Overview Racism and Police Brutality Essay Example
Overview Racism and Police Brutality Essay Example

Overview Racism and Police Brutality Essay Example

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  • Pages: 3 (717 words)
  • Published: July 14, 2021
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Discussion surrounding racism and police brutality has gained significant attention from the public in recent years. During my investigation into these issues in the United States, I employed Google Scholar to locate two dependable sources. The initial source, authored by Joscha Legewie from Yale University, titled "Racial Profiling and Use of Force in Police Stops: How Local Events Trigger Periods of Increased Discrimination," addresses the correlation between racial profiling and the utilization of force during police stops.

This journal article explores the rise in cases of police brutality that occur after acts of extreme violence. The data used for this analysis is gathered from police traffic stops. Another source utilized in this research is a chapter titled "The 'Causes' of Police Brutality: Theory and Evidence on Police Use of Force" from the book "Criminal Justice Theory: Explaining the Nature and Beh

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avior of Criminal Justice" by Robert E. Worden. This chapter investigates three theories that elucidate the connection between police behavior and excessive use of force. Furthermore, I referenced an analysis named "Racial Profiling and Use of Force in Police Stops: How Local Events Trigger Periods of Increased Discrimination" by Joscha Legewie, which examines the discriminatory patterns displayed by police officers during their stops following incidents of extreme violence. The author employs various data analyses to provide evidence supporting the argument that police tend to become more violent and discriminatory after such violent events occur.

After analyzing the pattern of police stops, searches, arrests, and use of force following events such as riots, it was observed that black men were disproportionately targeted. The analysis used data from 3.9 million timed and geocoded pedestrian stops in New York City

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tracking their experiences before and after violent events (Legewie 380). This investigation provided evidence of the consistent mistreatment and racial profiling endured by black men due to ongoing police presence. Additionally, the analysis supported the notion that instances of violence led to increased discrimination by the police. Robert E.

In his research article titled "The 'Causes' of Police Brutality: Theory and Evidence on Police Use of Force," Worden examines the factors that contribute to police brutality. One major cause, according to Worden, is the higher likelihood of non-white suspects being arrested. This influences police behavior during encounters with citizens (Worden 150). The study shows a significant correlation between non-white suspects and their increased arrest probability. Detailed police reports reveal that black suspects were perceived as more disrespectful compared to individuals from other demographics. Statistical data also confirms the overrepresentation of minorities among victims of police shootings.

The research on racial profiling was carried out with the use of Google Scholar, an online platform that provides access to scholarly articles. It is essential to ensure the credibility and reliability of sources. One of the chosen sources for this study was a journal affiliated with Yale University, which has a strong reputation in academia. The author of this journal article is Joscha Legewie, a respected sociology professor who has taught at prestigious institutions such as Yale and Harvard, and currently serves as a professor at Columbia University. Given Legewie's extensive background in sociology, it is possible that his argument may be influenced by confirmation bias. However, it is worth noting that other statistical data suggests that no particular race is disproportionately targeted for police violence. Additionally, it is crucial

to take into account the location where the study was conducted as it can also impact these findings.

Robert E. Worden's credibility as a source stems from his Ph.D. in Political Science and his position as a professor at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill. This particular source was used as a textbook in college criminal justice courses and received approval from professors at different universities. Worden's work exhibits bias by employing various methods to uphold his argument. His sociological theory justified racial profiling, while the psychological approach confirmed overall brutality without taking race into account.

Both authors presented their arguments ethically by analyzing their observations specifically, rather than simply confirming their own opinion.

Works Cited

  1. Legewie, Joscha. “Racial Profiling and Use of Force in Police Stops: How Local Events Trigger Periods of Increased Discrimination.” American Journal of Sociology, vol. 12, no. 2, 2016, pp. 379-424., doi:10.1086/687518.
  2. Maguire, Edward R., et al. Criminal Justice Theory: Explaining the Nature and Behavior of Criminal Justice. Routledge, 2015.
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