One of the key outcomes of the civil rights movement was the diversification of America’s urban police forces. Faced with new federal policies and emerging demands from African American and Latino political leaders, police departments from Philadelphia to Milwaukee to Houston wrestled with how diverse police forces would impact neighborhoods of color. Justin DeSenso will discuss the implications of being black-and-blue, and what policing while black teaches us about American policing writ large. His talk will pay particular attention to specific officers tasked with policing Harlem and Brooklyn between 1950-1970.

This LionSide Chat will be presented by:
Justin DeSenso
Associate Teaching Professor