Chenjerai Kumanyika’s podcast offers a fresh perspective on contemporary discussions about law enforcement by exploring the historical origins of police departments.
The N.Y.P.D. has a long and complex history that dates back almost two centuries. One individual who has a personal connection to this history is Chenjerai Kumanyika, a professor, podcaster, and activist. His father, Makaza Kumanyika, was a civil rights leader who was arrested in front of City Hall in Lower Manhattan in 1964 after attempting to place the mayor at the time, Robert F. Wagner, under citizen’s arrest. This incident left a lasting impact on Kumanyika, shaping his fascination with the police force.
Kumanyika’s interest in the N.Y.P.D. led him to explore the stories of individuals like Elizabeth Jennings Graham, a Black schoolteacher who was forcibly removed from a racially segregated trolley car in 1854. Graham’s successful lawsuit against the trolley company, represented by a young Chester A. Arthur, is just one example of the long history of racial tensions and discrimination within the police force.
In his new podcast series, “Empire City,” Kumanyika delves into the history of the N.Y.P.D. with a focus on untangling the mythology and influence of the institution. The podcast, a collaboration between Crooked Media and Wondery, is a meticulously researched narrative that challenges common perceptions of the police force. By following various characters throughout the N.Y.P.D.’s history, Kumanyika aims to provide a comprehensive and personal account of the organization’s impact on society.
“Empire City” is set to premiere on September 9 and promises to offer a panoramic view of the N.Y.P.D.’s evolution over the years. The series explores the complexities of a police force that has been both praised for maintaining public safety and criticized for its role in perpetuating systemic injustices. Through in-depth storytelling and historical analysis, Kumanyika invites listeners to reconsider their preconceived notions about law enforcement and encourages a deeper understanding of the challenges facing modern policing.
Overall, “Empire City” is a thought-provoking examination of the N.Y.P.D.’s legacy and its ongoing significance in American society. By shedding light on key moments in the force’s history and highlighting the experiences of individuals impacted by its actions, Kumanyika offers a fresh perspective on the complexities of policing in the United States.
Source: The NY Times
