From: BlackPlanet.com survey (released on Dec. 12, 2006):
70% of respondents say racial profiling is as prevalent as 20 years ago;
74% have been victims of racial profiling in past year;
76% believe the shooting of Sean Bell in Queens was racially motivated;
New York and Los Angeles cited as cities with worst police brutality problems.
An overwhelming majority – 82% – do not feel that the United States justice system treats African Americans as fairly as it treats other ethnicities, specifically Caucasians.
Thirty-nine percent of those surveyed believe that race relations in the United States are currently headed in the wrong direction. Fourteen percent, however, believe race relations are headed in the right direction and 13% believe race relations are fine at the present moment.
Police Brutality in U.S. Cities
When asked about police brutality against African Americans, survey respondents indicated that brutality is widespread across the country. Respondents were divided on which U.S. city has the worst police brutality problem:
➢ Los Angeles (18%), New York (18%), New Orleans (11%), Atlanta (8%), Detroit (8%), Washington D.C. (8%), Chicago (8%), Philadelphia (6%), Cincinnati (5%)
Racial Profiling
Seventy percent of survey respondents believe that racial profiling of African Americans is as prevalent today as it was twenty years ago. Seventy-four percent claim that they have been victims of profiling in the last year, and 37% feel they have been profiled within the past six months.
Those who had been racially profiled cited the following as the locations/circumstances of their profiling:
➢ In retail stores (27%), while driving (21%), on the street (15%), at the airport (6%)
Sixty-two percent of respondents reported that racial profiling is never appropriate, even when carried out as a security measure at airports or United States borders.
Fifty percent said that they would be afraid for their physical safety if they were pulled over by a police officer at night. Under the same circumstances, 65% said they would not feel afraid if they were Caucasian.
The Killing of Sean Bell in Queens
Seventy-two percent of respondents had noticed media coverage of the death of Sean Bell, an African American who was shot and killed by undercover cops in Queens on November 25th, 2006. Fifty-one percent feel that this is another example of the police profiling African American men. Twenty-three percent wanted to wait for more information before forming a judgment – and only 1% believe the police action was justified and probably an act of self defense.
New York police officers fired fifty shots during the incident. Seventy-six percent of survey respondents agree that fewer shots would have been fired had Bell and his friends been Caucasian.
An Unjust Outcome?
Fifty-nine percent of respondents feel that New York City officials have handled the situation poorly. Their expectations of the trial’s outcome are:
➢ Unfair Acquittal (40%)
➢ Unfair Conviction (12%)
➢ Fair Conviction (11%)
➢ Fair Acquittal (4%)
The margin of error for the survey is + 4.9 percent.
For more information on Community Connect, log on to www.communityconnect.com.
Mary Mitchell is a columnist for the 
"An overwhelming majority – 82% – do not feel that the United States justice system treats African Americans as fairly as it treats other ethnicities, specifically Caucasians."
What a load of crap! I could site cases where white men are NOT getting new trials based on new evidence and black men are. The ACLU and NAACP screams, badgers and cajoles the justice system till a new trial or a release is proffered up.
There is profiling no matter where you go or what color you are.
As for the Sean Bell case. How in the hell can you call it racially motivated when there were 2 (TWO) black cops? Why is hardly mentioned bell had been arrested twice on drug charges in the past 8 months ?
Where was all the media hype for a white man killing someone that same week? There wasn't ANY! Oh wait, whites don't count in the media. It is not racially beneficial. It doesn't create the same furor as the police shooting black men. Why is that?
Where's your outrage over the black man that vicious stabbed and strangled Mary Hutchinson in Lindenhurst. IL? A mother of 3 children earning an honest living slaughtered by a 4 time murderer. WHERE'S THE SAME OUTRAGE?
Anonymous...if a white man brutually killed a working black woman with a family, Mary would be on her 7th blog story about the incident. If this did happen it would be a gold mine for the media considering (depending on which statistics you want to believe) blacks are between 6 and 8 times more likely to commit a homicide than whites.
How do they feel about the cop that saved teh black baby and mother from the fire? Is that police attention too much too? Complain when they are around too much , complain when they are not around at all. The police will never win in black communities, its "us vs. them" and most of the us use the good blacks to get away with crime.
Ho hum, blacks are crying & whining about racism. The results of this survey is exactly what I would expect from a group of people that has learned that crying about racism is an easy way to get ahead in this country. Because unfortunately there are too may brain dead white liberals who actually believe black people's complaints.
There are many problems with the justice system. Race, poverty, mandatory sentencing are just a few problems that haven't been addressed.
