University of Chicago sociologist Julian Go will examine the history, militarization and racial dynamics of policing at noon Wednesday, Sept. 23, during the next Cal State San Bernardino Conversations on Race and Policing program.

The program, part of an ongoing series, is free and open to the public. It will take place on Zoom. 

Go is a sociology professor and faculty affiliate with the University of Chicago’s Center for the Study of Race, Politics and Culture and its Committee on International Relations. He also is a fellow of the Chicago Center for Contemporary Theory and a former president of the Social Science History Association.

The discussion will focus on Go’s 2023 book, “Policing Empires: Militarization, Race, and the Imperial Boomerang in Britain and the U.S.” The book traces how and why police departments in Britain and the United States adopted military tactics, tools and technologies for domestic use beginning in the 19th century.

Go’s research connects modern police militarization to colonial practices brought home in response to perceived racialized threats. The book won the American Sociological Association’s 2024 Ida B. Wells-Barnett Distinguished Book Award and received honors from three other association sections.

Event flyer with cover if Julian Go's book (left) and photo of Julian Go,

The Conversations on Race and Policing program began following the May 25, 2020, murder of George Floyd and its aftermath. Floyd, a Black man, was killed by a white Minneapolis police officer, triggering widespread protests, demands for systemic policing reforms and profound discussions about race and racism. The events also led to the creation of Cal State San Bernardino’s Conversations on Race and Policing, abbreviated as CoRP.

In subsequent court cases, three other former Minneapolis police officers implicated in Floyd’s death received prison sentences.

The series has featured scholars, journalists, law enforcement officers, lawyers, activists, artists, educators, administrators and others from throughout the nation who have shared their experience and expertise on issues related to race and policing.

Since June 2020, more than 140 forums have taken place, and video recordings of the sessions have been posted in the Conversations on Race and Policing Lecture Series Archive.

Programs take place every Wednesday beginning at noon unless otherwise noted. Upcoming speakers include:

The organizing team for Conversations on Race and Policing includes Michael German, Stan Futch, Amber Broaden, Robie Madrigal, Jeremy Murray, Matt Patino and Mary Texeira, representing CSUSB and collaborating community and educational organizations.

For more information, contact Madrigal at rmadriga@csusb.edu or Murray at jmurray@csusb.edu.

Also visit the Conversations on Race and Policing webpage.