Law Enforcement and Racial Tension

by Dr. Lorrie C. Reed, M.Div., Ph.D

The historical relationship between Black individuals and law enforcement in the United States is characterized by deep-rooted tension and conflict, a complex dynamic with origins reaching back to slavery and evolving through Reconstruction, the Civil Rights Movement, and into modern times (NAACP, 2024). To fully understand this relationship, one must trace its beginnings. In the early 18th century, slave patrols appeared as some of the first organized police groups in America. Their main role was to catch runaway slaves and suppress potential uprisings. These patrols established an early, harsh link between law enforcement and the control of Black bodies (UAB, 2021). Here, the roots of mistrust were planted, laying the groundwork for centuries of struggle.

Moving into the post-Civil War period, during Reconstruction, Black communities dared to embrace their newfound freedoms amid violent opposition. The Ku Klux Klan and other White supremacist groups often acted unchecked, sometimes with the silent or overt support of local law enforcement (Foner, 1988). This era entrenched the exclusion and criminalization of Black individuals, reinforcing a legacy of inequality in the justice system.

As the 20th century progressed, the Great Migration led millions of Black Americans to move to cities in the North and West, seeking better lives away from the oppressive Jim Crow South. Still, even in these areas, they encountered new forms of discrimination and police violence. The Civil Rights Movement of the 1960s revealed ongoing injustices, bringing national attention to police brutality and discriminatory practices. The Watts Riots of 1965 and the Kerner Commission Report, for example, exposed the deep mistrust between Black communities and the police, highlighting systemic racism and economic inequality as the main causes.

The narrative of tension between Black communities and law enforcement in recent years has been defined by high-profile incidents of police violence, widespread protest, and demands for systemic change. The 2020 killing of George Floyd by Minneapolis police officers, captured on video, ignited global demonstrations under the Black Lives Matter banner and became a catalyst for renewed scrutiny of police practices (Elliott-Cooper, 2021). This period also saw the police killing of Breonna Taylor during a botched raid in Louisville in 2020, which highlighted issues with no-knock warrants and the use of force against Black women. The 2014 killing of Michael Brown in Ferguson, Missouri, and the subsequent protests brought sustained national attention to patterns of discriminatory policing and militarized police responses to dissent.

Scholarly analysis notes that these events are not isolated but are manifestations of deeply embedded structural racism within law enforcement and the criminal legal system. As scholar Alisa Bierria argues, these tensions are rooted in a historical legacy where police have functioned as instruments of racial control, and contemporary movements represent a “Black feminist praxis of community accountability” that seeks to redefine safety beyond policing (Bierria, 2020, p. 321).

A legacy of oppression and resistance marks this historical relationship between Black individuals and law enforcement. Understanding the complexities and heartaches of this history is essential for addressing current disparities and striving toward a more just and equitable society. Through this lens, one can see the path that demands acknowledgment, empathy, and unwavering commitment to change.

References

Bierria, A. (2020). “Community Accountability as a Black Feminist Praxis.” In The Palgrave Handbook of African Women’s Studies (pp. 317-332). Palgrave Macmillan.

Elliott-Cooper, A. (2021). Black resistance to British policing. Manchester University Press.

Foner, E. (1988). Reconstruction: America’s Unfinished Revolution, 1863-1877. Harper & Row. 

Kerner Commission. (1968). Report of the national advisory commission on civil disorders. U.S. Government Printing Office.

NAACP. (2024.) Origins of modern-day policing. Retrieved from https://naacp.org/find-resources/history-explained/origins-modern-day-policing

UAB (University of Alabama). (December 8, 2021). The history of policing in the U. S. and its impact on Americans today. Institute for Human Rights Blog. Retrieved from https://sites.uab.edu/humanrights/2021/12/08/the-history-of-policing-in-the-us-and-its-impact-on-americans-today/

Womanist Themes in Deep River Crossings

By Lorrie C. Reed, M.Div., Ph.D.

As a writer, I have been passionate about exploring justice and truth through the eyes of Black women. The womanist paradigm, as presented in Deep River Crossings, exposes the complex intersections of race, class, and gender primarily through the experiences of Hannah, a Black, educated, middle-class, spiritual woman navigating racial unrest in America. While many other womanist writings have been set in the past, I chose to uplift the characteristics of strong, contemporary Black women who are concerned about the intergenerational survival of their families and communities.

Hannah encounters many barriers as “deep river crossings,” a phrase inspired by my reading of Langston Hughes’ poem. A deep river crossing might be a physical or imagined barrier that complicates one’s progress in challenging situations. These barriers might present psychological, sociological, or even theological impediments. At the same time, deep river crossings are more than barriers. They are also transitional spaces that bridge the wisdom of one’s past and the unknowns of one’s future. Hence, the intergenerational wisdom of Black women comes into play.

Crossing deep rivers is not a task to be encountered in isolation. Moving forward requires a blend of self-reflection, looking back at experiences, engaging in conversations with the community, and seeking guidance through spiritual reflection. Safe passage will involve searching within oneself, connecting with others, and reaching out to the Divine for support. Sociopolitical events in my own life inspired Hannah’s responses to racial trauma in the novel.

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Advocating for Systemic Change

By Rev. Lorrie C. Reed, M. Div., Ph. D.

