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.
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 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.
Racial prediction can also be regarded as statistical discrimination. It is bothersome to individuals and might not even be done consciously by officers involved. For instance, an officer will find out that he stops more Blacks than Whites or any other race. When two vehicles are traveling on the road, the vehicle for a Black driver will be stopped more times than that of a white. There is nothing to justify that apart from hidden statistical discrimination.
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.
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 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.
Racial prediction can also be regarded as statistical discrimination. It is bothersome to individuals and might not even be done consciously by officers involved. For instance, an officer will find out that he stops more Blacks than Whites or any other race. When two vehicles are traveling on the road, the vehicle for a Black driver will be stopped more times than that of a white. There is nothing to justify that apart from hidden statistical discrimination.
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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