My Truth About Being a Black Man and a Black Cop by Davis: A Visual Rhetoric Analysis Essay

The Power of Imagery in Persuasive Writing

In written pieces, visual images can be powerful tools that writers use to support their arguments and convey messages effectively. The skillful use of imagery can improve readers’ understanding of a topic and persuade them to agree with the author’s viewpoint. Proper selection and placement of images can influence how readers interpret the text and the emotions it evokes. The article “My Truth About Being a Black Man and a Black Cop” stirs up emotions by presenting a compelling argument on the state of racial profiling and police brutality in the United States.

Conflicting Identity

In the article “My Truth About Being a Black Man and a Black Cop” by Ronald Davis, who is a police veteran, the author discusses the conflicting identities he holds as a black American law enforcement officer. The author also attempts to devise a solution to the challenge of racial profiling and discrimination in the American justice system. According to Davis, it is not adequate to blame police officers alone for inequalities in the criminal justice system.

The author suggests that blame should be placed on other factors in the criminal justice system, such as judges, prosecutors, poor education systems, and unequal access to healthcare (Davis). As Davis states, the United States should take a holistic approach to fighting inequalities in the criminal justice system by doing away with discriminatory laws and policies and ensuring that every other aspect of society moves towards equality.

Emotional Appeal Through Personal Experience

One of the main techniques used to persuade readers to agree with the author’s arguments is personal experience. The author manages to connect with readers with similar experiences by sharing his experience of racial profiling. Connecting with readers who share the same experiences as the author creates an emotional response. Chief Davis writes that he sees his 20-year-old son in the faces of young men and women of color who have been victims of police brutality.

The author also provides a personal experience of how challenging it is to be a black police officer in the United States. He states that as a police chief, he has been forced to tell wives that their husbands have been shot and killed in the line of duty (Davis). He also states that he has first-hand experience with the emotional, mental, and physical stress that affects police officers. Using personal experiences and anecdotes helps create a sense of understanding and empathy between the author and the reader and strengthens the argument provided.

Rhetorical Questions as a Tool for Reflection

Rhetorical questions are another technique the author uses to connect more with the reader and encourage them to think more critically about the topic under discussion. For example, the author asks why so many victims of police brutality look like him. He also wonders whether police brutality directed against black Americans arises from implicit bias, the fear of black men, or the combination of all the identified factors (Davis). Rhetorical questions allow readers to consider their preconceptions and biases about law enforcement and race. They also allow readers to think about possible causes and solutions to racial discrimination in the United States and within the criminal justice system.

Using Imagery to Reinforce Key Claims

Apart from the different styles used by the author to stir emotions and add a reaction to the article, several claims can be amplified through imagery. One of the main claims made by the author is that black people in the United States have been on the receiving end of racial profiling and discrimination. The author states that as a father to a black male child, he has been forced to have ‘the talk’ with his son about how to conduct himself whenever he interacts with law enforcement (Davis). The author states that having ‘the talk’ is critical for every black family as it might be the difference between life and death.

The George Floyd Image: A Symbol of Injustice

The image above shows a police officer pressing his knee on George Floyd’s neck, leading to his death. The visual supports Davis’ assertion that every black family must have “the talk” with their son to guide them in interacting with police officers because one miscalculated move by black Americans could result in death, similar to how George Floyd lost his life.

The photograph is designed to stir emotions of empathy, shock, and anger by portraying the inhumane treatment of a vulnerable person by an individual in a position of authority. The technique used by the author to influence audience perception and opinion is the juxtaposition of power and vulnerability. The image shows that the police officer is using physical force to subdue, control, and handcuff an unarmed individual (Forliti). The main message from the image is the racial dynamics in the United States and how police officers generally perceive and treat black people in the United States. The image shows that the police officer was biased in how he handled George Floyd.

The Historical Continuity of Police Brutality

Another major claim made by Davis in the original article is that the history of policing in the United States still plays a significant role in enforcing discriminatory laws. The author asserts that racial disparities still exist in the United States due to the systems and practices enacted in the 1950s and 60s when it was legal to discriminate against and oppress black Americans (Davis). Davis’s claim is supported by Beckett’s article, showing a screen grab of the Rodney King incident and a photo of a Black Lives Matter activist being pepper-sprayed by police officers despite raising his hands.

The two photos are created to stir emotions because although the incidents occurred more than 30 years apart, they still reveal how law enforcement uses excessive force, especially on Black Americans. The technique used to sway audience opinion and perception is the emotionally charged depiction of racial profiling and police brutality. The images are presented in a way that shows the two are victims of police brutality against Black people, creating a sense of empathy.

This appeal to emotion is known as pathos and is an effective rhetorical tool. The images affirm the author’s claims that racial discrimination and police brutality stem from decades-old enforcement policies and laws that were designed to oppress black Americans (Levin). The images further show how it is necessary to adopt a holistic approach to addressing bias-based policing and unequal treatment within the U.S. legal system.

Concluding Insights on Systemic Change

From the analysis, it is evident that the use of imagery can improve how writers interact with their readers. Images bring in more emotion and awaken readers to the gravity of the situation. Davis writes that law enforcement officers have played a big role in marginalizing black people. However, factors such as prison systems, poor education systems, and poor access to mental health services should also contribute to police brutality and racial discrimination.

The use of George Floyd’s and Rodney King’s photos further amplifies the author’s arguments that black Americans are unfairly targeted and treated by police officers in the United States. The images further reveal that the problem cannot be solved by looking only at law enforcement officers. Uprooting America’s racism problem would require a re-evaluation of the different structures that uphold white supremacy.

Works Cited

Beckett, Lois. “US Police Three Times as Likely to Use Force Against Leftwing Protesters, Data Finds.” The Guardian. 2021. Web.

Davis, Ronald. “My Truth About Being a Black Man and a Black Cop.” Huffpost. 2018. Web.

Forliti, Amy. “Prosecutors: Officer Was on Floyd’s Neck for About 9 Minutes.” AP News. 2021. Web.

Levin, Sam. “Rodney King: 30 Years After Brutal Beating, Activists Say LAPD Still Corrupt and Violent.” The Guardian. 2021. Web.