Collins' micro-sociological theory of violence has generated much discussion and critiques. Armstrong (2008) argues that Collin's theory is a quite limited perspective, which neglects other important cultural factors. For instance, Collins uses the concept of "forward panic" as a fundamental variable that focuses on a specific emotional state and this is generalised across time, place, race, gender, economics, and culture (Armstrong, 2008). This dismisses the cultural interpretation of the Rodney King beating as a case of racism. However, Collins (2008) explains that racism has little effect on whether individuals will be violent in confrontations, or how successful the violence will be, because racism by itself cannot overcome the barrier …show more content…
First, Collins deviates from the traditional argument that certain "types of individuals" become violent (Aho, 2013), and argues that violence are not committed by "bad" people, but also committed by "good" people, like police officers who are usually responsible for public safety. This case also illustrates the importance of recognising emotion as an interaction process involving everyone present: the attacker, the victim, and the audience (Collins, 2008). Karstedt et al's (2011) research found that suspects who turn and run away, or resist arrest in situations when police are in full forward panic mode are more likely to be attacked by police, than those who non-violently stand firm and attempt to verbally engage with police. Even Klusemann's (2012) research on the tipping-points to genocidal ethnic cleansing in Bosnia and Rwanda, found micro-situational obstacles where threatened victims sometimes escaped because they showed emotional resoluteness. Perhaps, the Rodney King beating could have been avoided if one or both sides refrained from escalating the conflict, by lowering the tension and putting the situation back in emotional equilibrium (Collins, 2013). Collins recommends that our best defence in confrontations with police is our facial expression, voice, speech, body language, and demeanour. This is a reciprocal interaction; by …show more content…
Human emotion is a powerful and complex experience that can influence individuals to go against the conventional morality of normal situations (Aho, 2013). Evidently, emotions can dominate a person to commit acts of violence, even the supposedly professional, rational, and disciplined individuals like police officers can inflict harm on others. The emotional dynamics of violent situations are found in the "pathways" that lead into the "tunnel of violence": attacking the weak victim; "forward panic"; and audience encouragement (Collins, 2008). It is through these pathways that came together at a particular time and place that shaped the tension, fear, and the emotional entrainment of the officers to act in ways they would normally not. Such emotional dominance is subject to many situational contingencies; therefore, some individuals who reach the peak of violence (overkill) will not necessarily remain there (Aho, 2013). One of the officers who participated in beating King testified that he told another officer to "get the hell off" King, because the beating became “excessive" (Linder, 2001). While violence is difficult for human beings (Collins, 2013), the Rodney King beating highlights that when there is a build-up of confrontation tension/fear, finding the features of the situation that shape our emotions and acts can help alter the
The quote stated above by Rodney King is an interpretation of how he feel towards police brutality. Rodney King was an African American male who was brutally beat by police officers when he refused to pull over. This incident showed that officers can be cruel and as a future criminal justice professional, it makes me question the understanding of ethical practices in the criminal justice system. Unlike Rodney King, the man in the video was not beat but he was tortured –twisting of his arm. Both Rodney King and the man in the video were helpless as they continued to scream for help.
“The only thing we have to fear is fear itself” (Franklin D. Roosevelt). The feeling of fear is being scared of something or someone. African Americans have always feared police officers due to the excessive force caused by police officers in the United States. It could be that African Americans view police officers as monsters. “Perhaps, as Asma argues, we create monsters as a reaction to the fears we experience and our inability to control the world around us” (61).
When the justice for Mr King was not given rightfully, the people from the streets who went through alike problems hear about it, they immediately want change. From gang members who initiated the truce that helped decrease street violence, to the average high school student being active in protest around the city, the riots were portrayed heavily by the people affected by the beating. At these times, around the clock news and live television coverage followed but also in Ice Cube’s “The Predator” and Rodney King 's speech to the city of Los Angeles. Rodney King, intoxicated, speeding down the interstate had ignored all police sirens and warnings. He led the California Highway Patrol on a eight mile chase down freeways and city streets.
