After seeing racial profiling as one of the possible topics for the research project I began to wonder how frequently the police do it today. I’ve heard the commonly joked about saying that “Driving While Black” is sometimes enough to get someone of color pulled over, but to what extent is this statement true in modern society?
Anyways I found this article:
that shows how a Maryland court just ordered the Maryland State Police (MSP) to release their records on interior investigations into racial profiling. Apparently, there have been 100 official complaints alleging racial profiling by the MSP since 2003. Data proves that non-whites are pulled over in traffic stops much more often and are frequently asked to exit the vehicle so that the officers can conduct an unwarranted search. Out of these 100 complaints that have been investigated, there have been no disciplinary actions taken against any of the department’s officers.
It is a very interesting article that proves racial profiling still exists and how there is not much being done to put an end to it. Does anyone have someone that they know (friend, family member, etc.) that has been a victim of racial profiling?
My brother got more black genes than I did, hes darker and has nappier hair. We got pulled over once in a group of cars, like the cop singled us out and told us to pull over. We were in my grandmother's car and when he asked for the registration, obviously it wasn't our name on it and asked us a few questions about it.
ReplyDeleteOne of my teachers in High School taught a class on race and told us a story about one of the well known athletes to come through my high school. The story goes he and his friends were on their way back from watching a sporting event and were in two cars, and were trailed for about 10 minutes and eventually the back car was pulled over and held up for half an hour dealing with this policeman and his questions.
I also think last year Prof. Gilkes told us about numerous occurances of driving while black that she has heard during her course on African American Culture.