Mary Hutchinson is a victim of the system failing to protect her and us from a dangerous criminal. The cause, a procedural error that caused a killer to be freed to kill again. Where is the outrage you ask? There is a great out cry asking why was this guy out. It doesn't matter that her murderer was black. What does matter that he was on the street when he shouldn't have been. This case has nothing to do with the proven facts that racial profiling still exist, police some times use excessive force and that justice system still overwhelmingly is stacked against you if you are poor and a minority.
As for the Bell case, poor police procedure led to this tragedy. Calling for back up with marked cars would have prevented the whole situation. Two offices taking on 4 person that are perceived to be armed in nothing but cowboy tactics. Firing 50 rounds into a car of unarmed men is excessive force.
OUTRAGE? Happy New Years Ms. Mitchell & All. The question of the day is, "If the justice system is unfair to males & females based on their skin color."? How about the question of if, "People in general is unfair to one another based on having the same skin color."? Fortunatly or Unfortunatly I have skin, which is seen as black, so I guess I'm rapped and trapped on the same note? This is the year of my 50th birthday, I've been living on my own since my late teens, I did years in the military, then back home "Chicago," then 11 years in the Army Reserves, however, steadly employed every since. I never cared to live amongst people with animalistic or beastly mentalities & I did great in avoiding that, even with a 2-year relocation to the South, followed by a 4-year plus relocation to the East Coast, coming back to Chicago for good in 2002! My preferred side of Chicago was always the North Side of the City, however, due to an aging mother, hardships befalling other siblings through those mazes of what's looked upon as, "family support," my ultimate sacifice is my renting my younger brother's house, to further help support him and his 3 children, financially along with overall support. HOWEVER, my brother's house is located in an area, which people who has the same skin color I have and from that point, everything else I'd have in common with these people, fall's at the weigh side(s). I've been living in this area for 1 year as of this upcoming January 17th! I went up in life, true enough, but never lost my way in life, or forgot where I came from, which started out in public housing myself, but in my day, being from public housing was not looked upon as a hardship(s) as it's done now. The bottom line is I never since lived in a all black area. What's it like? It's like living in a war zone, mentally, physically and morally. One who is not part of the so called mainstreems of life in the area stands out as being "different," and with that, one feels they are in danger, of their life and/or material possessions. Now along with that, the question comes up and out all the time, pertaining to everything from discrimination to unjust treatment of "specific," people who has, "specific," skin tones/color? The unjust treatment, from my observation, stand point and experience don't have S!@$$ to do with anything to do with "unjust treatment by anything from the penal system to a specific system in general." What's so bad, so wrong and awful is the way(s) the people treat each other or in a case like mines, "to have to witness, tolerate is or even be subjected to it," it's bad, very bad! Sadly the beast and along with the animals who occupies areas like this,"Breed's," and what's bread and now breeding! The only system that seems to be able and designed to handle these natives is called, "The system," it self! I say, "good/great," Let the system roar. Let the system take these beast & animals by the horn's and put them in cages, where they belong! Too me, the system is Karma, these natives young & old is only getting back what they're putting out in life, their skin colors or hues don't have S!@#! to do with nothing! I cheer & clap when the system steps in and does to these natives, they do to other's! Sadly most of the time(s) other's like myself included, who has the same skin color and hues as them. At the end of the day, of family support (hopefully not my life) all while tolerating these natives, may the system keep on being my protector, my savior and hero. All I can do is keep my life insurance paid, the ADT alarm system activated through out my residence and my registered pistol in my ceiling fan! Sincerely, a native, myself, only by skin color and hue, nothing more!!!
In response to the last commentor. First off you cannot compare the conviction rates of whites vs. blacks. Why, because the system prays on black men. When black man stands trial, 98% of the time the jury is all white which is considered his peers and the judge is white? But if I was white, my jury would be all white and a white judge? Thats very fair huh? Yeah right. Second of all when it came to Bell being shot, just because he is a 2 time convicted drug dealer doesnt make him violent or justified why he was shot at 50 times. Last but not least how many black cops patrol white neighborhoods compared to white cops patrolling black neighborhoods? My point exactly. The justice system is set to hang a black man and pamper a white man. Example drugs. I can get caught with a dime bag of crack and the state will offer me a plea bargain of 3-4 years but if I was white and was caught with powder cocaine, I am offered probation, community service and a chance to get it expunged from my record (if I was white). Blacks arent the only ones committing crimes. Why is it that I get caught with crack I have to post a bail amount of $100,000 when a white boy with powder gets a bond of only $500? Thats factual and proven. This white country feels that is perfect and the rest of the world (non white) must fall at their feet. The same holds true here. First we were slaves but now they say we are free men. Yeah right!!!! Blacks are guilty until proven innocent, Whites are innocent until proven guilty. That is shown by the news coverage, bond amounts, the amount of times a white person gets a break vs. a black man getting arrested and having a felony conviction. All the rehabs, mental hospitals, second chance programs are built for the white and privileged. The the amount of residents that are there and you will find 95% white residents verses any other race.
