To pretend that militarization is the sole disrupting force causing instability in the relationship between law enforcement and communities of people of color is inconsistent with past struggles with the police. Militarization has been built into pre-existing violence. It heightens the detriment already caused by over-policing and …show more content…
The prioritized war on drugs and war on crime has fueled the growth of the number of police paramilitary units. These modern police forces have developed the “us vs. them” mindset of a soldier, which has been fostered by both federal and state governments through a series of programs supplying legal and financial support and defending law enforcement from criticism. The violence against people of color and the isolation of the urban poor is in turn intensified. Moving forward, demilitarization and disarmament of law enforcement is necessary for the safety of civilians, notably people of