Examining Historical and Contemporary Policing Disparities in the Black Community: Implications for Social Work.

This article critically examines the persistent issue of police violence against unarmed Black people in the United States by linking historical and contemporary practices through the lens of critical race theory (CRT). It traces the roots of racialized policing from slavery-era slave patrols, through Reconstruction, Jim Crow, and the Civil Rights Movement, to present-day incidents, highlighting how systemic racism and white supremacy have shaped law enforcement's treatment of Black communities. The article emphasizes the role of social work in addressing this enduring problem by developing culturally responsive interventions, fostering police–community dialogue, and advocating for policy reforms to combat racialized police violence. CRT is presented as a framework that reveals how racism is embedded in policing institutions, challenging colorblind ideologies and underscoring the importance of historical context in understanding ongoing disparities.