Apply conflict theory to understand police brutality and the extrajudicial killing of Black men and women by police in the United States.

Question

What will be an ideal response?

Answer 1

Ans: Varies. Conflict theory assumes that different groups of people in society have different interests as well as access to different amounts of resources that impacts those interests. It is important to note that conflict perspective does not assume shared norms and values. However, conflict theory does state that those in power will utilize their resources to maintain power, whether that power is through race and/or gender to disadvantage groups with no power. Conflict theory allows us to have a better understanding of police brutality and the systemic killing of Black men and women, because it allow for us to examine the race and gender of police officers, who hold all judicial power to profile and stop Blacks on suspicion of deviance. Blacks have been a disadvantaged group in the United States and collectively do not hold the same power as White, which makes it more difficult for Blacks to fight against police brutality, since the police have every right to maintain their power of people by means of control and violence.
KEY: Learning Objective: 6.2: Describe key theories used in sociology to explain