Decades of Denial: Policing’s Past Haunts the Present
The recent death of George Floyd at the hands of police officers has once again brought to the forefront the issue of systemic racism in America’s policing. But this is not a new problem. It is a deep-rooted issue that has been brewing for decades, ever since the 1967 Kerner Report.
In the summer of 1967, America was in turmoil. Race riots erupted in cities across the country, fueled by years of discrimination and police brutality towards black communities. In response, President Lyndon B. Johnson established the National Advisory Commission on Civil Disorders, also known as the Kerner Commission, to investigate the root causes of the unrest.
The Kerner Commission’s report, released in 1968, was a scathing indictment of America’s policing system. It highlighted the deep-seated racism and discrimination within law enforcement and called for immediate and sweeping changes to address these issues. However, the report’s recommendations were largely ignored, and the problems highlighted in the report were left to fester.
Fast forward to 2020, and we see that little has changed. The death of George Floyd, along with countless other unarmed black men and women, is a testament to the fact that America’s policing system is still plagued by the same issues that were identified over 50 years ago.
Rick Loessberg and Akela Lacy, in their article for The Intercept, trace the trajectory of America’s unfinished reckoning with policing, from the Kerner Report to the George Floyd protests to the current political climate under the Trump administration. They highlight how decades of denial and inaction have allowed the problems within policing to persist and even worsen.
The Kerner Report’s recommendations included the diversification of police forces, improved training on community relations and racial bias, and increased community involvement in policing. However, these recommendations were largely ignored, and instead, law enforcement agencies focused on increasing their use of force capabilities and militarization.
This shift in focus has only served to exacerbate the issues within policing. The use of excessive force, especially towards marginalized communities, has become a common occurrence. And the lack of accountability for these actions has only further eroded public trust in law enforcement.
The George Floyd protests have brought these issues to the forefront once again, with millions taking to the streets to demand justice and systemic change. However, the Trump administration’s response to these protests has only deepened the divide and further perpetuated the problems within policing. From calling for “law and order” to deploying federal forces to quell protests, the administration has shown a clear disregard for the voices of those calling for reform.
But amidst this bleak situation, there is hope. The Black Lives Matter movement and other grassroots organizations have been tirelessly working towards bringing about meaningful change in policing. They have been advocating for policies such as defunding the police and reallocating funds towards community-based resources that address the root causes of crime.
Moreover, there have been small but significant steps taken towards reforming policing, such as the implementation of body cameras and the creation of civilian oversight boards. These efforts must be supported and amplified to bring about real change.
It is high time for America to finally reckon with its policing system and address the issues that have been ignored for far too long. The Kerner Report’s recommendations are just as relevant today as they were in 1968. It is time for them to be taken seriously and implemented to bring about a truly equitable and just policing system.
In conclusion, America’s unfinished reckoning with policing has led to the present state of deep-rooted racism and discrimination within law enforcement. The Kerner Report serves as a reminder of the issues that have long been ignored and must be addressed. It is up to all of us to demand change and hold our leaders accountable for creating a policing system that truly serves and protects all communities. Let us not let decades of denial continue to haunt our present and future. It is time for action.
