Wichita State experts available to comment on societal unrest
"Reoccurring race issues since the 1960s tied to the U.S.'s inability to resolve some of the most basic economic and social problems of race have led to immense frustration on the part of communities of color. This residual frustration cracks open when racial incidents occur in the communities across the U.S. This frustration, borne from inequality, prejudice and discrimination, defines the hostile dynamic that we are seeing very regularly in America today.
Specifically, many police departments in the U.S. have a culture that reinforces both values and behaviors that justify racial violence. Hierarchical, para-military organizations that have access to weapons and are dominated by masculine ethos (hegemonic masculinity) feed these cultures. Women in these cultures and men who may not share the values and norms personally will be co-opted by the departmental culture.
I don't know of another way to explain these repeated incidents and now the violent protests that are erupting in response to police racial violence."
Contact: Ron Matson at 316-573-9062.
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The following statement was provided by Jessica Provines.
"Horrifying acts of violence in the media can trigger emotional responses in people. For many, intense sadness, anger, shock and shame can start to feel overwhelming with continual exposure. For some, it can turn into a form of vicarious trauma, where one was not personally involved in the incident but the knowledge of it starts to form a traumatic response in the person.
It is important to monitor your reactions to events, such as the ones in recent days, and take care of yourself. You can take care of yourself by balancing your engagement with the news coverage and social media dialogues, with intentional breaks from information to rest and relax. Spending time with your emotional supports to process how you have been feeling can be helpful, too.
Find healthy ways to release energy by walking, working around the house or engaging in some other form of physical activity. It is also important to maintain a balanced routine while eating well, getting plenty of rest and avoiding substances. Lastly, it is important to ask for help if you need it by seeking professional mental health services."
Contact: Jessica Provines or Meladee Garst, Counseling and Testing Center, at 316-978-3440 or jessica.provines@wichita.edu or meladee.garst@wichita.edu.
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Michael Birzer also is available for comments. He is a professor of criminal justice and director of the School of Community Affairs. His research interests include police behavior, advancing the adult learning theory andragogy into criminal justice education and training, the intersection of race and police contacts, and qualitative research methods (phenomenology, ethnomethodology and ethnography).
His most recent book publications include: Police Field Operations: Theory Meets Practice 2nd Edition (2015) Pearson/Prentice-Hall; In Their Own Words: Criminals on Crime (2014) Oxford Publishing, (with Paul Cromwell).
Contact: Michael Birzer at 316-993-1148.
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