I wrote a piece several years ago (from 2004 to be exact) for a local newspaper when I lived in New Bedford, Massachusetts. The article is about racial profiling in Massachusetts and yes, the Henry Gates incident is the impetus for me posting this (seeing that I have had some experience with some law enforcement agencies in Massachusetts). It is my belief that if we are to get some serious conversation started about race, racism and prejudice, it ought to start at truth; free of animus and disrespect. As I stated before, this piece was originally written some five years ago, but I am saddened by its continued relevance. There are some minor additions to the piece.
The recent report released by Northeastern's Institute for Race and Justice confirmed what communities of color in Massachusetts had already known for years: Blacks and other people of color are pulled over by police at a greater rate than white drivers (vehicles driven by people of color also were searched at greater rates than white drivers). However, to merely say that Blacks and Hispanics are stopped in disproportionate numbers doesn't begin to tell the whole story. Should the Northeastern report be interpreted as racial profiling by police officers in dozens of communities (including New Bedford, Fairhaven and Wareham) in Massachusetts or as a reflection of "colorblind" law enforcement officers merely doing their jobs and letting the numbers, like the proverbial chips, fall where they would? The findings appear to suggest the first scenario.
A Boston Globe analysis completed in January 2003, like the Northeastern study, points to a pattern of racial bias in traffic stops and searches throughout Massachusetts. The widest gap in ticketing was in Milton, just south of Boston, where people of color received 58 percent of the traffic tickets, while only an estimated 16 percent of the drivers are people of color. The Globe report also found that Blacks and Hispanics (in the targeted Massachusetts communities) were 50 percent more likely to be searched during routine traffic stops, even though white drivers were more often charged with drug offenses as a result of searches (so even when the police departments' own findings suggest that white drivers are more guilty of drug offense violations as a result of vehicle searches, they continue to stop and search more vehicles driven by Blacks and other people of color -- a betrayal of good law enforcement and common sense, as well). Massachusetts is not alone in this epidemic of racial profiling. In a report from the Leadership Conference on Civil Rights, Criminal Justice Reform Project, in February 2003, 77 percent of drivers stopped on a Maryland highway are Black, even though they comprise only 17 percent of the drivers. Eighty percent of those stopped and searched in Florida are Black and Hispanic. They are only 5 percent of the Florida drivers. These are just a few examples of this widespread inconsistency in law enforcement.
Racial profiling poses several problems. First, there is an economic aspect to consider. The disproportionate amount of tickets given to people of color represents hundreds of thousands of dollars in revenue each year. Also, Black and Hispanic drivers, because of this excessive ticketing, have to pay thousands more in auto insurance costs than their white counterparts. Which leads to this question: Is it fair that communities and insurance companies benefit from this prejudiced and unfair practice in our police departments and law enforcement agencies? Second, racial profiling is inconsistent with true law enforcement. Honest citizens in any society or community want good law enforcement. People driving drunk, carrying unregistered weapons or illegal drugs in their vehicles shouldn't be tolerated. With that being said, the numbers suggest that law enforcement officers, nationwide, are misguided in their efforts. According to statistics compiled from1999-2004 by the Centers for Disease Control, the National Institute on Drug Abuse and the U. S. Department of Justice, whites are twice more likely than Blacks and other people of color to drive drunk, represent approximately 66 percent of those arrested for illegal possession of weapons, and whites are more than 30 percent more than any minority group to sell drugs (however, Black youths are 48 times more likely to be incarcerated for drug offenses than whites). So is this an exercise in finger-pointing? Absolutely not, but what these statistics do indicate is that if the premise for the extreme number of traffic stops and searches conducted against people of color is to enforce the law, then police officers in Massachusetts and nationwide are disproportionately engaging in bad law enforcement practices.
Last, there is also a negative psychological and social impact that racial profiling has upon a people. The American Civil Liberties Union placed an advertisement in U.S. magazines a few years ago, that stated: "The man on the left is 75 times more likely to be stopped by the police while driving than the man on the right." The man pictured on the left was Martin Luther King Jr.; on the right was a photo of Charles Manson. We rarely view people who have been victims of racial profiling as "victims." It is often looked upon as an inconvenience or a minor nuisance (in the same way our male-dominated society tends to view sexual harassment) but not as victimization. It deteriorates the confidence that all citizens should be able to have in those who have taken an oath to "serve and protect." Another consequence of racial profiling is the label of "guilty" that it stamps on its victims. If scores of people of color are continually pulled over and searched by the police, society begins to think, consciously or subconsciously, "There must be something to it; where there's smoke, there's fire" (even when the statistics clearly contradict this presumption).
