Race relations is a debate that is not about to die anytime soon. There are different areas of concern when one looks at how races relate including entertainment, family, commerce, sports and religion, among others. A lot of attention has been on law enforcement and race relations because frequent and highly publicized nasty encounters. What issues underlie all the discussions on police and races in US?
Racial disparity and inequality can be seen on different fronts in the US. There are areas that are predominantly Black neighborhoods and considered poor. This almost causes the community to be associated with crimes, drugs and violence. The disparity can be blamed as a disposing factor but it cannot be used as a confirmatory that all Blacks are violent or drug dealers. Police officers should therefore desist from assigning such labels to residents of such areas.
Racially biased behavior has also been blamed for strained relation between police and different races. Police have displayed a foregone conclusion that Latinos are drug peddlers while blacks are likely to be involved in crime. It means that when a police officer is making a response, he has a preset mind. He expects the Latino to lack identification papers and the Black to be guilty of a crime. Such biases lead to unnecessary confrontation.
Racial animus is a matter of attitude. A policeman may naturally or from past experiences dislike blacks or Latinos. As a result, this policeman will stop more Latinos or Blacks than any other race. Even when dealing with a white man displaying similar behaviors, there is likelihood that the negative behaviors will be ignored for one person and not the other. This is almost similar to racial prejudice.
The element of statistical discrimination has captured the attention of analysts and points at an existing problem. Statistics indicate that police frisk and flag down people for particular crimes based on their race. For instance, a Latino will be questioned over his identity more than a White. A Black will face more questions on crimes and violence more than any other race. Such skewed statistics are not supported by convictions. It means that they are driven by police bias.
Situational risks are associated with racial animus or racial biases. For instance, once you are flagged down, there will be nothing suspicious about looking for your Drivers License below your seat or unbuckling your belt. However, a black is mistaken for drawing a gun and ends up being shot. This indicates a policeman who has already made a conclusion. Such conclusions are racially biased.
There are reflex actions by law enforcement officers that have been questioned. While it is normal to react in self-defense, there appears to be bias regarding the subjects of such reflex. Is there a possibility of everyone being treated with similar level of suspicion? This is the question that many people are unable to answer.
There is need for more awareness of the areas where biases manifest. When people are aware, there is likelihood of reducing altercations. Communities and police departments are also encouraged to discuss incidences whenever they happen with the aim of finding the areas of bias and a subsequent solution.
Racial disparity and inequality can be seen on different fronts in the US. There are areas that are predominantly Black neighborhoods and considered poor. This almost causes the community to be associated with crimes, drugs and violence. The disparity can be blamed as a disposing factor but it cannot be used as a confirmatory that all Blacks are violent or drug dealers. Police officers should therefore desist from assigning such labels to residents of such areas.
Racially biased behavior has also been blamed for strained relation between police and different races. Police have displayed a foregone conclusion that Latinos are drug peddlers while blacks are likely to be involved in crime. It means that when a police officer is making a response, he has a preset mind. He expects the Latino to lack identification papers and the Black to be guilty of a crime. Such biases lead to unnecessary confrontation.
Racial animus is a matter of attitude. A policeman may naturally or from past experiences dislike blacks or Latinos. As a result, this policeman will stop more Latinos or Blacks than any other race. Even when dealing with a white man displaying similar behaviors, there is likelihood that the negative behaviors will be ignored for one person and not the other. This is almost similar to racial prejudice.
The element of statistical discrimination has captured the attention of analysts and points at an existing problem. Statistics indicate that police frisk and flag down people for particular crimes based on their race. For instance, a Latino will be questioned over his identity more than a White. A Black will face more questions on crimes and violence more than any other race. Such skewed statistics are not supported by convictions. It means that they are driven by police bias.
Situational risks are associated with racial animus or racial biases. For instance, once you are flagged down, there will be nothing suspicious about looking for your Drivers License below your seat or unbuckling your belt. However, a black is mistaken for drawing a gun and ends up being shot. This indicates a policeman who has already made a conclusion. Such conclusions are racially biased.
There are reflex actions by law enforcement officers that have been questioned. While it is normal to react in self-defense, there appears to be bias regarding the subjects of such reflex. Is there a possibility of everyone being treated with similar level of suspicion? This is the question that many people are unable to answer.
There is need for more awareness of the areas where biases manifest. When people are aware, there is likelihood of reducing altercations. Communities and police departments are also encouraged to discuss incidences whenever they happen with the aim of finding the areas of bias and a subsequent solution.
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