Summary
Since the death of Michael Brown in Ferguson, MO, last year, the U.S. has seen the growth of a new social movement that has focused national attention on policing tactics, criminal justice, and the continued health and social inequalities confronting black Americans today. Legislation that would require states to notify the U.S. Justice Department of all police shootings, fatal and non-fatal, has been introduced. President Obama made an historic visit to a federal prison to draw attention to the need for criminal justice reform. This Forum explored these efforts and other policy shifts over the past year, looking at what has — or has not — occurred in addressing these serious problems facing black Americans in today’s policing policies, the operation of the criminal justice system, and the continued presence of inequitable health and social conditions.
This discussion built upon a February 2015 Forum production that examined the intersection of race with policing practices, neighborhood environments, educational and employment opportunities, and other factors that impact health. We reconvened that panel of public health, social justice and legal experts to further explore their recommendations and the ongoing challenges of creating policy change.
Brief Video Highlight
Part of: Policy Controversies.
Presented in Collaboration with PRI’s The World & WGBH
Image Credit: © iStockphoto.com/Alex_Schmidt
