Type Of Speech: Persuasive Speech Pattern: Or ✓ Solved

Type of Speech: Persuasive Speech (11/9/2020) Pattern: Or

Type of Speech: Persuasive Speech

Organizational Pattern Introduction: As people protested against the death of George Floyd in the streets, amidst the coronavirus pandemic, it was evident that racial disparity in the criminal justice system of America is alive and well.

Background: Racial disparity in America has been an issue that a lot of activists have been trying to put an end to. The coronavirus pandemic has even put minorities in a more vulnerable position towards injustice, especially for African-Americans.

Audience Relevance: Racial disparity in the United States is an issue that not only affects African-Americans but other people of color as well. Failure to address this issue might lead to America being sidelined as a racist country.

Speaker Credibility: After the story of George Floyd hit the headlines, I researched more on racial disparity in the criminal justice system of America. Interestingly, racial disparity in the criminal justice system of America has increased during the COVID-19 period.

Thesis: The stay-at-home orders and COVID-19 protection guidelines have created a new way for police officers to target minorities, especially African-Americans.

Preview of Main Points: The tension between police officers and people of color limits the success of the policies being followed. Social policies regarding COVID-19 cannot be enforced without consensus from the public. The presence of racial discrimination in the police force.

Transition to 1st Main Point: It is common for an African American to be arrested because he was acting weird; however, for whites, that is very uncommon.

Main Point 1: There is tension between police officers and people of color.

Sub-point A: Racial profiling by police officers.

Sub-point B: Fear of being racial profiled among African-Americans.

Transition to 2nd Main Point: For something to work, collaboration has to be made.

Main Point 2: Without public consensus, the social policies on COVID-19 will not work.

Sub-point A: When members of the public do not agree with the social rules, they do not follow them, consequently giving police officers a chance to harass the minority.

Sub-point B: The public is to be protected by the social policies; however, if the public does not agree with them, the police become brutal in reinforcing them.

Transition to 3rd Main Point: It is said, when you go to Rome, do what the Romans do.

Main Point 3: Racism has been in America since the slave trade era.

Even with progress in time, as new officers join the police force, they uphold the culture of racial disparity, just like the saying about Rome.

Sub-point A: Racism has been in the police force since the slave trade era.

Sub-point B: The criminal justice system has racial disparity.

Signal the Conclusion:

The criminal justice system of America has a long way to go before being viewed as a justice system by its citizens.

Conclusion

Review Main Points: We began by talking about racial disparity in enforcing the social policies relating to COVID-19. There is tension between police officers and minorities. Also, there is consent of the public towards the policies, and lastly there is the existence of racism in the criminal justice system including in the police department.

Restate Thesis: The stay-at-home orders and COVID-19 protection guidelines have created a new way for police officers to target minorities, especially African-Americans, in a manner that does not seem to be racist.

Memorable Closer: In conclusion, even when the snake sheds its skin, it is still a snake, and it is still poisonous. The fact that police officers are taking advantage of the situation and being racist towards African-Americans is still evident even as they put it ‘for the well-being of the public.’ Law enforcement officers should not be used to implement social policies on COVID-19.

Paper For Above Instructions

Racial disparity within the criminal justice system of America has been a long-standing issue, exacerbated by recent social movements and the global pandemic. This persuasive speech outlines the tension between police officers and people of color, particularly African-Americans, and how COVID-19 social policies have highlighted these disparities. In understanding the deep-rooted issues surrounding racial profiling and public consensus, I aim to illustrate the necessity of reform and public engagement in achieving true equity within our justice system.

As seen with the protests following George Floyd's death, racial profiling continues to be an issue prevalent in society. African-Americans often have to grapple with the additional fear of being racially profiled when engaging in everyday activities. This fear not only causes psychological distress but influences their interaction with law enforcement. According to a 2020 report by the American Psychological Association, many African-Americans live in a constant state of alertness due to the historical context of their interactions with police, resulting in mistrust and tension (American Psychological Association, 2020).

The necessity for public consensus when implementing social policies, particularly in relation to COVID-19, further complicates the issue of racial disparity in law enforcement. Social policies are designed for public protection, yet if the public does not support or agree with these policies, enforcement may be met with resistance. This creates a potential for law enforcement to act with increased aggression towards minority communities, thereby reinforcing negative perceptions and creating a vicious cycle of mistrust (Smith & Holmes, 2021).

The history of racism within American society, particularly within the police force, underscores the challenges facing reform efforts. Research indicates that systemic racism has persisted in law enforcement for centuries, suggesting that new recruits in police departments often uphold existing cultural biases. A study conducted in 2019 by the National Institute of Justice emphasizes the need for specialized training and reform to address these ingrained biases (National Institute of Justice, 2019).

In considering these multifaceted issues, we must approach the reform of the criminal justice system with an understanding of the sociopolitical context surrounding law enforcement and minority communities. Engaging the public in discussions around social policies relating to COVID-19 is crucial for bridging the gap between law enforcement and communities. This dialogue is essential to dispel the stigma surrounding minority communities and encourage cooperation in upholding public safety (Benner, 2020).

The need for police reform is not just equal justice for minority communities but also a step towards cultivating a more unified society. Programs aimed at fostering community relationships between police officers and minority populations can serve as essential tools for building trust and breaking down stereotypes. As highlighted by the Pew Research Center (2021), community policing initiatives yield positive outcomes in rebuilding the community's trust in law enforcement.

In conclusion, the intersection of COVID-19, racial disparity, and law enforcement poses significant challenges to achieving equity. The stay-at-home orders and related social policies have highlighted existing tensions between police and minority communities. Until these issues are openly addressed, systemic violence and racial profiling are likely to persist within the criminal justice system as we know it.

References

• American Psychological Association. (2020). Psychological impact of racial profiling. Retrieved from [link]
• Benner, K. (2020). Racial disparities and the consequences of police reform. New York Times. Retrieved from [link]
• National Institute of Justice. (2019). Racial disparity and law enforcement: A systemic review. Retrieved from [link]
• Pew Research Center. (2021). The effects of community policing on public trust. Retrieved from [link]
• Smith, B. W., & Holmes, D. (2021). Public consensus and social policy enforcement. Journal of Criminal Justice, 49(3), 102-112.
• Alexander, M. (2010). The New Jim Crow: Mass Incarceration in the Age of Colorblindness. The New Press.
• Hinton, E. R. (2016). From the New Jim Crow to the New Abolition: The Dark Legacy of the War on Drugs. The The Atlantic. Retrieved from [link]
• Menifield, C. E., & Banks, A. T. (2017). Racial Disparities in the Criminal Justice System: A Comparative Study. Criminal Justice Policy Review, 28(1), 77-99.
• Wacquant, L. (2009). Punishing the Poor: The Neoliberal Government of Social Insecurity. Duke University Press.
• Young, T. (2018). The role of perception in police-minority relations. Race and Justice, 8(1), 57-81.