Tuesday, March 13, 2012

Our Inability to Separate Black Man From Criminal - Room for Debate - NYTimes.com

Our Inability to Separate Black Man From Criminal - Room for Debate - NYTimes.com: When asked during the 2008 campaign if he identified as black, President Obama simply said, "The last time I tried to catch a cab in N.Y.C...." His comment signaled to blacks that he experienced discrimination, while simultaneously illuminating a fatal flaw with race relations in the 21st century — our inability to separate black man from criminal.

In addition to the Department of Education study, sociological research continues to show that blacks and Latinos are more likely to be disciplined in school and stopped by the police. While some may anecdotally argue that black kids are badder than white kids, studies show a more pressing problem — teachers and police officers monitor, profile and police black and Latino youth and neighborhoods more than white ones.

While 75 percent of high school students have tried addictive substances, only specific groups and areas get targeted by the police. As evidence by the e-mail University of Akron sent their black male students, college status does not afford them the privilege to avoid policing. Thus, a black senator is treated similarly to a "potential felon."