Social Injustice

Robert Schwartz

AFS 346/Ray

2/17/15

Essay 2

Social Injustice in the African American Community

Rodney King was an American construction worker who became publicly known after being beaten by Los Angeles Police Department officers in 1991 following a high-speed car chase. Four officers beat King almost to death for no reason at all, and most think because he was Black. Four officers were charged with assault, and three were acquitted of all charges. The fourth was acquitted of assault with a deadly weapon, but failed to reach verdict on the use of excessive force (“Hate”). This brings up the first reason why people were outraged by the verdict. The verdict alone was a justifiable reason to be outraged. A man was beaten severely, and almost died, and the party responsible for this was in no way brought to justice. The Police Force strives on the very principles of our Constitution, and that being promoting peace and social justice in the American community in the most fair and professional manner. In this case, the Police did not hold to their core principles at all. King was beaten, whipped, kicked, punched, and even based multiple times resulting in an immediate hospital visit (“Hate”). People were outraged because the verdict was a social injustice, and that was just one of the many reasons for their outrage. President George H. W. Bush said, "Viewed from outside the trial, it was hard to understand how the verdict could possibly square with the video. Those civil rights leaders with whom I met were stunned. And so was I and so was Barbara and so were my kids." Another reason for their outrage was the race selection of the jurors. The jury had 12 jurors. Ten jurors were white, one was Latino, and one was Asian (“Hate”). People were outraged that not even one African American was on the jury. Many people thought this was racist, and led to a biased...