Racism: Police Brutality and White Police Officer Essay examples

Submitted By erinicole28
Words: 1769
Pages: 8
Open Document
Erica Myers
American Studies 395 T/TR 10:00-11:15
Professor Loftin
Fall 2012
City Under Fire California, the Golden State known for its range of weather and lively Hollywood scene, has always been a state widely desirable by many. For decades people from all over the nation have been migrating here to get their own piece of the California dream. But the California dream isn't always what it's made out to be. The city of Los Angeles has seen its fair share of violence in the past 50 years. With Los Angeles being so ethnically diverse, racial tensions were bound to arise as some point or another. Two instances that occurred in Los Angeles led to two of them most violent riots the city has ever seen. The first were the arrest of African American Marquette Frye by white police officer Lee Minikus. The other was the profoundly violent and horrific beating of African American Rodney King by four white police officers. In both of the disturbances race and class each played a contributing factor in the riots, but in each occurrence one factor dominated over the other. In 1965 just outside the city of Watts, California a African American man by the name of Marquette Frye was arrested on suspicion of driving while intoxicated by Lee Minikus, a white police officer. While the arrest was being made a crowd began to gather and soon racial tension began to rise and resulted in an outbreak of violence that lasted six days. In my opinion, I view this disturbance as more of a riot then a uprising because although it was a confrontation with the authorities that sparked the hostility, it was still a unorganized group of people who lashed out with intense and irrationally violence toward their city rather than an act of rebellion against the government. As for the causes of the riots, I tend to agree with McCone's agrument that it was primarily due to the location where the riots took place of the economic situation of those living in the area (McCone 1965, pg. 456). McCone goes further to explain that both the home life of the individual and the level of education they received along with the high unemplyment rates of the area also added to the outbreak of violence. Before McCone mentions ways of fixing the problem, he acknowledges the fact that if nothing is done segregation would be likely to increase (McCone 1965, pg. 457). I consider McCone's points to be biggest contributing factor when it came to these riots. It is my belief that in the moment of the arrest it was the racial aspect of the situation that ignited the unrest, but it was the economic situation between the classes that fed the unrest that resulted in all the destruction and devastation. The riots were just another example of the barriers that are present between certain races of people and people of different social classes. The dream of living in the beautiful state of California is not without its troubles. It is very interesting that McCone notes the possibility of an event occurring on a much larger scale in the future if something is not changed (McCone 457). In the spring of 1991, an African American man by the name of Rodney King whom after leading the police on a pursuit was severely beaten during his arrest. This show of heinous police brutality was caught on film and shown to the public eye. People were angered but surely there was to be justice for the crime. After moving the case to a court in Semi Valley, on April 29, 1992 the verdict in the Rodney King case came back and all four of the police officers were acquitted, that is when all hell broke loose. Many people were extremely angered by the injustice of it. Businesses, owned by any race including Blacks, Koreans, and Whites were destroyed, burnt to the ground. Looting was a common occurrence. Beatings took place, with some even going so far as to ending in death. this disturbance was really more of a riot then a uprising. In this case we have a large group of angry
Show More

Related Documents: Racism: Police Brutality and White Police Officer Essay examples

Police Brutality In America

Police brutality can be referred to as a deliberate verbal attack and excessive use of power which is being directed towards the people of the state by the law enforcement officers. Sometimes the excessive force involves physical and psychological coercions. Police ruthlessness has been reported to have evidenced in many countries in the world and more especially in the United States. This act is termed as a misconduct on the side of the police. It normally involves police bribery, sexual abuse…

Words 1454 - Pages 6

Police Brutality In America

Police Brutality underscores the abuse of authority. Officers use strands of unreasonable attitudes of extreme measures when it is not necessary. Over time policemen have acted out in ways that demonstrate their abuse of authority, making this behavior now “familiar to the average citizen” (Geiselman). Unjustified shootings, fatal choking's, severe beating’s and rough treatment have all contributed to the current problem of police brutality in America. The fact of the matter is that most of these…

Words 1747 - Pages 7

Police Brutality Research Paper

Police Brutality: Why does the color of one’s skin dictate the level of safety and respect afforded to them by law enforcement? What can be done to dismantle the systemic racism that perpetuates police brutality against people of color? Although the purpose of the police is to serve and protect, occasionally they abuse their authority. Human rights are violated by the police when they use brutality. The rights of persons of color in this instance. These communities require targeted assistance, such…

Words 1227 - Pages 5

Jim Crow Laws Research Paper

While the north may have not accepted slavery, they were most certainly racists to anyone who was not white. Even when slavery became illegal, the south had a hard time dealing with the idea that white people and black people would be equal. Therefore, Jim Crow Laws were introduced into American Society. These laws not only set America back into pre-historic Civil War era, but it fueled racism even more in this country. These laws legally segregated and discriminated blacks and minorities solely…

Words 966 - Pages 4

Arguments Against Police Brutality

How much is too much? Police brutality is the use of excessive physical force, including beating citizens with hands or batons, or using stun guns, teargas, and even lethal weapons (Walter, Andrew 1). Similarly, many police officers go their entire careers without ever having to draw their weapon or even engage in a serious physical confrontation in order to protect themselves, or the public, from an offender (Walter, Andrew 1). A very small percentage of law enforcement officials, however, are guilty…

Words 1555 - Pages 7

Why Do African Americans Need Police Brutality?

Police brutality has always been a big social issue in America.In the last few years police brutality has been a main event all over the news.African American people are struggling to believe in a police system that just kills their people.Society should be a place where people are not afraid of the police system or constantly having to protest just to be heard.it’s been a thing for many years,it has become more apparent to others in the last couple years,celebrities are now taking a stand.…

Words 492 - Pages 2

Summary Of What Obama's Victory Means About Race

civil rights movement, racism still occurs today. Discrimination and racism towards African Americans was considered normal after the Civil War and before the civil rights movement. Many white people openly abused black people in the public and no one would speak up to stop it. Blacks were looked down upon and were treated as the trash of society. No matter how important or successful a black man has become, the white majority treated them unfairly due to his skin color. Racism and discrimination in…

Words 1160 - Pages 5

Police Brutality Research Paper

Police brutality has been around since 1872, they can say that some things have changed since then, but in reality police brutality still happens today. Some disagree on how some people might see the world and how it’s going, but if you really think about it, it has changed people in many ways and how certain people of color see the world now. Police brutality has changed society in many different ways. Others believe that nothing has changed and that everything seems fine, but in reality everything…

Words 1330 - Pages 6

Police Brutality In America Research Paper

Solutions to Police Brutality towards African Americans Introduction Unfortunately, police brutality towards African Americans is a social issue that not only affects the victims, but their families and bystanders as well. Akin Police brutality dates all the way back to 1950. Racism in America is the main reason for police brutality. It’s sad that the people who are supposed to serve and protect their neighborhoods and cities, become the main ones putting danger and fear in the hearts of the community…

Words 725 - Pages 3

Racism In A Raisin In The Sun

works as a maid/nanny for a white family. Ruth works from home doing laundry for other families, and Walter Lee is a chauffer for a wealthy white man. The Youngers work constantly and very hard and are still living in poverty. Racism is blatant in this play. Cars owned by black people will get tickets for parking in places that white people’s cars will not. Carl Lindner, who is merely racism personified, visits the Youngers and bribes them to stay out of an all-white neighborhood. When the Younger…

Words 600 - Pages 3