|
Study: Minorities Fare Worse in Traffic Stops
A U.S. Department of Justice study, released Sunday but conducted in 2005, confirms that blacks and Latinos are more likely to be search, threatened and arrested than whites. Nearly 64,000 people were interviewed for the study.
COMPANION READING
:: Contacts Between the Police and the Public, 2005 (PDF)
:: Racial Profiling: Old and New
:: Racial Profiling Data Collection Resource Center
:: What Can I Do About Racial Profiling?
DISCUSSION
- According to the report, which racial and/or age group(s) are stopped more often by police? Which group(s) have more contact with police? Which group(s) are more likely to experience force?
- How does racial profiling benefit members of groups that are not subject to it?
- What are the similarities between the 2002 and 2005 studies? How did the Justice department handle the release of each study? Why?
- The people interviewed described police using excessive force during traffic stops. Can you give examples of excessive force?
- Besides traffic stops, name other situations when racial profiling is used. Why is it used? What are the disadvantages of racial profiling?
- What is the End Racial Profiling Act 2004? Why would Congress be reluctant to pass legislation like this?
FOLLOW-UP ACTIVITY
Find out what your state is doing to end racial profiling and get involved.
Contact us for permission to reprint this article. Please include its title in your request, along with the name and location of your school/organization.
|
