While body cams might have no effect on policing on average, it’s hard to imagine images like this of Adam Toledo with his hands up before being shot won’t move public opinion in similar ways to how DNA evidence changed attitudes about the death penalty. buzzfeednews.com/article/skbaer… 
Body cams are not systemic change but they can powerfully disrupt official narratives. In this case ”prosecutors initially said as the boy turned toward the officer, he had a gun in his right hand.” Only with the video’s release has that story changed. buzzfeednews.com/article/skbaer…
In 1960s, civil rights activists often strategically drew media attention to injustice of segregation by subjecting themselves to state violence. Similarly, body cams will, at times, produce footage that focuses media’s attention on current state violence. cnn.com/2021/04/11/us/…
Media bias can work both for and against those fighting for criminal justice reform. A bias towards official sources tends to bolster the status quo. A bias towards drama, conflict & action means body cam video of excess force can lead evening news and possibly change attitudes.
As in the 1960s, state and vigilante violence can result in trauma, injury and death. Media coverage then and body cam footage today does little to heal those wounds. Images that encapsulate injustice, however, can transform unthinkable suffering into sympathy, power and change.
• • •
Missing some Tweet in this thread? You can try to
force a refresh
