While I am interested in a variety of national and international issues, United States social justice issues directly hit home. Growing up in the rural south, I was always aware of the subtle racial tensions that were a part of everyday life. As an African-American female, I took extra precaution to avoid stereotypes and be seen in the most favorable light. The increased access to social media over the past few years has brought to light many of the silent injustices that have disproportionately affected minorities, particularly in the realm of police brutality. Beyond an emotional attachment to these stories, it’s important that we look at the situation through the lens of American history. One of the major influence in the police brutality