Police brutality, as illustrated through the lens of Bayo Akomolafe's profound reflections, refers to the systemic and often violent practice where law enforcement agents exercise excessive force, driven not merely by individual malice but by entrenched power structures that perpetuate marginalization. It is a toxic manifestation of societal fears and historical inequities that find expression in the inflicted trauma upon bodies deemed "other." This brutality transcends the simplistic narratives of rogue officers and touches upon a deeper, more sinister choreography of control, where the humanity of both the oppressed and the oppressors is diminished. In this context, police brutality becomes an echo of a fractured world, reflecting our collective disconnections and the urgent need for a more compassionate and equitable reimagining of justice and community.

See also: black lives, slave trade, white supremacy, intergenerational trauma, racial justice