Last Updated 10-26-24

Film description:

• After a quarter-century behind bars, Brandon Jackson is fighting back against Louisiana’s last Jim Crow law.
• In 1997, Brandon Jackson was convicted for a crime he said he did not commit. An Applebee’s restaurant outside of Shreveport, Louisiana was robbed for $6,500. Nobody was injured. There was no physical evidence connecting him to the crime.
• At trial, two jurors voted to acquit him. In 48 states, it would have been a mistrial, and he may have walked free, but Louisiana’s Jim Crow-era laws, designed to lock up Black defendants, allowed for nonunanimous jury convictions. Jackson was sentenced to life.
• Conviction opens in the days after Brandon Jackson has been released on parole after 25 years in jail. The film follows Jackson as he grapples with the agoraphobia, paranoia and alienation borne of a quarter-century of unjust imprisonment.
• The menial work available to him triggers memories of the slavery-like conditions at Louisiana’s notorious plantation prisons. He struggles against a parole system that demands more than $11,000 in fees and sends officers to his home before dawn. He concludes he is “free but not free”.
• Over time, he finds community in a support group for formerly imprisoned people, and a sense of purpose advocating to reverse Louisiana’s last Jim Crow law.
• Conviction is a portrait of one man’s quest to adjust to life on the outside and help the more than 1,500 people he left behind in prison with nonunanimous, Jim Crow convictions. Source: https://www.aljazeera.com/program/fault-lines/2024/6/26/conviction-free-after-25-years-of-unjust-imprisonment

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Supplemental: Policing The Black Man eBook and Audiobook, Ed. by Angela J. Davis

Book Summary

“Policing the Black Man: Arrest, Prosecution, and Imprisonment,” edited by Angela J. Davis, is a critical anthology that explores the systemic issues surrounding the policing of Black men in America. The book compiles essays and analyses from various scholars, activists, and legal experts who discuss the historical and contemporary challenges faced by Black men within the criminal justice system. It addresses the intersections of race, law enforcement, and the legal system, providing a comprehensive examination of how racial bias manifests in policing, arrest practices, prosecution, and incarceration. Through its diverse perspectives, the anthology aims to shed light on the urgent need for reform and the importance of addressing racial disparities in the criminal justice system.

The outline that follows captures the main themes and structure of “Policing the Black Man,” highlighting the critical discussions within the anthology regarding the systemic challenges faced by Black men in the criminal justice system. The book serves as an important resource for understanding the complexities of race, policing, and the urgent need for reform in the pursuit of justice and equality.

I. Introduction

• Overview of the book’s purpose: to highlight the systemic issues of policing Black men
• Introduction to Angela J. Davis and her role as an editor and scholar
• The significance of understanding the intersections of race and the criminal justice system

II. Historical Context of Policing Black Men

• Examination of the historical roots of policing and its impact on Black communities
• Discussion of slavery, Jim Crow laws, and their influences on contemporary policing practices
• Overview of the evolution of law enforcement in relation to race

III. The Impact of Racial Profiling

• Analysis of racial profiling and its effects on Black men and communities
• Personal narratives and statistics illustrating the prevalence of profiling in policing
• Discussion of the psychological and social implications of being targeted by law enforcement

IV. Arrest Practices and Legal Outcomes

• Examination of arrest practices that disproportionately affect Black men
• Analysis of the legal processes following arrests, including bail, charges, and plea deals
• Insights into how systemic bias influences outcomes within the legal system

V. Prosecutorial Discretion and Racial Disparities

• Exploration of the role of prosecutors in shaping criminal justice outcomes for Black men
• Discussion of prosecutorial discretion and its impact on sentencing and plea bargaining
• Examination of systemic inequalities in prosecution rates and outcomes

VI. Incarceration and Its Consequences

• Analysis of the mass incarceration of Black men and its societal implications
• Discussion of the conditions within prisons and their impact on individuals and families
• Exploration of the long-term consequences of incarceration on communities and future generations

VII. Activism and the Push for Reform

• Overview of grassroots movements and activism aimed at reforming policing practices
• Discussion of policy proposals and initiatives to address racial disparities in the criminal justice system
• Examination of the role of community engagement in advocating for change

VIII. Perspectives on Justice and Accountability

• Exploration of alternative models of justice that address systemic racism
• Discussion of the need for accountability within law enforcement and the legal system
• Insights into successful initiatives and reforms that promote equity and justice

IX. Conclusion

• Summary of key themes and insights from the anthology
• Reflection on the importance of addressing systemic issues in policing and the criminal justice system
• A call to action for continued advocacy and reform to achieve racial equity and justice

“Policing the Black Man: Arrest, Prosecution, and Imprisonment,” edited by Angela J. Davis, is an essential anthology that critically examines the systemic issues surrounding the policing of Black men in the United States. Through a collection of essays and contributions from various scholars, activists, and legal experts, the book highlights the pervasive racial biases that influence law enforcement practices, the criminal justice system, and the broader implications for Black communities.

