XULAneXUS
Publication Date
12-20-2019
Abstract
Abstract
This essay exposes the United States corrupt law enforcement and the psychological aspects of racism. It initially presents a connection between the 1960s and our contemporary time. Police Brutality in The United States illustrates what has and continues to affect the lives of African Americans. This essay broadcasts the injustices faced in the everyday lives of African Americans by unmasking the inequality and racist ideologies that the United States has been founded on. Initially it discusses the time period of which “Going to Meet the Man” was written. Baldwin’s piece is successfully compared and contrasted to demonstrate the connection between injustices of police brutality and toxic masculinity. It also discusses the similarity in brutality faced in this contemporary moment. Police Brutality in The United States demands justice for the fallen soldiers who’ve fought for equality and lost their lives due to racism. According to mappingpoliceviolence.org the United States law enforcement killed 1,147 people in 2017. African Americans were only 25% of the population murdered, they are only 13% of the population. There were only 23 days in 2018 that law enforcement did not kill any individuals. African Americans are three times more likely to be murdered by law enforcement than White people. Within these murders 21% of African American victims were unarmed. This shows that it has never been about crime. It has always been about the color of their skin. There is no accountability for law enforcements actions, 99% of cases in 2015 did not result in officers being convicted of their crimes. Baldwin’s short story illustrates the literal and psychological emasculation of African Americans through vivid flashbacks. This short story highlights injustice and racism within a corrupt institution that represents the United States.
Recommended Citation
Akpan, Sinai
(2019)
"James Baldwin’s “Going to Meet the Man” and Police Brutality in The United States,"
XULAneXUS: Vol. 17:
Iss.
1, Article 1.
Available at:
https://digitalcommons.xula.edu/xulanexus/vol17/iss1/1