Decades of Denial: Policing’s Past Haunts the Present
It has been more than five decades since the release of the Kerner Report, a landmark study that exposed the deep-rooted racial inequalities in America’s criminal justice system. Despite its dire warnings and urgent calls for reform, the report’s recommendations were largely ignored, and the country’s policing problem continued to fester. Today, as we witness the widespread protests against police brutality and systemic racism, it is clear that America’s unfinished reckoning with policing has come back to haunt us.
The Kerner Report, commissioned by President Lyndon B. Johnson in response to the 1967 urban uprisings, examined the causes behind the civil unrest and concluded that the root of the issue lay in the deep-seated racism and discrimination prevalent in American society. It specifically pointed out the disproportionate use of force by police against black communities, highlighting the need for immediate action to address the issue.
However, instead of heeding its warnings, subsequent administrations chose to turn a blind eye to the report’s findings. As a result, the problems highlighted in the Kerner Report persisted, only worsening with time. The government’s inaction and denial of the reality of systemic racism in policing allowed the issue to fester, resulting in the deaths of countless innocent lives at the hands of law enforcement.
Fast forward to 2020, and we find ourselves in the midst of a nationwide movement calling for justice and an end to police violence against people of color. The death of George Floyd, a black man who was killed by a white police officer in Minneapolis, sparked a wave of protests across the country. These protests exposed the deep-seated anger and frustration within communities of color towards the continued injustice and brutality they face at the hands of those meant to protect and serve them.
While the killing of George Floyd may have been the tipping point, the anger and pain felt by communities of color are a result of decades of denial and inaction by those in power. The issue of policing is deeply ingrained in America’s history, with a legacy of laws and policies that have disproportionately targeted and oppressed people of color. The very foundation of the modern-day criminal justice system is built on this legacy, and until we acknowledge and address it, the problems will continue to persist.
The protests following George Floyd’s death were a powerful reminder that the country’s policing problems go far beyond one incident or one city. They exposed the systemic racism and inequality that have plagued our society for far too long. They were a wake-up call for America to finally confront its past and take concrete steps towards ensuring a fair and just criminal justice system for all.
Unfortunately, the response from the current administration has been far from satisfactory. Instead of addressing the root causes of the issue, President Trump has chosen to further exacerbate the problem by using divisive language and advocating for harsher law enforcement measures. His administration has also attempted to downplay the issue by dismissing the protests as acts of violence and calling for a strong militarized response, further deepening the divide between communities and law enforcement.
The past and present collide as the country finds itself at a critical crossroads. The unfinished reckoning with policing has brought us to this juncture, where we must choose between continuing on the same path of denial and inaction or finally addressing the issue head-on. The choice we make today will determine the future of our society, and it is imperative that we make the right one.
It is time for America to acknowledge the racial biases and inequalities that exist within the criminal justice system and take concrete steps towards reform. This includes demilitarizing the police, holding officers accountable for their actions, and investing in community-based solutions that address the root causes of crime. It also requires a fundamental shift in attitudes and a commitment to dismantling the systemic racism that has plagued our society for too long.
The ongoing protests have shown that the American people are no longer willing to accept the status quo. They demand change, and it is the responsibility of our leaders to listen and act. The continued denial and inaction will only lead to more suffering, more deaths, and further divisions within our society.
In the words of Rick Loessberg and Akela Lacy, “America’s unfinished reckoning with policing has come back to haunt us.” But it is not too late to rectify the mistakes of the past and work towards a more just and equal future. The time for denial is over;
