Race relations has remained a thorny issue with endless debate for years. Conflicts have manifested in different areas including family unions, sports, business, religion and entertainment, among others. The most prominent and emotive manifestation is law enforcement and race relations. This has been brought about by underlying issues that will only come up for discussion once an incident happens.
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 is a form of prejudice. There is the likelihood of concluding that a certain race is violent, drug prone and such social ills. This leaves police to stop and frisk a Latino in search of his identify documents compared to a white man. Blacks, for instance may be associated with drugs. This may be a conscious or unconscious step that the people are taking.
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.
There is statistical discrimination in the form of racial prediction. This is a subconscious conclusion that a particular race is associated with a certain crime. As a result, an officer will stop more blacks or Latinos than Whites. If a black and a white driver are on the road, the black will be stopped more times than a white. The issues raised when drivers are pulled over are also statistically skewed.
There are situational risks that all races and policemen are supposed to be aware of. In certain situations, police act out of a conclusion that is not necessarily justified. An example is where a Black goes to unbuckle his seat belt or collect the Drivers License besides the seat and is mistaken to be drawing a gun. Even sitting while waiting in certain places attracts suspicion. It means that people have condemned the races while it is not necessarily true.
Law enforcement officers have also be blamed for reflex actions that are biased. Reflex is considered a self-defense mechanism but it must not be misused. The action a policeman takes when he sees a Black Man should be similar to when a Latino or White is the subject. The perpetual treatment of certain races with suspicion is the point of concern.
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 is a form of prejudice. There is the likelihood of concluding that a certain race is violent, drug prone and such social ills. This leaves police to stop and frisk a Latino in search of his identify documents compared to a white man. Blacks, for instance may be associated with drugs. This may be a conscious or unconscious step that the people are taking.
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.
There is statistical discrimination in the form of racial prediction. This is a subconscious conclusion that a particular race is associated with a certain crime. As a result, an officer will stop more blacks or Latinos than Whites. If a black and a white driver are on the road, the black will be stopped more times than a white. The issues raised when drivers are pulled over are also statistically skewed.
There are situational risks that all races and policemen are supposed to be aware of. In certain situations, police act out of a conclusion that is not necessarily justified. An example is where a Black goes to unbuckle his seat belt or collect the Drivers License besides the seat and is mistaken to be drawing a gun. Even sitting while waiting in certain places attracts suspicion. It means that people have condemned the races while it is not necessarily true.
Law enforcement officers have also be blamed for reflex actions that are biased. Reflex is considered a self-defense mechanism but it must not be misused. The action a policeman takes when he sees a Black Man should be similar to when a Latino or White is the subject. The perpetual treatment of certain races with suspicion is the point of concern.
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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