“Just Because I am Black”: Ghanaian Men’s Encounters with Racial Discrimination in U.S. Police Interactions

• In Event: Immigration Enforcement and Social Control

Abstract

Despite extensive research on racialized policing in the United States, the unique experiences of Ghanaian men remain largely unexplored. This study employs a qualitative in-depth interview approach to examine how Ghanaian men interpret and navigate racial discrimination during their interactions with U.S. police. The data comes from a larger investigation into these experiences, based on interviews with fifteen Ghanaian men aged 27 to 48. It explores their encounters with racial discrimination and the impact of their immigrant identity on law enforcement interactions. The research addresses the following questions: (1) How do Ghanaian men perceive racial discrimination in encounters with law enforcement? (2) How does their identity as immigrants affect these interactions? (3) How do these experiences shape their views of the police? Previous studies suggest that Black immigrants often face similar racial biases as native-born Black Americans, resulting in negative police interactions. Preliminary findings indicate that long-term Ghanaian residents tend to report negative encounters attributed to discrimination, while recent arrivals, especially students, generally have neutral or positive experiences. This study aims to inform discussions around equitable policing and immigrant integration.

Author

• Martin Gbadago, Southern Illinois University Carbondale