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 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 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.
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 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.
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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