Solutions to Police Brutality Against African Americans
The highlighted issue is a long-standing problem that has taken eons to resolve. The rampant police shootings and callous murders of unarmed black individuals particularly over the decade have elicited protests and raised concern over police use of excessive force against African Americans and other minorities (Amza, 2020). Hence, applicable solutions must be urgently found to resolve this critical situation.
Firstly, the Black Lives Matter movement and pertinent advocacy groups must continue piling pressure on the police force, criminal justice system, media, and the U.S government. These groups are helping to highlight that police brutality on Black Americans is historically entrenched in the American criminal justice system. The groups are helping to show that this is not a recent problem and that even the country’s social and political institutions are also culpable. Through these groups, it becomes clear why mistrust exists between the police and Black Americans and hence, it is easier to determine the training and policy that would help address the issue. Consequently, sustaining the pressure will help the concerned stakeholders to realize the depth of this issue. Hence, they will understand their individual roles and obligations to change the situation.
Secondly, the American media has often portrayed black men as dangerous, as advanced by Rutgers University (2018). The resulting negative public perception of African Americans has contributed significantly to the inhumane treatment of blacks by the police. Media has inclined the public to validate the deadly treatment imputed on blacks by the police. Hence, the media not only influences the public about African Americans being dangerous but also the police. Thus, the media must adopt a more receptive approach when portraying African Americans by avoiding depicting them as criminals and lawbreakers. Whenever a black person protests unfair treatment, the media should avoid portraying such protests as a violent altercation that necessitates the use of deadly police force to quell the black person.
Thirdly, citizens should continue using all available platforms to advocate for the recognition of African Americans as equal American citizens that deserve fair treatment, especially by the police and criminal justice system. For decades, the public has been skeptical about this issue, most preferring to adopt the perspective advanced by the Media regarding the criminal-minded nature of African Americans. However, citizens have actively increased the exposure of police brutality through social media and participating in advocacy groups such as the Black Lives Matter movement.
As a result of their actions, it is now becoming clearer that police have always been biased against African Americans. The recent videos showing the inhumane killings of George Floyd and other African Americans by the police and the accompanying civil unrest are a step forward in addressing the problem. Hence, more research must be put out to help spread the message and undo the damage done by media and government in depicting African Americans as criminals deserving brutal police force.
Lastly, the American government must obey the country’s constitution and respect the rights and freedoms of African Americans as American citizens. The government must realize that African Americans are also entitled to living their lives without harassment and intimidation. Moreover, the government should respect that African Americans have a right to be heard by the country’s law enforcement institutions. Consequently, African Americans in all positions of power in the American government must join hands to highlight the need for adopting new changes regarding the treatment of African Americans, particularly by the police. They must honor their pledge to protect the rights of all citizens by actively calling out all forms of ill-treatment of Blacks by the police and criminal justice system.
References
Amza, A. (2020). Why are African Americans subject to more police violence?
https://www.trtworld.com/americas/why-are-african-americans-subject-to-more-police-violence-37031
Rutgers University. (2018). Media portrayals of black men contribute to police violence, Rutgers study says. https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2018-11/ru-mpo112118.php