Roundtable: “Humanizing” the Badge: How Blue Lives Matter Means Black Lives Don’t

Session Submission Type: Roundtable Session

Abstract

Left in the wake of the BlackLivesMatter movement’s attempt to visualize black bodies murdered, victimized, and antagonized by police officers across the nation is not only the belief that more attention has focused on police accountability and visibility, but also a growing movement of pro-policing titled Blue Lives Matter. A recent flood of States have recently introduced ‘Blue Lives Matter’ bills, making it a hate crime to resist anybody in blue. This roundtable intends to address the contrasting Blue Lives Matter movement that looks to ‘humanize the badge,’ a process that seemingly requires the dehumanization of the black bodies the badge seems intent on victimizing. Important here is the process of making human Cops, a project that seemingly requires the dehumanization of their victims. Lastly, we look to discuss the ways in which identity operates in this space, focusing on how this rising ‘Blue Life’ mystifies the functions of cops while disavowing the capitalist realities of being a cop—as a job.

Sub Unit

• Area XIII: Roundtable Sessions

Discussants

• Justin Turner, Morehead State University

• Brian Pitman, Old Dominion University

• Stephen Toppings Young, Old Dominion University

• Ivan Benitez, Morehead State University