4. Jim Crow Policing
Under Jim Crow, police played a central role in enforcing laws that mandated racial segregation and denied Black Americans basic civil rights. Officers arrested, harassed, and intimidated anyone who challenged these unjust rules, ensuring strict adherence to the racial order. These practices not only entrenched inequality but also left a lasting mark on community-police relationships, fostering mistrust and fear that still exist today. As NPR explains, the legacy of Jim Crow continues to shape American policing.
