Join Roberta McCulloch-Dews for this online talk. Free & online: pre-registration required. She presents the historical framework surrounding the policing of black Americans in the United States; explores the role of bias; & highlights how legislation can play a major part in addressing discriminatory behavior.

Presented by Berkshire Community College & OLLI. Roberta McCulloch-Dews is the Director of Administrative Services in the Office of the Mayor for the City of Pittsfield.

2018 saw a rash of troubling incidents in which law enforcement was called to investigate bystander accounts of black men, women, and children occupying public and community spaces. These accounts were not based on the witnessing of actual crimes or offenses, but rather a suspicion on the part of the caller. The unifying factor is that the calls were made by white individuals.

Fast forward to 2020 and these disturbing and discriminatory acts still continue to occur. So what can we do to stop it?

The mobilization of law enforcement for unfounded nuisance calls is not only a diversion of public resources but perpetuates the weaponization of police against black people, actions that date back to this country’s origins. This talk presents the historical framework surrounding the policing of black Americans in the United States; explores the role of bias, and highlights how legislation can play a major part in addressing discriminatory behavior.