Hannah Price Bowie, Change Agent

Hannah’s path to becoming a justice advocate in her community is deeply rooted in the concept of Perspective Transformation, as espoused by John Mezirow (1991). This theory emphasizes a profound shift in one’s beliefs, values, and behavior, often triggered by a “disorienting dilemma.” For Hannah, this dilemma came in the form of witnessing the tragic loss of Black youths to gun violence in her community, including the loss of her son.

Hannah’s pivotal moment came when she lived through yet another young life lost to violence in her community. This stark reality hit her hard, highlighting systemic inequalities, lack of resources, and cycles of trauma. The urgent need to address these root causes became clear to her.

Hannah delved into deep self-reflection, considering how violence had shaped her own life and those around her. She engaged in critical conversations with friends and community members, uncovering shared experiences and common pain points. This introspection was crucial in shaping her perspective and commitment to change.

With a new lens on the issue, Hannah began to scrutinize her assumptions about violence, systemic inequalities, and the roles of various entities in perpetuating this cycle. She questioned the effectiveness of current policies and the societal structures that allowed such tragedies to persist.

Hannah realized that mere awareness was insufficient—the situation demanded a transformative approach. She acknowledged that addressing violence required systemic change and collective action, not just individual efforts.

Hannah explored various avenues for making a difference. She considered community-based solutions, supporting violence prevention programs, and advocating for policies aimed at systemic change. This exploration included researching successful models in other cities and speaking with activists and community leaders.

Armed with insights and ideas, Hannah crafted a detailed action plan. Her strategy included mobilizing resources, building partnerships with local organizations, and advocating for policy reforms. She aimed to implement community-led initiatives to address immediate safety concerns and long-term systemic issues.

Understanding the complexity of the problem, Hannah sought to enhance her skills. She attended workshops on community organizing, trauma-informed care, and conflict resolution and connected with mentors who had experience in advocacy and community work.

Hannah tested her new skills by actively participating in local initiatives. She collaborated with organizations focused on violence prevention, helped organize community events and engaged in advocacy efforts. This hands-on experience was vital in refining her approach.

Through continuous learning and practice, Hannah gained confidence. She sought feedback, participated in further training, and adjusted her strategies based on real-world experiences. Her growing competence bolstered her resolve to drive systemic change.

Hannah’s journey came full circle as she integrated her new skills and insights into her daily life. She advocated for justice, leading initiatives addressing systemic inequalities and promoting community resilience. Her work involved reflection, collaboration, and a steadfast commitment to preventing further loss of life within her family and community.

In her journey, Hannah transformed her perspective by navigating through each phase with determination and clarity. She catalyzed change in her community, striving to build a safer and more equitable environment for all.

As a change agent, Hannah’s role was pivotal in driving systemic change. Advocating for policies and practices that promote equity and social justice, working to dismantle systemic barriers that perpetuate inequality, was essential. Ensuring that marginalized groups have a voice in decision-making fosters empowerment. Providing education, training, and resources enhances community members’ abilities to participate actively in the change process, including leadership development and skills training (Milken Institute, 2020). Hannah’s persistent efforts transformed her troubled community.

References

Brown, F., Driver, S. R., & Briggs, C. A. (2000). The Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew and English lexicon. Hendrickson Publishers.

Mezirow, J. (1991, 2009). Transformative dimensions of adult learning. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass.

Milken Institute. (September, 2020). Strive for systems change. Philanthropist’s field guide. Retrieved from https://milkeninstitute.org/article/strive-systems-change

Characteristics of Womanism

By Lorrie C. Reed, M. Div., Ph.D.

Below are listings of the womanist characteristics that Clenora Hudson-Weems, Alice Walker, and Layli Phillips identified. Strong Black women throughout history have had a strong will to thrive at the intersection of race, class, and gender and to impact the well-being of their communities in the process. Not every strong Black woman adheres to a womanist agenda. Rather, these characteristics represent a way of living, moving, and having one’s being under challenging circumstances.

Clenora Hudson-Weems’ Womanism

Alice Walker’s Womanism

Layli Phillips’ Characteristics

The Deep River Crossings Concept

What is a deep river crossing?

By Lorrie C. Reed, M.Div., Ph.D.

A deep river crossing may be a physical or imagined barrier that complicates your progress in situations you encounter. Depending on your vantage point, what lies ahead may seem impossible to cross over or too high to attain. The barriers that lie ahead may be psychological, sociological, or theological. These obstacles, however, are not insurmountable or unnavigable.

Deep river crossings are liminal spaces. They represent the nexus between the lessons of the past and the uncertainties of the future. Overcoming the uncertainties will require reconnaissance or discovering the lay of the land through introspection, retrospection, community conversations, and theological reflection. In other words, your search for an appropriate route must occur from within the self, beyond the self in community with others, and transcendent to self in communication with the Divine.

Be encouraged! There is a way forward because people like you have made a similar journey. Researchers, counselors, chaplains, and others have documented their success and left a trail of resources for others to follow. This website is a repository of resources from professionals and other seasoned travelers on navigating life’s turbulent waters. The blog posts, visuals, and links on this site point to mental, physical, and spiritual tools for facing new challenges you will encounter. Materials on the site will also address some of the following concerns:

• How does the deep river crossing concept apply to you?
• What psychological, behavioral, and theological principles or theories apply?
• What are examples of persons who have successfully made a deep river crossing?
• Where can you find professional help to address your questions?
• How can you care for yourself as you meet new challenges?

Hopefully, the resources provided on this site will equip you for your journey and nourish you along the way. Please visit this site often for helpful suggestions. Safe travels!

Established on October 5, 2023