The New York Times and the Beating of Rodney King

With very little prior knowledge of the Rodney King beating and subsequent trial in 1991, I was shocked as I read the New York Times news articles describing the event.  The level of police brutality that was illustrated by the writings seems outrageous, especially coupled with the fact that all of the officers on trial were acquitted of their charges. 

What I found most interesting as I read these articles for the first time was the way in which the newspaper seemed to take a definitive side in the argument as to whether the severity police beatings were appropriate or not.  Instead of simply reporting the facts of the case and then presenting both sides of the argument, I found myself being convinced by the writings that the officers certainly showed excessive force.  Having never seen the video, I can not actually give my opinion as to whether the beatings given to Rodney King were inappropriate, but, from reading the New York Times, I definitely feel influenced to side with King’s supporters and believe that the police were in the wrong on March 3, 1991.  I feel that the newspaper simply illustrated the opinions and side of those outraged by the police’s actions much more than those who defended the way in which the officers acted.  Had the articles presented the arguments of those who felt that Rodney King got what he deserved more, I don’t know whether I would feel so strongly that the police were out of line.

I think that the reason that the New York Times may have decided to report more on the supporters of Rodney King than the police is that it is certainly the safer and more politically correct side of the argument to take.  It is much easier to attack the party that is accused of excessive force than it is to try and reason to the masses that Rodney King deserved to be hit 56 times.  By siding with the safer opinion, the writers of the New York Times had a hand in influencing people like myself that the Rodney King beating was certainly an example of outrageous police brutality.

I also was intrigued to read how the incident of white police officers beating a black man who they allegedly believed to be a threat developed into a battle of race in the United States instead of a battle between the police and the citizens of the nation.  I feel that both are definitely issues in this particular instance, but the response after the acquittal was focused so much more on whites vs. minorities than on the police and its abuse of power vs. the suspects and citizens they are arresting. 

The impact of the Rodney King beatings in 1991 is that it shed light on a serious problem not only in the L.A.P.D. but most likely also in police departments across the country.  This is the first episode of severe police brutality caught on camera, and it certainly opened the eyes of the nation.  It is interesting to see how such an important issue only comes to light once it is caught on camera by chance.

I am interested to see the video of the Rodney King beating so that I can actually formulate my own opinion as to whether the police officers in question used excessive force or not.  Before watching the witness’ film, I am certainly inclined to feel that they did.