Abusive Policing and the Black Lives Matter Movement in America.
By: Noah B
Tags: Police Brutality, Blm, Social Injustice, Racial Inequality, Police Reform

Police brutality in America has been an issue long before the Black Lives Matter Movement started. These issues relate to systemic racialized discrimination that reflects the ideals of the powerful upper class. Throughout history, police have been used to oppress and control minorities as well as threats to society.

This dates back to slave days where those in power kept control by using force to keep order over minorities. Police are considered an extension of the bourgeoisie that reflects the political ideals of the dominant classes within society.

The Black Lives Matter movement is a reflection of how the people feel towards these abusive powers. The goal of this fight against oppression is to push for equality and justice. The eventual hope is to achieve social and political reforms that are equally reflective of all members of society, not just the upper class.

The movement has gained increasing support over the past decade due to increased officer-related killings of unarmed people of color. We should all be granted equal human rights and the fact is that these killings are a direct violation of those rights. According to Amnesty “unlawful use of force by police can result in people being deprived of their right to life”.

These issues don't just affect minorities and people of color, they affect all of us. We are all part of society and these issues represent real problems within the system. Humman rights are something we all want and deserve, so why should this be limited to the dominant races within society.

The view that police officers take according to Vox is “Officers are conditioned to see themselves as constantly in danger and that the only way to guarantee survival is to dominate the citizens they’re supposed to protect”.

Abusive policing has ties to Racism and discrimination that have been part of American culture for too long and it is still an active issue in our nation today. This movement highlights how our political system has failed the people.

In the hometown of Minneapolis where George Floyd was killed protestors set fire to the police precinct, the message is clear. People are tired of the abuse, in order to make a change, these systems have to be burned down and rebuilt with the ideals of the people who make up our society, not the dominant class.

George Floyd's death was an iconic setting in motion the phrase “I can't breath” which is being chanted all around the nation. This phrase is a direct representation of the institutional racism that has been oppressing people throughout American history. These protests are calling for reform against a government that chooses to ignore human rights and not grant equality and justice for its citizens.

Society has reached a tipping point where the injustices of our government can no longer be ignored. In order to make a change, there must be change, systems need to be reformed, dominant powers within society need to be regulated, and the people's voices need to be heard. The government has turned a blind eye to the people it represents for too long creating inequality and abusive powers within society. We the people must stand together because these issues reflect the nation we represent and our beliefs/interests.