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 features prominently every time an altercation happens between police and civilians with a racial angle. It is impossible to deny that there is disparity in wealth between Blacks and Whites or even Latinos. Their neighborhoods also display this disparity such that Blacks and Latinos are known to live in low income neighborhoods. Whether these disparities are a justification for continued conflicts or not is the difficult question to answer.
Strained relationship between police and people has also been blamed on racially biased behaviors. For instance, police may consider Latinos as predominantly drug peddlers and persons with no immigration documents. Blacks may also be labeled as criminals. Responding to an incident with this mindset or manning a road with the notion means that there will be no objectivity. It is such actions by police that have escalated situations unnecessarily.
Racial animus has been highlighted as a common weakness causing a relationship strain. Policemen and law enforcers may have personal dislike for a particular race. This will not be displayed openly. However, the behavior and response when dealing with a suspect or even during routine engagements displays this dislike. The treatment is as if the officer is waiting for a report to confirm his suspicion. If two suspects are stopped for the same crime, one is presumed guilty while the other is regarded as innocent.
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 risk factors can be attributed to hidden racial bias or racial animus in officers. The simple act of trying to unbuckle your seat belt in order to respond to police instruction may be construed to mean that you are taking out your gun. It means that the officer had already made a conclusion even before you have been proven. These are manifestations of inner biases.
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.
Increased awareness is required among law enforcers and the general public to reduce altercations. It is necessary to reflect backwards whenever a nasty incident occurs. When the details of the incident are discussed in communities and among police, future conflicts are prevented. Individuals and communities also have a responsibility to reduce possibility of conflicts.
Racial disparity features prominently every time an altercation happens between police and civilians with a racial angle. It is impossible to deny that there is disparity in wealth between Blacks and Whites or even Latinos. Their neighborhoods also display this disparity such that Blacks and Latinos are known to live in low income neighborhoods. Whether these disparities are a justification for continued conflicts or not is the difficult question to answer.
Strained relationship between police and people has also been blamed on racially biased behaviors. For instance, police may consider Latinos as predominantly drug peddlers and persons with no immigration documents. Blacks may also be labeled as criminals. Responding to an incident with this mindset or manning a road with the notion means that there will be no objectivity. It is such actions by police that have escalated situations unnecessarily.
Racial animus has been highlighted as a common weakness causing a relationship strain. Policemen and law enforcers may have personal dislike for a particular race. This will not be displayed openly. However, the behavior and response when dealing with a suspect or even during routine engagements displays this dislike. The treatment is as if the officer is waiting for a report to confirm his suspicion. If two suspects are stopped for the same crime, one is presumed guilty while the other is regarded as innocent.
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 risk factors can be attributed to hidden racial bias or racial animus in officers. The simple act of trying to unbuckle your seat belt in order to respond to police instruction may be construed to mean that you are taking out your gun. It means that the officer had already made a conclusion even before you have been proven. These are manifestations of inner biases.
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.
Increased awareness is required among law enforcers and the general public to reduce altercations. It is necessary to reflect backwards whenever a nasty incident occurs. When the details of the incident are discussed in communities and among police, future conflicts are prevented. Individuals and communities also have a responsibility to reduce possibility of conflicts.
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