Community Awareness: Police Brutality in the U.S.
The tragic deaths of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, and Ahmaud Arbery have sparked a wave of renewed protests against police brutality across the United States. These nationwide uprisings have transformed into an intense interest from the public around understanding systemic racism and abuse of power. Millions of Americans and people around the world are watching incidents of police violence and excessive force captured on video, but are looking to learn about the inequalities at the root of these incidents.
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- Level Foundation
- Duration 17 hours
- Course by University of Michigan
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Offered by
About
The tragic deaths of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, and Ahmaud Arbery have sparked a wave of renewed protests against police brutality across the United States. These nationwide uprisings have transformed into an intense interest from the public around understanding systemic racism and abuse of power. Millions of Americans and people around the world are watching incidents of police violence and excessive force captured on video, but are looking to learn about the inequalities at the root of these incidents. While the calls of Black Lives Matter protesters to #DefundThePolice are being heard for the first time by many Americans, they are part of a longstanding effort by communities and activists to reinvest in communities rather than policing and prisons. In this course, you will learn about the history of police violence in America, become aware of laws and policies that prevent accountability, understand the demands of protesters, and gain the knowledge and tools to fight for change locally. The content for this Community Awareness course is adapted from a Teach-Out launched in July of 2020 from experts from across the United States involved in activism, social work, law, government, and higher education.Modules
Course Introduction
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1
Videos
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4
Readings
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1
Discussion
1
Discussions
- Introduce Yourself
1
Videos
- Ryan Henyard: Welcome to the Police Brutality in America Teach-Out
4
Readings
- Origins of this Course
- Groundrules for Engagement
- Meet the Teach-Out Contributors
- Help us learn more about you!
History & Evolution of Policing in America
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2
Videos
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4
Readings
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1
Discussion
1
Discussions
- Historical Reflection
2
Videos
- Angela Dillard: Law & Order in America
- R. L’Heureux Lewis-McCoy: Theoretical History of Abolition
4
Readings
- Module Introduction
- The Roots of Policing in the United States
- Black Lives Matter
- Optional: The 1619 Project
Seven Last Words
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1
Videos
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3
Readings
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1
Discussion
1
Discussions
- Seven Last Words of the Unarmed
1
Videos
- Eugene Rogers: Seven Last Words of the Unarmed
3
Readings
- Module Introduction
- Optional: Seven Last Words of the Unarmed
- Optional: Police Brutality in America Teach-Out Spotify List
Understanding the Impact of Police Violence
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2
Videos
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4
Readings
2
Videos
- Elizabeth James: The Impact of Systemic Racism
- R. L’Heureux Lewis-McCoy: Policing in Schools
4
Readings
- Robert Sellers: I Am So Tired
- How Structural Racism Affects Healthcare
- Policing and Gentrification
- The Talk: Conversations Among Black Families
Community Voices on Police Brutality and Systemic Racism
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3
Videos
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1
Discussion
1
Discussions
- Avalon Housing Reflection
3
Videos
- Lauren Velez - Introduction to Avalon Housing
- Lauren Velez - Avalon Housing Client Story
- LaBresha Scott- Avalon Housing Client Story
Intersectionality and Policing
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2
Videos
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4
Readings
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1
Discussion
1
Discussions
- Six-Word Story: Police Brutality
2
Videos
- Ryan Henyard: Say Her Name
- Charles Buchanan: Black Trans Lives Matter
4
Readings
- What is intersectionality?
- Black Women and Police Violence
- Optional: #SayHerName
- LGTBQ+ Communities and Police Violence
The State of Modern Policing
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3
Videos
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2
Readings
3
Videos
- Barbara McQuade: Qualified Immunity
- Barbara McQuade: Pattern or Practice
- Lisa Jackson: How Does Police Oversight Work?
2
Readings
- The Systems that Protect the Police
- Optional: Police Unions
Police Militarization
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3
Readings
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1
Discussion
1
Discussions
- Discussion Prompt
3
Readings
- What is police militarization?
- Department of Defense Military Surplus Programs
- ICE and Violence in Detention
Changing Policing Practices
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2
Videos
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1
Readings
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1
Discussion
1
Discussions
- Reflection: Alternative Solutions
2
Videos
- Sheriff Derrick Jackson: Six Pillars of Changing Policing
- Michigan Senator Stephanie Chang: Social Work and Policing Partnerships
1
Readings
- Police Abolition Movements
Policing, Journalism, and Popular Culture
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6
Videos
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1
Readings
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1
Discussion
1
Discussions
- Policing, Media, and Culture: Reflection
6
Videos
- Eugene Rogers: Arts and Activism
- Ketra Armstrong: The Role of Sport in Social Justice Movements
- Ketra Armstrong: Lessons from Colin Kaepernick
- Aaron Foley: The Journalism Industry
- Aaron Foley: The Role of Black Media Outlets
- Aaron Foley: The Complex Relationship Between Police and the Media
1
Readings
- Colin Kaepernick: Abolition for the People
Responding to Police Brutality
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7
Videos
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1
Readings
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2
Discussion
2
Discussions
- Community Social Challenges
- Imagine a World
7
Videos
- Dr. Abdul El-Sayed: Systemic Racism as a Public Health Issue
- Sheriff Derrick Jackson: A Sheriff's Perspective on Police Reform
- Lisa Jackson: Community Oversight in Policing at the Local Level
- Kathleen Meadows - Avalon’s Alternative Response to Policing
- Kathleen Meadows - Avalon’s Additional Resources
- Lauren Velez - Avalon Housing Resident's Feedback to Police
- Michigan Senator Stephanie Chang: Limits of Legislative Police Reform
1
Readings
- Journeys to Abolition
Take Action in Your Own Context
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5
Videos
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1
Readings
5
Videos
- Ryan Henyard: Taking Action Against Police Brutality in Your Community
- Lisa Jackson: Taking Action at the Community Level
- Taking Community Action: Flower Boi STL
- Michigan Senator Stephanie Chang: How to get involved with your elected officials
- Elizabeth James: Survival Techniques for Movement Building
1
Readings
- Flower Boi STL
Community Organizing Strategies
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5
Videos
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1
Readings
5
Videos
- Starting with People
- Communication Styles
- Dialogue
- Gathering Information
- Making Plans
1
Readings
- Community Organizing for Social Justice
Next Steps
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6
Readings
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1
Discussion
1
Discussions
- Share Your Action Story
6
Readings
- Taking Action to End Police Brutality | What’s next?
- Take Action
- Learn and Listen
- Have Discussions
- Community Guide: Facilitate a Conversation in Your Community
- Take Care of Yourself
Conclusion
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2
Videos
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4
Readings
2
Videos
- Police Brutality Teach-Out Town Hall Recording
- Ryan Henyard: Thank you for joining
4
Readings
- Additional Resources from the Police Brutality in America Teach-Out
- Police Brutality Teach-Out Town Hall
- Share your feedback!
- Keep Learning with Michigan Online
Auto Summary
Explore the "Community Awareness: Police Brutality in the U.S." course, focusing on understanding systemic racism and police violence. Led by experts across various fields, this foundational course delves into historical context, laws, and protester demands, providing tools for local change. Offered by Coursera, the course spans 1020 minutes and is available with a Starter subscription, targeting those passionate about personal development and social justice.
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