Historical Context
Police forces grew in the 1600's as a response to immigrants having to live in the same spaces. Police forces were originally created in 1631 but increased by the 19th century as a large wave of immigrants migrated from Germany and Ireland. This migration caused many disruptions as Americans from English ancestry began to get offended as the new migrants made their way into American society and gained social, political and economic dominance. During this time is when crime, rioting and other disturbances grew in big cities and so did police forces.
Police brutality is defined as the use of excessive force by a police officer whether it’s physically, verbally, or as psychological intimidation. Increased reports of police brutality began in the 1960’s. During the 1960's the police symbolized a society that didn't want to accept blacks and grant them their equality, as the civil rights movement grew. In 1963 the head of Birmingham, Alabama, Bull Connor was a very influential man to the south as his motto was "you've got to keep the white and black separate!" Connor's most brutal tactic was the use of police brutality. Although Bull Connor helped grow awareness about the inequality and unjust treatment of the racial minorities, his tactics of police brutality lived on.
Police brutality was not only a thing blacks faced but Latinos as well. In 1992 Rodney King, just another victim of the abuse of officers, lost the jury trying to convict 4 officers after they had assaulted him and used excessive force, claiming he was on drugs and resisting arrest although they were caught on tape. This event brought the people together, protesting the injustice, even riots broke out. Throughout these riots many were hurt as the streets went loud. 10 out of the 53 people who had died during the LA riots were in the hands of law enforcement. There was also 11,000 arrest with less than half being Latinos. However much good came out of this as police forces began to change, more people of the racial minorities began to join the forces and violent crimes decreased by 76%.
Still to this day Police brutality is a thing that the racial minorities and low income communities still face. With an upcoming roar and influences of the past, history begins to repeat itself.
Police brutality is defined as the use of excessive force by a police officer whether it’s physically, verbally, or as psychological intimidation. Increased reports of police brutality began in the 1960’s. During the 1960's the police symbolized a society that didn't want to accept blacks and grant them their equality, as the civil rights movement grew. In 1963 the head of Birmingham, Alabama, Bull Connor was a very influential man to the south as his motto was "you've got to keep the white and black separate!" Connor's most brutal tactic was the use of police brutality. Although Bull Connor helped grow awareness about the inequality and unjust treatment of the racial minorities, his tactics of police brutality lived on.
Police brutality was not only a thing blacks faced but Latinos as well. In 1992 Rodney King, just another victim of the abuse of officers, lost the jury trying to convict 4 officers after they had assaulted him and used excessive force, claiming he was on drugs and resisting arrest although they were caught on tape. This event brought the people together, protesting the injustice, even riots broke out. Throughout these riots many were hurt as the streets went loud. 10 out of the 53 people who had died during the LA riots were in the hands of law enforcement. There was also 11,000 arrest with less than half being Latinos. However much good came out of this as police forces began to change, more people of the racial minorities began to join the forces and violent crimes decreased by 76%.
Still to this day Police brutality is a thing that the racial minorities and low income communities still face. With an upcoming roar and influences of the past, history begins to repeat itself.