Social Media Synthesis Essay: The Black Lives Matter Movement

Ferguson, Trayvon Martin, the Black Lives Matter movement, Baltimore: no matter what really happened or what the correct version is, all of the mentioned incidents were needless tragedies sparked by perceived, or real, unjustified race-based inequalities in the administration of criminal justice. Media reports sensationalize these stories, social media applications make the news of the moment an international news piece in an instant, and the unintended, or perhaps intended, result is society as a whole loses the respect and trust for law enforcement, the very group of individuals who we are taught to trust, the very group of individuals who we are taught to respect, and the very group of individuals who we are taught to call upon whenever we need help. If we cannot trust and respect law enforcement and what it stands for, what happens to us as a society? Law enforcement must recognize the detrimental effects of negative public relations and take the necessary steps to regain the community’s trust and build positive relationships with the community. …show more content…
So what can be done to regain the community’s trust and build positive relationships with them? Be open with the community, transparency is key to building trust. Information sharing, inasmuch as possible, can go a long way in building trust. Transparency doesn’t mean law enforcement has to share every bit of knowledge known to them but in instances where information cannot be shared at that point in time, law enforcement could convey those reasons why it cannot be shared. Communicate with the community. How? Law enforcement can hold regular community meetings where community members can attend and executive staff members are available to be seen and open to answering any questions anyone may