Ryan Zheng Junyu

4/21/2024
US HIST 1362: SINCE 1877
MBR #2: The New Jim Crow
Analysis of "The New Jim Crow" by Michelle Alexander

The book "The Streets of San Francisco: Policing and the Creation of a

Cosmopolitan Liberal Politics, 1950-1972" by Christopher Lowen Agee tells the story

of the city of San Francisco from 1950 to 1972. This book tells the story of the city of

San Francisco from 1950 to 1972, an important period of change in the city's history,

a time of policing and political renewal, a period of more than 20 years that marked a

major shift towards political freedom and greater inclusiveness in the city and in

American society. During this period of change, San Francisco epitomized a debate

that weighed community governance, authority, and freedom. Agee describes the

changing nature of police discretion, with police officers' own judgement having an

increasing weight in the enforcement of the law, and the complexity of the city's

residential life, the volatility of the political situation, and the launching of social

movements of all kinds as significant contributors to this change. Giving the police

more autonomy in dealing with complex cases and situations makes law enforcement

more humane.

Aggie emphasizes the interplay between political leaders, leaders in the

community and the police, and in doing so explores the political notion of the pursuit

of social equality and justice and the reduction of disparities between different classes,

and the shifts in police law enforcement that have had a significant impact on such
shifts in perceptions and social relations. The author focuses on the changes in "police

discretion" in policing practice, where there were strict rules and requirements

governing police behavior, and where the need to follow rules and regulations led to

failures in law enforcement in a variety of emergencies. In addition, during this

period, many people of different nationalities and faiths came to live in San Francisco

from all over the world, and while the diversity of the population energized the city, it

also brought about many conflicts and misunderstandings, especially in those

culturally distinct neighborhoods, where stereotypical policing rules were no longer

applicable, and change was inevitable. To address this situation, government officials

discuss and work closely with community leaders to transform the relationship

between police and residents, to build trust in the community, and to find a balance

between law and humanity. As Christopher Lowen Agee describes San Francisco's

shift to police discretion did more than change police practices; it reshaped the city's

social structure and political landscape，it also signaled the dawn of a new era in the

relationship between the community and the police force. As the police force and the

community grew closer, the needs of the people became more visible to leaders,

making policies more diverse and inclusive, and bringing with it the concept of

participatory democracy, whereby citizens played an increasingly important role in

the policy-making process.

Aggie provides many examples of police officers exercising discretion in

different situations, emphasizing that the true purpose of law enforcement is not
punitive measures but to safeguard the peaceful development of a community. For

example, if someone is skateboarding on a street where skateboarding is prohibited,

the police will not issue them a citation as they have done before because these are

minor infractions and having a direct dialogue with them for reasonable

discouragement is a better solution. In the North Beach area, which is known for its

bohemian residents, the local police will respect their culture and maintain certain

boundaries with them. At the height of the counterculture movement, when interacting

with Haight-Ashbury hippies, the police would not resort to violent evictions or

disbanding opportunities that could easily lead to conflict but would respect the

hippies' right to reasonably express themselves without disregarding public safety and

community order, finding a balance between the two and dealing with them in the

most efficient manner possible, as well as in a peaceful dialogue. Of course, on some

occasions, the policy is not strictly regulated or there are some loopholes in the law.

For example, although some acts of street intimidation or assemblies do not violate

any specific laws or regulations, the police will still enforce the law to protect the

safety of citizens and community order.

Through careful analysis this book also tells the story of the birth of the

cosmopolitan liberal coalition and its impact on the political and social structure of

the United States. Because of the city's unique socio-political landscape and

demographic diversity, the interplay between policing practices and the political

mobilization of various marginalized communities has led to the growing influence of

"cosmopolitan liberalism". This political movement encapsulates the city's vision of

inclusion of demographic diversity and protection of the rights of marginalized groups

and promotes a form of policing that is both effective and respectful of civil liberties.

Agee’s emphasizes that the police force should be transformed in a way that is

consistent with principles of fairness, justice, and community partnership, and that

achieves greater tolerance and understanding in a multicultural landscape. Agee also

delves into the internal dynamics of the San Francisco Police Department (SFPD),

exploring the ways in which the police themselves are responding to the changing

political landscape. He paints a complex picture of a police force balancing traditional

expectations of law and order with the emerging need for more responsive and

community-oriented policing, and Agee details the experiences of SFPD officers,

highlighting the challenges and opportunities that law enforcement agencies face

when faced with the task of policing a diverse and politically active city.

San Francisco's transformative period not only reshaped the city, but also had a

profound impact on discussions about democracy, inclusivity, and community

governance throughout the United States. San Francisco's shift to a more discretionary

form of policing represented a shift from one-size-fits-all law enforcement tactics to a

more nuanced, community-oriented approach that fostered a more harmonious

relationship between law enforcement and the community, but also served as a model

for other cities grappling with similar demographic diversity and challenges. Groups

advocating for civil rights as well as free speech have gained an understanding and a

platform in San Francisco, advancing a nationwide shift towards more liberal and

inclusive policies. The ICL contributed significantly to the redefinition of American

political ideology, serving as a blueprint for liberal politics in American cities.

Overall, a city at the forefront of social and political change provided a precedent for

shaping urban liberalism in the United States and a model for cities to emulate.

There are also some shortcomings in the ideas and analyses in this book, and

while the book does articulate how discretionary power is becoming more and more

democratic through negotiation and improvement, it probably also underestimates the

ways in which this discretion leads to systemic bias, racial profiling, and unjust

treatment of marginalized communities. There are also not some strict checks and

balances in place for excessive police power, which can lead to inequality between

communities. Issues such as housing discrimination, economic disparities, and racist

institutions play an important role in shaping the urban environment and the lived

experiences of its inhabitants. A more detailed analysis of these underlying conditions

could provide a richer context for understanding the specific challenges and responses

related to policing and political activity in San Francisco. The authors could enhance

the narrative by including more diverse perspectives, such as those of people living in

the community or grassroots police officers, and the inclusion of more first-hand

accounts could deepen the understanding of police discretion and the impact of city

policies on individual lives. When too much power is given to the police, often

without enough oversight, abuse of power can occur, and when intertwined with

systemic racism, this problem is further exacerbated with negative consequences for

minority communities, especially African American and Latino groups. The

underlying problems of racial bias in policing practices, the militarization of police

forces and the lack of accountability for abuse of power need to be addressed. And

within the police, greater transparency and oversight by oversight boards and

widespread use of body-worn cameras are also important. In conclusion, addressing

excessive police powers and entrenched racism in law enforcement is an ongoing

challenge that requires the concerted efforts of all sectors of society, as well as

oversight by government departments.

In summary, the book provides an in-depth study of the transformative era in San

Francisco from 1950 to 1972, emphasizing the significant shift towards greater

political freedom and inclusiveness. Highlighting the evolution of police discretion,

the city's complex social fabric, and the rise of various social movements, Agee's

analysis paints a picture of a city at the forefront of a policing and political

renaissance. Emphasis is placed on the collaboration between political leaders,

community figures and the police to address the challenges of social equality, justice,

and the reduction of class disparities, thereby reshaping the social fabric and political

landscape of the city. Aggie portrays San Francisco as the epitome of cosmopolitan

liberalism, influenced by its unique socio-political landscape and demographic

diversity, which also contributes to the broader American political and social fabric.

There are, of course, certain flaws in Agee's analysis, and the need to address the

ongoing challenges of excessive police power and entrenched racism in law

enforcement, as well as the need for a concerted effort by all sectors of society to

monitor and reform.