Black Women, Police Violence, and Victim Blaming

• In Event: Police-Victim Relations and Reporting

Abstract

Existing literature on race and American policing indicates that people of color are disproportionately subjected to use of force. Scholars contend that such disparities are grounded in historical racial discrimination and stereotypes. This body of research, however, does not frequently discuss how police violence uniquely affects women of color and the empathy (or lack thereof) that follows victimization. Accordingly, this analysis uses Black feminism as a lens to examine the framing of media accounts of Black women as well as the public reactions to such accounts. The findings demonstrate the frequency of language, both implicit and explicit, that perpetuates misogynoir and victim blaming when recounting and responding to incidents of police violence experienced by Black women. Implications for research, theory, and policy will be discussed.

Author

• Miltonette Craig, Sam Houston State University