Bass and Beyond
Catalyzing Global Resistance
Explore how Black smartphone journalists on the West Coast played a pivotal role in establishing, documenting, and growing the Black Lives Matter movement. Through real-time footage and social media, they captured powerful moments of protest and resistance, which compelled global calls for justice and systemic change.
The West Coast has long been a pivotal region in the fight against police brutality, serving as both a backdrop for some of the most notorious cases of racialized violence and a battleground for systemic change. High-profile incidents like the 1991 beating of Rodney King in Los Angeles, the 2009 killing of Oscar Grant in Oakland, and the 2018 shooting of Stephon Clark in Sacramento have exposed the devastating consequences of police misconduct and galvanized movements for justice.
Rodney King’s brutal beating by Los Angeles police officers was captured on video, and the subsequent acquittal of the officers sparked the 1992 Los Angeles uprisings, highlighting systemic issues within the LAPD, including racial profiling and excessive force. Oscar Grant’s death at the hands of a Bay Area Rapid Transit officer on New Year’s Day was also caught on video, drawing national outrage and laying the groundwork for the Black Lives Matter movement. Similarly, Stephon Clark’s death in his grandmother’s backyard, where Sacramento officers mistook his cellphone for a gun, underscored the deadly consequences of implicit bias in policing.
Leaders Shaping the Movement
This movement has been shaped by prominent leaders and grassroots organizations that have fought tirelessly for change. Patrisse Cullors, Alicia Garza, and Opal Tometi, the co-founders of the Black Lives Matter movement, have played an instrumental role in bringing global attention to police violence. Based in California, their leadership has inspired countless protests and policy initiatives across the West Coast and beyond. Cat Brooks, co-founder of the Anti Police-Terror Project (APTP) in Oakland, has been at the forefront of advocating for defunding the police and reallocating resources to community services. Melina Abdullah, a professor and co-founder of the Los Angeles chapter of Black Lives Matter, has focused on addressing systemic racism in policing and holding law enforcement accountable. In Sacramento, Stevante Clark emerged as a leader following the killing of his brother Stephon Clark, pushing for reforms and ensuring his brother’s story remains central to the movement.
The Role of the Black Press and Citizen Journalists
The Black press has been an essential ally in the fight against police brutality, amplifying the voices of affected families and communities while challenging the narratives presented by mainstream media. Historically, publications like the California Eagle and Los Angeles Sentinel were instrumental in exposing systemic racism, and today, outlets such as the Oakland Post and SFBayview continue this legacy. These publications have provided in-depth coverage of cases like Oscar Grant’s and Stephon Clark’s, while also documenting policy changes, protests, and community healing efforts.
In recent decades, citizen journalists have become an indispensable part of the movement, ensuring that police violence is exposed in real-time. The impact of citizen journalism first became apparent during the Rodney King case, where a bystander’s camcorder footage forced a national reckoning. This was a groundbreaking moment, demonstrating the power of ordinary citizens to hold systems accountable when traditional media or legal systems failed. In the years since, smartphones and social media have revolutionized the way police violence is documented and shared. The video of Oscar Grant’s killing, captured by multiple passengers at the Fruitvale BART station, played a crucial role in the subsequent trial and protests. Similarly, the recording of Stephon Clark’s death circulated widely on social media, sparking outrage and organizing efforts almost instantly.
Citizen journalists have also shifted the power dynamics in storytelling. By capturing raw, unedited footage, they have disrupted the ability of police departments and traditional media to control narratives about violent encounters. Videos recorded by citizens have provided undeniable evidence of injustice, often forcing law enforcement agencies and public officials to respond to incidents they might otherwise have ignored. This grassroots documentation has not only brought attention to individual cases but has also highlighted systemic patterns of misconduct, making it impossible for society to turn a blind eye.
Legislative and Cultural Wins
The movement has achieved significant wins, reflecting the power of sustained activism and grassroots organizing. Legislative reforms, such as California’s AB 392, also known as the “Stephon Clark Law,” redefined the standard for police use of deadly force, requiring it to be “necessary” rather than merely “reasonable.” Cities like Los Angeles and Oakland have reduced the presence of armed officers in non-violent situations, such as mental health crises, reflecting a shift toward alternative approaches to public safety. Increased accountability has also emerged, with cases like the conviction of Johannes Mehserle, the officer who killed Oscar Grant, marking a rare instance of legal consequences for police violence. Additionally, body cameras and independent investigations have become more common, promoting greater transparency in policing.
Community investments represent another critical victory for activists. In Oakland, for example, millions of dollars have been redirected from police budgets to fund violence prevention programs and mental health services. Beyond policy changes, the movement has contributed to cultural shifts, introducing concepts like “defund the police” and “abolition” into mainstream discourse. These ideas have sparked widespread debate about the role of law enforcement and the need for systemic reform.
The Fight for Justice Continues
Despite these achievements, the fight against police brutality continues. Activists on the West Coast remain committed to holding law enforcement accountable, addressing the root causes of police violence, and advocating for substantial investments in underserved communities. Citizen journalists remain a critical part of this fight, ensuring that acts of violence and injustice are documented, shared, and preserved as evidence of systemic failure. Their work, combined with the resilience of community leaders and organizations, ensures that the movement will continue to push forward.
The West Coast’s history of high-profile cases, from Rodney King to Oscar Grant and Stephon Clark, serves as a sobering reminder of the work that remains to be done. However, the determination and innovation of activists and citizen journalists alike continue to inspire hope and progress in the ongoing fight for justice and equity.