Regardless of race, ethnicity, age, class, or gender, all Americans have been targeted by police brutality throughout time. Poor and working-class communities, Jewish and other immigrants, gay communities, Muslims, and many other groups have been historically oppressed by the police. Yet, the great majority of victims have been African American.
Of the 1365 people killed by the police in the US in 2024 (the deadliest year so far), 326 were Black people, a staggering 12% increase from 2023. Last year, African Americans in the country were 2.9 times more likely to be killed by police compared to their White counterparts. Black women and girls are more vulnerable to state violence, being more likely than any other group to be killed by the police. They make up approximately 10% of the US’s female population. Unfortunately, they account for 20% of all women killed by the police and around one-third of unarmed women executed by law officers.
Even though the number of police officers equipped with body-worn cameras (BWC) has increased in recent years, only 20% of fatal civilian killings are captured on video. Yet, this doesn’t help much as most footage from police BWC cannot be used, as the images are often blurry. At other times, due to negligence or failure to activate the camera, many incidents go unrecorded. And when there are images, 93% of the time, prosecutors use the footage to prosecute the victims rather than the police.
With a mission to elevate racial consciousness through interracial healing, and coinciding with Black Women’s History Month (observed in April), the Courageous Conversation Global Foundation (CCGF) launches HndsUp, a wearable device that the organization hopes will never go into production. Developed with the help of David&Goliath Brooklyn agency, the initiative that is centered on the gadget is created in response to these systemic failures and is set to record the reality faced by Black communities in the US.
A first of its kind, the civilian-focused device is similar to a smartwatch in design. Worn on the wrist, the non-threatening look helps ensure it is not being mistaken for a weapon. Activated by a simple voice command, “Hands Up,” the incorporated camera starts recording, capturing the interaction between the civilian and the police officer. With hands raised, the gadget also scans the wearer’s body to show they are unarmed. Simultaneously, HndsUp is programmed to upload the footage to the local news and also call an ambulance.
In essence, the wearable is created to offer safety and protection to civilians during a police encounter. And while technology can record violence, it isn’t able to prevent it. This is where CCGF steps in, highlighting that police training and conversation are more important than anything else in stopping such incidents from ever starting.
“Our primary goal with HndsUp is simple: to save lives,” commented Glenn E. Singleton, Founder and Board Chair of CCGF. “Beyond that, it’s about constructing and facilitating a conversation about the deep-seated racial inequities that continue to divide and diminish our country. Police reform is an essential part of that conversation, but it’s not just about changing policies or implementing new technologies. It’s about confronting systemic racism that destroys communities of color every day. We cannot move forward as a nation without acknowledging and addressing these centuries-old racial disparities head-on.”
Even though the HndsUp device is purely conceptual, the message it carries is real: The need for better police training and honest conversations on the subject, which is precisely what CCGF offers. Singleton added: “With HndsUp, we hope this campaign will elevate awareness and activate people to get involved so we can expand our work including de-escalation training and workshops for law enforcement and the communities they serve, to prevent these encounters from becoming violent in the first place. Because police need training, not technology, and that’s what we do.”
The campaign is backed up by a microsite, where users can explore how the product works. Upon visiting the online portal, users can also choose to contribute financially and help CCGF keep its mission alive. The initiative is further complemented by a short video that highlights the wearable’s life-saving potential. With sound by DaHouse Audio and visuals via Jamm, the video showcases the urgent need for technology like HndsUp to keep Black communities safe during encounters with law officers.
CREDITS
Brand: Courageous Conversation Global Foundation
Agency: David&Goliath Brooklyn
