Human Relations in a Diverse Society

1. Human Relations in a Diverse Society Unit 4

2. VIDEO • http://www.kucourses.com/ec/media/store/mediacsocj/Policeshooting.wmv • Please watch this before Seminar

3. About the Video • What did you see in this video? • Was the action justified? • What could have been done differently? • Why do you think what happened, happened? • What actions would you take upon seeing something like this if any?

4. Racism: The effects on Blacks and Whites • As we review the historical information in our text the authors state that the fact of African Americans having been slaves in this country has created great psychological and social problems for blacks and whites for generations to come. • How is this true for both races?

5. What are the implications for law enforcement? • Colonists created “slave patrols” • Segregation laws enforced by the police • Civil rights protests and demonstrations stopped by the police • Lower socioeconomic class contact created one-sided perspectives of African Americans

6. Demographics of African AmericansU.S. Census Bureau • 13 percent of U.S. population—35 million • Population shifts created two Americas – Blacks in urban inner city – Whites in the suburbs • Blacks are represented in all socioeconomic classes • Society still discriminates against color

7. Racial Slurs and Epithets • Should never be used • Are obscenities and inflammatory • What about singers and rappers using the “n” word in the lyrics of a song?

8. Viewed in Equal Terms? Black Male (Others’ Perceptions)White Male Arrogant Confident Chip on shoulder Self-assured Aggressive Assertive Dominant personality Natural leader Violence prone Wayward Naturally gifted Smart Sexual prowess Sexual experimentation

9. Perceptions of Police Officers’ Actions by Some Blacks BLACK PERCEPTIONS 1. Whites want blacks to “stay in their place” 2. Police view black skin itself as probable cause 3. When stopped, blacks must be submissive or else 4. Officers are racists POLICE ACTIONS 1. Stopped or expelled in “white neighborhoods” 2. Reacting to blacks without distinction between drug dealer and plainclothes police officer 3. Using unreasonable force, beatings, adding charges 4. Negative attitudes, jokes, body language, talking down to people

10. Perceptions of Police Officers’ Actions by Some Blacks POLICE ACTIONS 5. Quick trigger, take-downs, accidental shootings 6. Slow response, low priority, low apprehension rate 7. Techniques of enforcing local restrictions and white political interests 8. Police stick together, right or wrong BLACK PERCEPTIONS 5. Bad attitudes will come out under stress 6. Black-on-black crime not important 7. Police are the strong arm for the status quo 8. Us-against-them mentality; they stick together, so we have to stick together

11. “Ebonics” or African American Vernacular English • Origins are from West African tribes • Use of African American Vernacular English (AAVE) does not reflect pathology • Also known as Ebonics and has consistent grammatical rules • Non-Blacks should not try to imitate AAVE. Why?

12. Threats and Aggressive Behavior • Whites and Blacks have different perceptions of when a fight starts • Whites perceive shouting as onset • Blacks look for physical movement, action, or provocation • Officer safety is number one concern, but do not escalate use of force in these contacts Source: Thomas Kochman

13. Addressing the Needs • Want equal police services • Supportive of community policing • More African American police officers and police executives in law enforcement today • Strict written rules in all departments regarding the use of excessive force, discourtesy, racial slurs, etc.

14. Key to Improved Police-Community Relationships 1. Leadership 2. Vision 3. Respect 4. Goals 5. Strategies 6. Mutual benefits for police and community 7. Effective communication and practices of both law enforcement agencies and the community