Unveiling the Power of Black Feminist Thought in Challenging U.S. Policing Methods

Abstract

Despite society's continued focus on police brutality against the Black community, few studies center on Black women's experiences with past and current policing methods in the United States. This conceptual and theoretical piece examines the need to address the systemic marginalization experienced by Black women during encounters with law enforcement, underscored by their disproportionate victimization through police violence compared to their white and male counterparts. Additionally, this manuscript highlights the context of the police mistreatment of Black individuals, which has led to social movements like Black Lives Matter, emphasizing the need for institutional transformation to rectify the historical abuse of Black women by the police. Underscoring how systemic oppression intersects with Black women's police and social movement experiences, this manuscript advocates using the Black feminist thought framework to challenge patriarchal dynamics, promote intersectional analyses, and foster equitable social justice movements. Recommendations for program development and culturally competent policies are also presented.