Police brutality is deeply rooted in American life. The media bombards us with “feel good” cop shows, films, and news stories that feed into an agenda to promote policing. This is called copaganda, and in order to combat it, we need to acknowledge and address underlying issues.
The glorification of police and their brutality is believed to have started with 1971’s film, “Dirty Harry.” By the late 1980’s, the show “Cops” solidified America’s obsession with police. Television shows and the media perpetuate the idea that police officers are never wrong, even when they use excessive force or violate fundamental human rights.
For every Jake Peralta and Olivia Benson that paints the police without fault, captured video, art installations, and independent media have served to obliterate the narrative that violent policing is necessary.
To challenge copaganda and dehumanization, we need to harness the power of creativity and ingenuity. This can include using art, media, and technology to raise awareness and promote change. When we think outside the box, we can find innovative ways of approaching this issue.
The implanted fear by the media has become leverage to push for more policing. Being aware of how the media we consume shapes our perceptions allows us to be more mindful of the stories we consume and create new ones to shift the narrative.