Entries by Jeffrey Ian Ross

The iceberg explanation of police use of excessive force

Ocean going ships, are occasionally in danger of hitting an iceberg. If the vessel hits an iceberg, not only can the ship’s vital components like its propeller or rudders be impaired, thus negatively effecting the ship’s maneuverability, navigation systems, and propulsion, but the vessel’s structure may be damaged, leading to flooding and potentially sinking the […]

Exploring how graffiti and street art calls attention to social justice issues

Graffiti and street art has a longstanding connection with political and social issues. Not only do we see this kind of activity proliferate when controversial issues are contested in urban public spaces, but we typically witness graffiti and street art when a grass roots social movement develops, or political or social revolution emerges. In recent […]

Addressing the diversity of American correctional facilities and systems

Unless you have direct experience with incarceration, many people think that all correctional facilities and systems in the United States are the same. The reality, however, is that there’s considerable variety among the places and systems that manage the approximate 2.1 million people who are currently incarcerated. How exactly do correctional institutions and systems differ? […]

How American prison conditions can impact extradition requests

The United States is known around the world for lots of great things. Often referred to as the land of opportunity, America is blessed with spectacular wilderness areas replete with natural beauty, well-respected educational and medical institutions, generally friendly people, and Disneyland . But all that glitters is not gold. The US is also recognized […]

Learning from JIRO DREAMS OF SUSHI

Numerous films focusing on Japanese cooking or chefs have been released to Western audiences. One of the more recent iconic and celebrated is David Gelb’s 2011 documentary, Jiro Dreams of Sushi. The movie reviews the work (and to a lesser extent the life) of Jiro Ono, a humble and modest 85-year old Tokyo based sushi […]