(https://usa.newonnetflix.info/info/80156688/s)
According to the Statistic Atlas, 54.8% of Flint's population is black. Although there are people of color on the police force, including the police chief, racial tension between police and civilians runs pretty high. In one episode, about five officers were dispatched to a house where they took possession of someone's car. The citizens were angry and talking to a female officer who was white. One of the civilians remarked about the officer, "Well, she's white. She can do whatever she wants. They're all white". The camera then panned out to show the rest of the officers at the scene- most of which were black. Clearly the woman was probably just taking her anger out on the situation. However, this is an example of how race is connected in many instances between officers and citizens. This tension contributes to the fear of each other that is amplified by other factors. Over the past few years, police brutality has been a relevant topic on social media and news cycles. Police brutality has been evident for decades and there are legitimate cases of this. Police officers are not immune to bias; they are citizens themselves. It's completely possible for biased people to come into positions of power. However, this series shows the perspective from police officers. In the show, various black officers admit that police brutality is a problem in America but it's not always what it seems. Overall the police force in Flint seems worried that media sources latch onto these situations as a source of profit instead of legitimate change.
Low budgeting also contributes to the overall fear between officers and citizens of Flint. The show talks a lot about how low the budget for the police department is; they only have about 100 officers to patrol the whole city. Police officers often aren't able to get to all the calls they receive in one day. The show also mentions that many police officers have to report to dangerous calls alone when they should have a partner for safety. In one episode, a group of mothers were outside with their children and a group of people come around shooting off guns randomly. They call 911 multiple times over the course of several hours and it wasn't until later that day a police officer was able to respond. The citizens showed clear distaste for the amount of time they had to wait. Many citizens don't understand the financial shortages of the police department; they think that officers just avoid high crime areas. They are worried about the crime and danger in their neighborhoods, which is completely understandable. This misunderstanding just amplifies the divide and fear between citizens and police officers.
There are various circumstances that combine to create fear between citizens and police officers in Flint. Just a few of them are racial tension, police brutality, and low budgeting. Overall, this show has opened my eyes. I think that it's very important to look at things with open eyes and to always be critical. I've realized that nothing is immune from bias. One of the most important things the show exposed me to is the crisis in Flint and similar cities. These cities are highly divided because of people's fears of each other. A lot of these fears are based in bias and misunderstanding. The police department in Flint initiated a program to try to build a bridge between the divide. They created a volunteer unit so people could see the daily activities of police officers. They encourage openness and suggestions on how to be better. Hopefully programs like this provide a step towards change for citizens and officers.
Terrific post. Highly layered issue, and you approached it with great nuance and subtlety. Great writing.
ReplyDeleteNothing has really changed in Flint for decades. The auto manufacturing sector there collapsed due to the 70s fuel crisis, doing an irreparable number to that town. A town that used to be one of the more vibrant African American communities in the US.
There's a Roger Moore film called "Roger & Me" that highlights how the abandonment of Flint by GM and Ford killed the city. These issues today are just derivative of that same lack of economic structure.
I'm conflicted on the police issue. I understand many departments lack funding. But, they're not the only department there. They also don't have a particularly high population. With 100 officers on the force, even if only 50 are on patrol, in a city that size, there's no reason a shots fired call shouldn't be answered immediately. This kind of stuff breeds mistrust. With a lack of transparency, how can we, the public, know if that is truly the case? We can find these same systemic issues in our city, but KCPD does not lack funding or bodies. They receive 70% of our municipal budget, but all categories of violent crime have risen in this city, spurred by very specific areas, for three years running. At a certain point, money is a cop out to me. The problem may just be policing practices. The money isn't being spent effectively.
-Alex Giangreco
I guess the question I would have here is - is there a point, a situation in which it is okay to suspend the ethical and begin to act as true individuals without the semblance of community or society, or even ego, to keep us in line? Does that point exist? Is Flint closer or farther away to that point? I know I can't answer, I suppose it's not really for us in our discourse classes to decide - Actually maybe when that point comes it's not a decision.
