies will address the root cause of police brutality.
As per Alston, he claims that though the government has recognized and accepted the existence of police brutality, their approach is way off to solve the issue. Therefore, Alston outlines that making the police more accountable and responsive will not change their attitude. Instead, he advocates for the formulation and enactment of policies and structures that are less fundamentally racist. Besides, Alston argues that the existing policies on the various government agencies are based on African-Americans as the obstacles (Alston, 2020). As such, according to Alston, there is discrimination, oppression, and exclusion based on color. Thus, Alston makes it clear that there is a need to do away with the blacks’ existing perception for America to win the war on police brutality. Based on Alston’s law background and work experience in the United Nations, he applies ethos to make his appeal.
Post#2
The “Why Teaching Black Lives Matter Matters | Part I” is an informative piece authored by Jamilah Pitts and featured as a magazine in the tolerance.org website. In the article, Pitts writes to all educators and institutions that they have the civil responsibility to create awareness on the history and tenets of black lives matter movement to students. According to Pitts, police brutality has been propagated by acts of racial injustices (Pitts, 2017). As a result, for him, it is essential for educators to play the role of creating awareness on the existence of black lives matter social movement to the students since they see and hear incidences of police brutality towards the blacks.
Pitts claims that there is a rift among the educators on teaching about black lives matter. According to Pitts, they fear being seen as strategic activists and against the policy agenda. However, Pitts argues that the students need to understand the basic facts, practices, and beliefs of the movement. Therefore, he aims to advocate that the learners be aware that all lives cannot matter when black lives do not matter. Pitt, outlines the history of the black lives matter social movement and its fight against racism and police brutality among the African-Americans. Consequently, he applies ethos by showing that the black lives matter movement is not racial but advocates for equality. As such, Pitt outlines the myths that have been associated with the movement. He makes it clear to the audience that there is a need for them to explore black lives matter movement objectives and goals to remove the myths that have been spreading.
Post#3
In “A Conversation with a Police Union Leader” a podcast piece published in the Daily Times section of the New York Times, Michael Barbaro interviews Vince Champion (the Southeast regional director for the International Brotherhood of Police Officers) on whether the continuous implementation of reforms has addressed the issue of racial bias propagated by the police force. In this conversation, Barbara reaches the police force and the agencies that protect the police. The issues he raises are vital because there have been increased police brutality cases emanating from racial bias despite the implementation of new measures after each incident (Barbaro, 2020). As per Barbao, the issue that needs to addressed is racism in the police departments.
In the conversation, Barbao is concerned about the police union support to the police force while there are incidences of racial discrimination witnessed. As such, he has structured the conversation by including various recorded voices from the previous interview. Thus, Barbao applies ethos to prove credibility and create a ground to base his questions and arguments. Primarily, Barbao seeks to understand the role played by incremental reforms in creating equality among American citizens. Correspondingly, he wants to know why the police union has been having different views on the black’s and white’s cases. Besides, he beckons that racial biasness has resulted in the establishment of social movements such as the black lives matter movement. Correspondingly, Barbao advocates that the police union should be dismantled since it does not come up with reforms that will bring equality and do away with racism.
Post #4
In the Blacks lives matter movement website (blackslivesmatter.com), they have published a news article named “Black Lives Matter Boston #SayHerName March on July 4,” which advocates for the recognition and uplifting of the black women for the critical role they play in the community. In the short notice article, the black lives movement is reaching to its members and other interested parties that want to support their goals and objectives of uplifting the blacks and ending the incidences of police brutality. The move of celebrating their achievements is essential as it shows that they have made progress and recognize the contributions made by its members.
The black lives matter movement is calling for the women recognition and celebration as they have been neglected despite their vital role in advocating for equality (blackslivesmatter.com., 2020). The movement recognizes that black women face double discrimination because of their gender and color. From that perspective, the black lives matter social movement applies ethos to show that there is a need to uplift and celebrate the black women. Correspondingly, the black lives matter social movement indicates that black women have been devalued, overlooked, and erased. As a result, it appeals to its members and the public to join hands in flourishing black women. The piece is structured in a persuasive and informative way to call for mass support. Besides, there is a call for monetary support at the end to finance their activities. Also, there is a time frame that has been left for the people to prepare for the march day. As such, the black lives matter social movements show how it is organized in its course for bringing social justice among African Americans.
Reflection
From the black lives matter social movement, I was interested in knowing the manner in which they handle the incidences of police brutality. One of the movement’s main missions and objectives is to fight for justice on the incidences of police brutality towards African Americans. However, there are various ways in which people look for justice. The constitution has set well the procedures that should be followed in case such an incident happens. As such, I wanted to know the ways that they have adopted to advocate for their rights. With the increased demonstration and riots that were witnessed recently from the death George Floyd at the hand of the law enforcers, I wanted to get deeper and understand the direction under which the black lives matter had taken. For instance, does it support violence, or does it follow the laid down procedures. Based on my perception, I believe police brutality is a critical issue that a long-lasting solution should be sought. The police force should be a trusted institution that advocates for equality among all Americans despite their color, culture, and class. Similarly, the police are mandated to protects the rights of the people.
From my conversation, readers need to have background information on the racial discrimination that has been in the United States since the time of slavery. As such, they will be able to connect on how it has developed until to the point it has reached the police force. Besides, one has to be aware of the existence of black lives matter social movement. The conversations anchor the need for police reforms that will make both the police and the public understand and appreciate racial diversity in America. As such, the policies should protect each person despite their race. Therefore, it will create an inclusive nation with a reputable police force.
After reviewing the various sources of police brutality, I can attest that America is not yet to do away with racial discrimination. On the other side, the black lives movement has progressed the racism in advocating only for their rights. In my view, they should come out as all lives matter so that the United States government can take their plights from that perspective. Correspondingly, end of racism cannot only be achieved through fighting for equality in the law enforcement sector. I think African Americans first need economic freedom, and they will be capable of doing away with racism since they have a political and social voice.
In a nutshell, 21st-century research has shown me there is a need for critical thinking and creativity. Besides, it advocates for a cross-cultural understanding of the topic. Also, the 21st research is more of self-reliance in that it makes one present issue in a rhetorical perceptive. As such, it has made me understand that research is not only looking for quantitative data and drawing conclusions. Instead, it requires one to explore the issue through critical analysis. In regard to future researches, I would like to know how it will bring about collaboration. Further, I think to be an active and informed listener, one needs to rhetorically explore the topic.
References
Alston, P. (2020). Opinion | How to Reduce Police Brutality. Nytimes.com. Retrieved 2 July 2020, from https://www.nytimes.com/2020/06/03/opinion/letters/police-brutality-george-floyd.html.
Barbaro, M. (2020). A Conversation With a Police Union Leader. Nytimes.com. Retrieved 2 July 2020, from https://www.nytimes.com/2020/06/29/podcasts/the-daily/defund-police-union-rayshard-brooks.html?.
blackslivesmatter.com. (2020). Black Lives Matter Boston #SayHerName March on July 4. blackslivesmatter.com. Retrieved 2 July 2020, from https://blacklivesmatter.com/black-lives-matter-boston-sayhername-march-on-july-4/.
Pitts, J. (2017). Why Teaching Black Lives Matter Matters | Part I. Teaching Tolerance. Retrieved 2 July 2020, from https://www.tolerance.org/magazine/summer-2017/why-teaching-black-lives-matter-matters-part-i.