Chris White director of Detroit Coalition Against Police Brutality

Ongoing police brutality leading to the death of George Floyd, Breona Taylor, Ahmed Arbery, and countless others has sparked street-level action nationwide. In our sixth episode of the Riverwise podcast, Amas and Eric speak with Chris White, director of the Detroit Coalition Against Police Brutality (DCAPB) as he addresses the challenges of reimagining policing in Detroit.

Working in Detroit neighborhoods since the mid-1990s, the DCAPB has focused on conflict mediation and restorative justice to address police misconduct and police brutality. The DCAPB has been instrumental in advocating for victims' rights in and out of court and provides material and spiritual support for victims of gun violence and police brutality throughout the city.

Recent national organizing around the Movement for Black Lives reflects new thinking about policing and racial justice. Detroit protests have included demands for the City to go beyond mere reform and straight to transforming policing entirely. White has been clear about his personal support for ongoing mass street protests for racial justice in Detroit and across the nation. But he remains cautious regarding the possible disconnects between more radical positions taken by many protesters, and residents in the city who are the most impacted by police policy. Will that ideological divide provides the Mayor and Police Chief ample public support for maintaining the status quo?

Join us in what we hope will be part one of a vital dialogue with Chris White, recorded on June 23, 2020.

For more on the DPACB, visit https://www.facebook.com/groups/dcapb/

Episode Notes

The Riverwise Podcast is bringing together Detroit citizens to consider new and forms of resistance to continuing economic and political marginalization in communities of color. For over three years now, the Riverwise collective has created media that depicts local activism and the profound new work being done in Detroit neighborhoods. Through the quarterly Riverwise magazine, Riverwise community conversations, and the Riverwise Writing Workshop, we're developing our collective voice.