ReplyDelete- Brandon Ince
Flint, Michigan is a great example for the way things are going in the United States. The problem with clean water should be the top priority for the government officials, but it has been months since this issue was brought into the public eye and nothing has changed. Our infrastructure received a D rating from the American Society of Civil Engineers, our roads and buildings are crumbling but our politicians are paid not to care. It's truly shocking to see where the majority of Americans stand on topics, and our politicians stance on the same topics aren't even in the ballpark, they have been disconnected from the people because of money, and they why we should no longer call ourselves a Democracy. We are an Oligarchy. I didn't talk about the police much, but I believe access to clean water is a bigger issue.
ReplyDeleteCarter
I almost wonder that if the police and the citizens were able to set down and talk about what is causing the tension if things would change. They obviously don't want to let everyone know that they are short on officers because then people would act out but if they can come to a mid ground of understanding the anger wouldn't be so high. The cops are stretching thierselves thin to cover a big amount of ground and the citizens are mad because they feel as though they aren't being attended to. It's almost as though that tiny town is fighting something civil within themselves and the rest of the world is going to let things continue as is. They haven't any clean water to this day but imagine if they had no water period.
ReplyDelete-Dianesa Sanon
I have had similar experience. I live in a not so awesome neighborhood and on New Years I heard automatic gun fire, probably celebratory, coming from one of the houses that is next to my building. I called 911 and was put on hold for 15-20 min. before I was connected to someone. I am torn beteween knowing they are strapped for money, wanting to ask someone for help, and wanting to be left alone by police... I'm sure I will figure it out in time
ReplyDeleteI have heard a number of controversial theories as it relates to Flint and the adversity they are facing. I am very intrigued to find out that they have a Netflix series documenting its progress to validate or dismantle the concepts that I have heard. As it pertains to this article, I think that these are very great issues to be brought to attention although they may be complex ideals. A lot of issues that arise between groups is based on generalization, which is a logical fallacy.
ReplyDelete-Kyra Moore
I agree with your final statement in your post that media sources like this will draw the most attention to the issues that often get throw aside. The issues that you described in Flint are at an apex of any urbanized area in this country. The lack of quality policing, and low average GDP in these areas seem to perpetuate the tensions and lead to more crime in these areas. Outside media sources are probably the best way to shed light on these issues. However, I believe that its important for this media sources to be as unbiased as they can and represent both spectrums equally.
ReplyDelete- Kyle Gardner
Good post! I agree that most of the fear from law enforcement is due to misunderstandings. It is difficult to communicate in a community where there’s no direct knowledge of the culture. America has a long way to go until we to the point of bridging the gap of our culture understanding of one another. It is almost like there is a one size fits all way of thinking. Furthermore, law enforcement do not (or at least to my understanding) require some type of direct cultural understanding of the area that they patrol. What do I mean by direct cultural understanding? For example, when a person has two different types of groups the her or she hangs put with. One group may have a particular was of speaking and the other may have another. But in America, we have thousands of nationhood’s and thousands of different ways of thinking. That’s where the challenge lays!
ReplyDelete-Rob D
That was scary. Flint, Michigan is one of the violent cities in America and to be honest; I wouldn’t want to live there. Even Republican voters elected a Government whos agenda is to take over local politics Detroit and Flint to limit Democrats Voting power that the crisis this crisis just a result of the programme to disenfranchise black and poor voters, the Government needs to get arrested. The state of Michigan government knew about the toxins in the water for almost a year. Then when they were caught lying to people, it was too late to do anything to stop it.
ReplyDelete-Kendra ZeMenye
Bailey,
ReplyDeleteGreat topic! While the police in Flint have insufficient funding and resources to provide adequate service, police brutality can be a difficult issue to address. Many tactics in Criminal Procedure are used to deter violations of an individual's rights by law enforcement. Millions of people are arrested and then processed every year and the statistics for police brutality are still strikingly low. I agree that there is still bias in law enforcement as well as with anyone and that most hate/bias crimes committed by law enforcement are unreported on the basis that there is insufficient evidence to prove it in court. However, there are many laws and regulations in place to deter police misconduct such as the exclusionary rule, "fruit of the poisonous tree" doctrine, etc.. in which an individual may seek legal justice for their rights and law enforcement agents can be punished.
Great post, I love the thoughtfulness and conversations it brought!
-Aly Hernandez