Investigating the perception of Black adolescents of policing in Canada: An analysis of Kat Sandler 'Bang Bang' and Makambe Simamba 'Our Fathers, Sons, Lovers and Little Brothers'

Abstract

The relationship between Black adolescents and policing is distraught, with historical and contemporary complexities that mirror broader patterns of systemic racism and social inequality. While studies in this area have explored the experiences of the adult population, the experiences of Black adolescents remain under researched and documented. To exacerbate the situation, the relatively sparse existing literature underscoring policing and Black adolescents identified survey methodology as predominantly used, posing a limitation , while also identifying historic al, media representation and social relationships as factors influencing Black individual perception of policing. This study suggests a shift to case study design , investigating the issues of policing and Black communities through the lens of framing theory and discourse analysis in two Canadian performances: Kat Sandler’s Bang Bang and Makambe Simamb a’s ‘Our Sons, Lovers and Little Brothers These plays offer counter discourses that humanize Black individuals and critique the structural inequalities embedded in policing practices . The study concludes that theatrical performances play a crucial role in amplifying marginalized voices, challenging dominant narratives , reshaping public perception and promoting social justice discourse within and outside the academia. The research examines two complementary theories and performances , offering new insight to the subject of policing and contributing to broader discussions on race, policing and the transformative power of theatre in addressing these issues in Canada and globally.