Some police departments use physical standards to legal discriminate against female candidate and this should not be allowed because even if it’s legal discrimination that’s still discrimination. Men are always going to be physically stronger than women that’s how they are built. Some examples of test that discriminate against women are test the involve upper body strength like pull ups, outdated test that have been used for years but have not been updated and “obstacle courses or tests with one cut-off score for everyone, regardless of sex or age” ("Know Your Rights”) In her article for the Gazette, a Colorado Springs newspaper, Debbie Kelly wrote about physical fitness testing being suspended for all of Colorado Springs police officers
Whenever officers feel endangered, they automatically turn to their weapons. Recently, guns have been a major problem because officers feel that it is the only way they are able to defend themselves. Sometimes abusing the power of guns. Police brutality occurs because officers feel unsure of where the situation will go if they do not take a stand before problems begin to worsen. Police are already seen as the higher power.
The Article “Institutional betrayal makes violence more toxic” and the play Hamlet share the idea that betrayal can cause pain. The article points out the institutional betrayal of the police, especially the Michael Brown ordeal. The article tells us that police should be a source of protection and security, not the perpetrators of racially motivated violence. The article goes in depth on how betrayal is seen when it is committed by people we trust or depend on. In addition it explains that when betrayal is openly acknowledged, people have the opportunity to heal and prevent further betrayal.
This paper focuses on why police brutality is a major issue in our society today, as it affects African Americans. Throughout this paper, police brutality as it is directed toward African Americans will be thoroughly explained and the main factors associated with it. It will also show the relationship that links police brutality and African Americans. The portion of my paper entitled “Reaction” will then discuss how the narrative has raised my insights in regard to my own comfort zone, triggers and learning edge as defined by Miller and Garran.
Police Brutality and Racial Profiling Black people who were unarmed were killed more than whites by police last year. “Black people are three times more likely to be killed by police in the United States than white people (BBC Podcast, 2015).” Although the extent of police racial bias and their previous abusive behavior is unknown (if any), there are other issues that are known. The purpose of this paper is to argue that race and ethnicity, social class, and bias are reasons that lead to police atrocity among African Americans.
Undoubtedly, militaries around the world train individuals to do extremely violent things to other humans. Often times transitioning away from a high tempo, hyper violent environment back to civilian life is a difficult process. William C. Gentry, a San Diego County prosecutor was once quoted saying “You are unleashing certain things in a human being we don’t allow in civic society, and getting it all back in the box can be difficult for some people.” Andrew Chambers is a veteran who had such problems adjusting. During a night out with some friends, Chambers severely beat someone who had pulled out a knife during an argument.
Often times, mindless conformity leads to senseless violence that could have been avoided with just a little more thought. In order to justify hateful and exclusive acts, the actions of people in minorities are often taken
While the other book used is useful for providing an account of what happened at the beginning of the decade, this book is able to look at police brutality throughout the 1990s and how the earlier events impacted the later ones. Journal Articles Matheson, Victor A., and Robert A. Baade. “Race and Riots: A Note on the Economic Impact of the Rodney King Riots.” Urban Studies, vol. 41, no. 13, 2004, pp. 2691–2696, Academic Search Premier, doi:10.1080/0042098042000294628.
In “Etiquette of Police Violence” Rion Alamar Scott talks about some of the things cops first assume to do when approaching someone of color. He then continues to tell his audience about events that have happened numerous times. Even goes into detail about the prosecution of the accused officers and how they went. Scott makes a lot of good points about how cops
Police officer’s reputations are reduced and they lose the public’s trust as protectors. Specifically, society talks about the act of a white police officer savagely attacking a black citizen. The black population was enraged by this act and formed activist movements to prevent any police brutality brought upon them. As the controversy rise, society starts picking a side to defend. In this case, the nation is split into two sides.
Who has ever been stopped by the police? Where they were instilled with that gut-wrenching feeling of not knowing what will happen next? Ever since the civilization of man, defiance against authority and instances of persecution from those who instill order have been in discord, with both factions gathering more victims as time goes on. However modern instances of such fatalities are often met with escalating public outcry, and is subsequently apart of the perpetual cycle of distrust between the two parties. Nonetheless, some of the main contributing elements that lead to such tensions is that of the embers of the civil rights movement, of which is further fueled by an intimidating array of weapons and equipment that are a product of the modern
The violent conflict approach is defined through coercion, threats, and destructive assaults. Galtung’s, model suggests that each of these components influence one another, and while each