“Policing the Black Man: Arrest, Prosecution, and Imprisonment” provides a comprehensive exploration of the issues surrounding the policing and criminalization of Black men in America. Here’s a deeper look into the key themes, arguments, and contributions found within the anthology:

Key Themes and Insights

1. Historical Context of Policing:
   • The anthology delves into the historical roots of policing in America, tracing its origins from slave patrols and the enforcement of Jim Crow laws. This historical perspective is crucial for understanding how contemporary policing practices are deeply intertwined with a legacy of racial oppression.
   • Contributors discuss how the criminalization of Black bodies has persisted over time, shaping the relationship between law enforcement and Black communities.
2. Racial Profiling:
   • Racial profiling is a central theme throughout the book, with various essays providing personal narratives and statistical analyses that demonstrate its prevalence. The contributors articulate the harmful effects of being disproportionately targeted by law enforcement, which leads to a cycle of mistrust and fear within Black communities.
   • The psychological impact of racial profiling on individuals and communities is also explored, highlighting the long-term consequences of such discriminatory practices.
3. Arrest Practices and Disparities:
   • The book examines arrest practices that disproportionately affect Black men, including the reasons behind these disparities. Contributors analyze how systemic biases influence decisions made by law enforcement officers during stops and arrests.
   • The discussion extends to the legal processes following arrests, shedding light on how racial biases continue to shape outcomes in the judicial system, from bail decisions to charges filed.
4. Prosecutorial Discretion:
   • The role of prosecutors in the criminal justice system is critically analyzed, particularly how prosecutorial discretion can perpetuate racial disparities. Essays highlight the factors that influence sentencing, plea bargaining, and the overall treatment of Black defendants in the legal system.
   • The contributors emphasize the need for greater accountability and transparency in prosecutorial practices to dismantle systemic inequalities.
5. Mass Incarceration:
   • The anthology addresses the phenomenon of mass incarceration, particularly its impact on Black men and their communities. Contributors discuss the factors contributing to high incarceration rates, including the War on Drugs and mandatory minimum sentencing laws.
   • The societal implications of mass incarceration, such
6. Impact of Incarceration on Communities:
   • The book discusses the ripple effects of incarceration on families, communities, and society at large. Contributors explore how mass incarceration disrupts family structures, affects economic stability, and perpetuates cycles of poverty and disenfranchisement.
   • The long-term consequences of incarceration extend beyond the individual, impacting children and future generations. The stigma associated with having a criminal record can hinder employment opportunities, housing stability, and access to education.
7. Activism and Grassroots Movements:
   • The anthology highlights the role of grassroots activism in challenging systemic injustices within policing and the criminal justice system. Contributors discuss movements such as Black Lives Matter, which have emerged in response to police violence and racial profiling.
   • The book emphasizes the importance of community organizing and advocacy in pushing for policy reforms and holding law enforcement accountable. Activists are portrayed as vital agents of change who work to raise awareness and mobilize communities around issues of justice and equality.
8. Policy Proposals and Reform Efforts:
   • Various contributors present policy proposals and reform efforts aimed at addressing the systemic issues highlighted throughout the book. These proposals include measures such as implementing body cameras, revising use-of-force policies, and increasing community oversight of police departments.
   • The need for comprehensive criminal justice reform is underscored, with calls for a re-evaluation of current practices and a commitment to addressing racial disparities in policing and sentencing.
9. Perspectives on Justice and Accountability:
   • The anthology explores alternative models of justice that focus on restorative practices rather than punitive measures. Contributors discuss the potential for community-based solutions that prioritize healing and reconciliation.
   • The need for accountability within law enforcement is emphasized, with discussions on mechanisms for ensuring that police departments are held responsible for misconduct and abuse of power.
10. Intersectionality of Race, Class, and Gender:
    • Several essays address how race intersects with other social identities, including class and gender, to compound the effects of policing and criminalization. The experiences of Black women and LGBTQ+ individuals within the criminal justice system are also examined, highlighting the need for an intersectional approach to justice.
    • The importance of understanding these complexities is stressed, as it allows for a more nuanced analysis of how systemic oppression operates and how it can be effectively challenged.

Conclusion

“Policing the Black Man” serves as a critical resource for understanding the systemic challenges faced by Black men within the criminal justice system. Angela J. Davis’s editorial vision brings together diverse voices and perspectives that collectively illuminate the urgent need for reform and the importance of confronting racial biases in policing.

The anthology not only highlights the historical and contemporary realities of racial injustice but also emphasizes the power of activism, community engagement, and policy reform in the pursuit of justice. By fostering a deeper understanding of these issues, the book calls upon readers to engage actively in the fight against systemic racism and to advocate for a more equitable legal system.

Overall, “Policing the Black Man” is a significant contribution to the discourse on race and justice in America, encouraging dialogue and action toward dismantling the structures that perpetuate racial disparities in policing and incarceration.

I: Policing the Black Man, Ed. by Angela J. Davis_eBook

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II: Policing the Black Man Audiobook, Ed. by Angela J. Davis_ Audiobook

Learn more in RBG Communiversity Knowledge Media eLibrary:

• Prisons, Slavery, Policing and Imperialism (The Correctional-Industrial Complex [CIC]) Folder
• BPM | BLM Audiobooks Folder
• BPM | BLM eBooks Folder
• NAIM eBooks, Tracts & Pamphlets Folder