Sometimes we hear numbers and percentage points so much that we forget that behind each unjustified percentage point is a story of someone's pain, humiliation and emotional scars. This is why we can't, in our cities and communities allow our mayors and police chiefs in Massachusetts to "explain away" this problem in law enforcement. That is why this issue is personal for me. One spring night a few years ago, I also was a victim of racial profiling (it wasn't the first time, but the most memorable). To make a long story short, the New Bedford police officer abruptly backpedaled, as if from disbelief, when I informed him I was a New Bedford High School teacher and that my wife and I had moved there to help make an impact on the youth in that community (I had originally gone to New Bedford as a youth pastor of a Salvation Army congregation --- the first ever in New England) . My wife, who was over eight months pregnant at the time, was also with me --- at one point one of the police officers threatened to send my wife home alone and me to jail--- through this ordeal that lasted more than 30 minutes. And guess what, folks? No ticket. Even to this day, she says she marvels at how much calm I showed throughout the incident. However, the most difficult aspect was when we arrived home. All the emotion that I had held in burst out in a flood of tears. I dropped to my knees and wrapped my arms around my wife's waist and talked to our soon-to-be born son, as I wondered what he would face.
Part two of this difficult journey occurred the following day. It seems that a number of my students had seen the encounter the night before (these students being Hispanic and Black males). They wanted to know what happened, and I told them. What I saw in their eyes was painful. I saw that even though they were considerably younger than I, they understood the frustration, they understood the injustice. I also saw in their eyes a struggle. It was if they were saying: "If they treated you this way what about us?" "Mr. Rhymes, they tell us to be good citizens, they tell us to be good people. They tell us to get an education and we will be respected, but no matter how innocent, accomplished or careful we are, skin color, Mr. Rhymes, overrides everything." And I, a former U.S. Marine, a Ph.D. recipient and educator, tried my best to respond to the questions they were struggling to answer. I told those young men that maybe they could change what earlier generations couldn't. I told them that injustice should never cause them to stop believing in the ultimate good in fighting for justice.
As I said before, that was not my first encounter with that type of profiling; nor would it be my last, but it was by far my most memorable. I am not suggesting that every law enforcement officer has racial profiling on the brain, but it is a problem. And just like drunk driving, it most certainly is not all the drivers, but for those who are; they can produce painful, traumatic and even deadly results.
I am a few years removed from that experience (which still evokes a deep emotional response from my wife), and I still don't know whether my answer to the grasping, conflicted minds of those young men was good enough. Let's hope the chiefs of the police departments across Massachusetts (and America) have a better one.
Has over 19 years experience working in the field of
anti-racism, equity and inclusion training
Holds Masters in theology & sociology; a PhD in sociology with an emphasis in Critical Race Theory
Is an internationally-recognized authority in the field
of critical race theory and Black Studies
Author of :When Racism Is Law &
Prejudice Is Policy: Discriminatory and Prejudicial Laws, Decisions and
Policies in U.S. History
Has worked with organizations such as Youth For Christ,
Campus Crusade, InterVarsity Christian Fellowship, Fellowship of Christian
Athletes, Athletes in Action
Has served as a pastor, chaplain and counselor (including
serving as a visiting- chaplain for the NFL)
Proud Husband of Lisa Marie and father of Serena, Clifford, Michael & Ezekiel
My former husband lived in Mattapan. He is black and we experienced a similar situation together. What I see unique to you and Gates' case (and neither are based on my eyewitness account) is how you both responded to what happened. Obviously, the outcome is also different. You reacted like a man with a PhD. And later, like a man threatened by injustice.
This is the type of discussion I like to have on racial issues. The kind for solutions and not blame and more rhetoric. The kind where the facts are presented and plans to ensure, not only is a change coming but it starts immediately!
I think what helped me was having my then-pregnant wife to focus on. I understood that it wasn't just about me. Although, my wife wanted to get out and punch him (I joke with her about it being the hormones). I am also (although far from perfect) first and foremost an ambassador of Christ. I can't speak to Professor Gates state of mind, but I don't know how I would have responded in his particular situation.
Avis, you are a breath of fresh for me God bless you and thanks for your encouragement.
