Policing the Racial Divide: Urban Growth Politics and the Remaking of Segregation

The book Policing the Racial Divide by Daanika Gordon explores the harsh realities of policing in a segregated city, revealing how race often dominates the way police officers interact with communities. She argues that law enforcement plays a role in urban growth politics, contributing to racially disparate policing by investing in certain neighborhoods while framing others as threats. Gordon's book provides a sobering picture of modern-day segregation and how the police enforce its racial borders.

Format: Hardback
Length: 288 pages
Publication date: 09 May 2022
Publisher: New York University Press

The 2023 Edwin H. Sutherland Book Award Winner

A Behind-the-Scenes Account of the Harsh Realities of Policing in a Segregated City

For thirteen months, Daanika Gordon immersed herself in the intricate world of policing in "River City," a profoundly segregated rust belt metropolis. Her mission? To uncover the harsh realities that shaped the daily interactions between police officers and the communities they served. What she discovered was a revealing portrait of the complex dynamics at play in a city divided by race.

In predominantly white neighborhoods, Gordon observed a different narrative unfold. Officers exhibited a remarkable commitment to responsive service and active community problem-solving. They worked tirelessly to build trust and foster positive relationships with residents, actively engaging in dialogue and finding innovative solutions to address local issues. It was a stark contrast to the predominantly Black communities, where long-standing patterns of over-policing and under-protection persisted.

These disparities have been a defining feature of US policing throughout its history, but the policies intended to alleviate racial tensions in River City only served to widen the racial divides. Gordon's book sheds light on an often overlooked aspect of racially disparate policing: the role of law enforcement in urban growth politics.

In many postindustrial cities, Gordon argues, segregation is being exacerbated by investments in downtowns, gentrified neighborhoods, and entertainment corridors. These areas are often seen as drivers of economic growth and development, while marginalized central city neighborhoods are portrayed as sources of criminal and civic threat that must be contained and controlled.

Gordon's book paints a sobering picture of modern-day segregation, revealing two distinct and unequal sides of the same city. On one hand, rich, white neighborhoods enjoy a level of protection and security that is rarely seen in predominantly Black communities. The police presence is strong, and the streets are well-maintained. On the other hand, poor, Black neighborhoods are subjected to a relentless cycle of punishment and marginalization.

The police are the gatekeepers of these racial borders, enforcing them with a heavy hand. Gordon's account highlights the disproportionate use of force, the racial profiling, and the systemic discrimination that plague these communities. It is a stark reminder of the urgent need for reform and the systemic changes that are required to address the deep-rooted issues of racial inequality in policing.

As we reflect on the history of US policing and the challenges faced by communities of color, Policing the Racial Divide serves as a powerful testament to the ongoing struggle for justice and equality. It is a call to action for policymakers, law enforcement agencies, and community leaders to work together to dismantle the systems of oppression that perpetuate racial disparities and create a more just and equitable society for all.

Dimension: 9 x 6 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781479814046