Winning and losing at the same time

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of the paper is to summarize the author’s negative experiences with police. The author seeks to enlighten readers to the differential experiences of blacks and whites in police interactions.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper is an essay that details the author’s negative experiences with police, while living in a mid-sized Midwestern city.

Research limitations/implications

The key research implication of the paper is that whites and blacks often have qualitatively different experiences with the police in local communities. While black professionals may be experiencing professional success at work, they may also grapple with racial slights and harassment that undermine their overall physical and psychological wellbeing.

Practical implications

Practically, this paper highlights the needs for police departments to train police on unconscious biases that lead to potential violence against black people. Prospective police officers should be screened on their racial attitudes and ideology to ensure they are equipped to police a broad array of citizens.

Social implications

Socially, the paper underscores the unique experiences of black people with police compared to their white counterparts. To reduce cultural mistrust among blacks against whites, the latter must show empathy and understanding when blacks report instances of racial harassment and mistreatment. Also, whites who witness racial harassment perpetrated by their families, friends, and people in general, should speak out against such practices.

Originality/value

The author thinks the paper is original in that it chronicles his unique, negative experiences with police as a black man in America. The author provides a theoretical background to understand the recent uptick in police violence against blacks and provide helpful tips for moving forward to improve intergroup relations.

Citation

McKay, P.F. (2020), "Winning and losing at the same time", Equality, Diversity and Inclusion, Vol. 39 No. 7, pp. 761-767. https://doi.org/10.1108/EDI-06-2020-0153