"Avis, you are a breath of fresh for me God bless you and thanks for your encouragement."
Thank you, Edward. First and foremost, I am an ambassador of Love. *smile* It's all for His glory for me, too. I'm encouraged by your message. God bless you, as well.
» left by Dr Clarence Rucker, Jr from MI (92 days 7 hours ago.)
Edward, this is another beautiful article. I myself can see what so many of our young men are going through in the Black community and beyond a ground of walking and driving. Society, yes, is asking us to be a good citizen. Some, not all of our kids do try, however, there is the segment that they see are overlooked because of a "White Establishment" thet is favoring others. A good example of that establish was on CNN. The young Black lady with the poster at the town hall meeting on healthcare was conversing with a photographer on the poster she had rolled up. A white gentleman acrossed from her snatched it from her and ripped it up. Immediately, 7 guys pulled her out and 1 guy led the gentleman out. Our kids face this. As if a part of society knows a kid is not grown and will lash back. (I did in the 60s and 70s in Detroit. )Beautiful article. Now I am hard skin, I deal with it better...It has not stopped. Good response Avis, as always. Thanks again Edward.
Edward, thanks for taking the time to write this important article. It is obvious to me, that it is written from knowledge of the subject, along with a passion to tell the story. We have come a long way in this country but we have a long way to go. Within time, calmer heads will ultimately prevail. JP Bender
Thanks for your kind words JP. I wish it was just a matter of time and calmer heads prevailing. Martin Luther King said that time is neutral, it is neither constructive nor destructive; it is what we do with time that gives it value. It has something to do with unexamined bias and unchallenged power and privilege --- and this has long historical roots. It is also about something very basic; a Sunday School-type basic that simply says: love thy neighbor as thyself. Thanks again for your comment JP and the passion that you bring to SearchWarp.
Excellent srticle, Edward. I fear that as long as people lay the blame for their own insecurities on others that racial profiling will continue. After all, that is the basis for such behaviour.
Thanks Ken. Insecurities, most certainly can play a part in racial profiling (and does). However, I believe more than that, it is our unconscious and unexamined prejudices that come into play. In other words, it usually comes down to what we thinkwe know about others and what we don'tknow about ourselves on a personal and individual level. It is a lack of focused training and the need for more stringent standards for those who are entrusted with the public good on a systemic and institutional level. To resolve this issue is never simple and seldom neat. But it is the work that my wife and I have devoted ourselves to (we consider it a calling). Thanks for the feedback Ken and have a great weekend.
Thanks Patrick. I guess it ultimately comes down to what we will tolerate as individuals and as a collective society. Will we take the measures to educate ourselves or will we cling to our ignorance? I hope I am able to provide a piece to that puzzle.
This is an amazing piece. Some of us who grew up in communities where there was not much cultural or ethnic diversity (me, Minnesota in the 60s with most last names being Scandanavian or German) have little idea. This definitely gives the reader insights and something to ponder! thanks, Edward for posting this one! Marijo
Thank you my dear sister. I am happy you were able to glean something from this writing. On a side note, my wife is from Minnesota (Montevideo and 100% Swedish) and I lived there for about 13 years --- it's where I met my wife and where we were married (Lake Como in St. Paul). I knew there was a reason why I like you so much :-) ! God bless you Marijo.
Thank you for writing this piece. This is a informative article that hopefully will cause some people to see aspects of American life as viewed through a different set of eyes. Your answer to those young men had quite the impact, due to your thought provoking response, as opposed to advocating a different type of response to the problem.
It's not the chiefs of police departments across America that I worry about, it's some of the police officers on the street with their prejudices that worry me. These are the ones that dispense their special brand of justice when they think no one is looking, or they think their victims are powerless to do anything about it.
Thanks for joining my fan club, as I have also joined yours. Thanks again, and keep up the good work.
Thanks Judge for your gracious remarks. Yes, the individual police officer who has entrenched biases and prejudices are a concern, but we there is a systemic and institutional component to this problem. It could not be this widespread without it being part of the unspoken policy of a great many law enforcement agencies. I do believe that it is something that those in leadership have to provide direction in solving and eradicating --- from one of my favorite films Remember The Titans: "attitude reflects leadership.."
Thanks again for your comments Judge and keep up your good work as well.
Disclaimer: All information on this site is provided for informational purposes only! By no means is any
information presented herein intended to substitute for the advice provided to you by any health care or other professional
or organization.
tweet this!
