Policing Black Lives Chapter Summary

Discrimination against minority groups has always been common, but invisible to the general public. The book Policing Black Lives: State Violence in Canada from Slavery to the Present by Maynard, Robyn highlights the “state violence against black persons in Canada” (Maynard, 2017, P.3). The author demonstrates solid connections between the issues of slavery in the past and the effects on modern society. Minority groups, especially African Canadians, who has been historically exploited and have been treated as tools more so than human beings. The book demonstrate these kind of treatment through Institutionalized racism, Neoliberalism and Deviance.

Institutionalized racism refers to the racial distinctions that are used to organize policy in

According to her mother, the child was treated like a “dog” or a “monster” (Maynard, 2017, P.208). The police reported that it was for the safety of other students. This type of action is common against black children along with “neglect, heightened surveillance and punishment for any obedience” (Maynard, 2017, P.209). In addition, the schools located in black communities are less funded compared to the other schools. Also black children are not seen as purity and venerability and when they are around 10 years of age, they are seen to be older and less innocent compare to the other groups of children (Maynard, 2017). The institutionalized racism in treatment of black children often lead to less educational advancement and increases the chance of doing crime. Secondly, the immigration polices were consider to be institutionalized racist until the late 1900s. For example, in 1896, the department of immigration in Canada was given extra recourses in order to prevent people of different race from coming into Canada and was given bonuses for every black migrant they turn away.

Norms are created and based on mostly the Europeans cultures in Canada. Deviance has always been associated with the black population ever since slavery. Firstly, Social control were used during slavery to maintain hierarchy. For example, black women has been label as valuable due to the ability to reproduce, however, they are often the subject to rape, physical abuse and psychological damage. In the case of the being raped and being impregnated, it was seen as against the norms of society when birth is given to a “mullato” (mixed of black and white). (Maynard, 2017, P.22) Baby. In order to maintain the social norms and the hierarchy system, the babies are removed from the mothers and are sent away. The removal of children demonstrates the consequences against norms and the dehumanization of the black population. In addition, social control was used to maintain social status. For example, after slavery was abolished, the black population were still seen as unwanted, many worked in low status jobs while still serving the whites such as shoes shinning. The social norms of society saw the black population as the inferior race, in order to maintain the status, the black populations are prevented from seeking higher level jobs or education. Lastly, laws were enforced to keep the slavery under control. For example, laws and punishments were put into place in order to prevent slaves from escaping. The risks