#OverPolicing Black Males via Targeting and Searches: Navigating Supposed Freedom(s) and (Social) Death at the Hands of Police Through Counterstorytelling

Beyond killing Black males, US law enforcement continues to treat Black boys/men as threats to be neutralized even when not armed or resisting. In this study I investigate 15 Black men’s narratives to provide a deeper understanding of Black male vilification and vulnerabilities in police encounters insofar as being targeted and searched. Using Afropessimism’s tenet of social death and Critical Race Methodology: Counterstorytelling this study answers, (a) how do Black men describe being targeted by US police officers, and (b) what experiences do Black males encounter with police officers’ searches? Findings elucidate how Black males face a dual death even when no threats exist, therefore having their freedom(s) infringed. Conclusions inform psychological reforms and discretionary search policies.