Critical Race Theory and the Rodney King Case Essays -- Recism

Critical Race Theory and the Rodney female monarch CaseIn reviewing the article, Canadian Critical Race Theory, I found that the author, Carol Aylvard, raises some very interesting as well as disturbing questions on the nature of racism within the realm of legal philosophy enforcement. In looking through the lens of the Rodney King case, we are provided with a very specific example of how the issue of race was dealt with, or non dealt with within the LAPD and judicial system. To gain a clearer understanding of how race was a major issue in this case but at the same time not confronted on the front lines, Alyvard highlights several aspects of the case. In the 1991 state trial of the four police officers accused of beating Rodney King, the prosecution did not even attempt to close in evidence of racial animus on part of the officers. Even though there was video-audio evidence as well as eyewitness testimony to the contrary, they steady did not take exception the defenses assertio n that no racial epithets had been used by the police officers. As well, the prosecution neglected to appeal the decision of the State hail to move the trial from a racially diverse area to the predominantly white area of Simi Valley, where it was inevitable that the officers would be judged by an all-white jury. Furthermore, they in like manner did not challenge the defenses portrayal of Kings injuries as trivial. While it is needless to say that the list goes on and on, it came as no great surprise that the jury acquitted the four LAPD officers. It was also not surprising that riots followed this acquittal. One month after the beating and one year after the acquittal, two independent commissions, The McCone Commission and The California State fabrication Commission were appoint... ... is possible to implement alternative legal strategies that have their roots in recognition instead of avoidance? In looking at supererogatory information displayed on the Internet, there seems t o be an even wider range of issues being developed around the Rodney King Case. How do people of different social classes, sexual urge or race fair in the law enforcement system? A few sites as well as the article alluded the O.J. Simpson case. Did this case confirm the splendour of race consciousness and show a move toward a better understanding of the role that race plays in law? At any rate, Aylvard argues that the Rodney King case, exposed the significance of race in constitutional and criminal law and the dangers of avoiding it to maintain the myth of color blindness. (p. 66). References Carol, A. Aylvard. Canadian Critical Race Theory. Halifax Fernwood, 1999.