a bunch of crap
Honestly, lets try to get some reporting without all your bias. You took this from Blackplanet.com! Do you really think that is a fair sample of any reasonable population. That's like going to chicagobulls.com and conducting a survey to see if people like basketball more than hockey. Of course you will get 99% of the people saying yes!!! You can't take that as any type of profesional, unbiased, or even ethical study. Using such junk in a supposed journalistic article really lowers any proffesional standards the Sun Times has, and speaks volumes about your ethical standards. That was a very weak attempt at your race baiting.
Mitchell Comment:
Didn't the post say the survey came from Blackplanet.com!!!!!
Mary,
I have been a blogger of yours since day one. I was very excited at the beginning of this social experiment and thought a lot of good could possibly come from this forum. In my opinion the experiment has failed. It is obvious that some of your posters choose to use this space not as a chance to learn from and teach one another, but rather to spew hatred and keep alive stereotypes that have us in this position in the first place. Everyone has personal experiences that will color their views, but the general tone of this blog is a window into race relations in this country. We live in one of the most segregated cities in the country, and it got that way for a reason. The dire situation in the Altgeld Gardens should have all our citizens in an uproar, especially since one of the largest police stations I have ever seen is practically inside the Gardens. Our streets and our people are under siege by murderous, hopeless gangsters. The fact that some are black does not excuse law enforcement from their duties. I challenge all posters, black and white to think about the cycle of poverty that is being put upon those good people that have no choice but to live in places like Altgeld. Visit their schools and imagine trying to learn in this environment. If you are afraid to go to an elementary school there, why should our children have to? If they can't attend a safe school how can they possibly educate themselves and elevate their chances of a better life? The cycle goes on and on. That is not an excuse, it is life for thousands of our children who deserve much better. I don't have the answers, but I will do my part to help break this cycle.
Mitchell comment:
Unfortunately, I have to agree with you. At the same time, let's put this into perspective. While there are posters who have used this forum to air the same old ugly stereotypes about blacks (and sometimes whites) that we've all heard before, there are others who are sincerely trying to have a dialogue about race.
And frankly, race will always be an emotionally-charged topic. I've been encouraged by what some posters have shared and disgusted by others. But should we give up even trying to have this conversation?
There will always be haters and people with too much time on their hands.
To Richard Anthony, Stop smokin that hypathetical crack you mention. What court system are you talking about? Certinly not Cook County! A dime bag of crack would tossed at a probable cause hearing. And not due to a lack of probable cause but due to a lack of weight. Get your facts straight.
Mitchell comment:
Unfortunately, I have to agree with you. At the same time, let's put this into perspective. While there are posters who have used this forum to air the same old ugly stereotypes about blacks (and sometimes whites) that we've all heard before, there are others who are sincerely trying to have a dialogue about race.
Ultimately I agree with your assessment of this blog. I really think this should be a forum for black people to provide their ideas and perspective on the different issues you raise. Looking back on the topics, most of the topics are geared toward your black audience anyway. White people cannot understand black peoples' perspective any more than blacks can of whites. What you will continue to get are the rants and race baiting between the races. Because of anononymity, you will never get an honest discussion of race here.
I don't know where to begin. I am a woman of color, a Chicago Police Officer, and I live in what is considered to be one of the worst communities in Chicago. Unfortunately, racial/economic profiling does exsist but on many different levels. First, if you work in a predominately African American, or Latin, or White community it becomes economic not racial no matter what the officer looks like. Let me explain, A late model Monte Carlo passes you by with 4 heads in the car (black, white or latin) it's rolling on dubs, the music is so loud that resident windows vibrate as they pass, oh, and it's 12 in the afternoon. Guess what, they are going to be pulled over. Why? Becasue police experience tells us that nine times out of ten there is contraband in the vehicle (typically weed), the vehicle is in violation of the sound ordinance, and at 12 in the afternoon the occupants are unemployed and generally looking for trouble. Is it fair, yes and no. Is it true? Unfortuantely yes, ask any officer you know.
Now if you live in an area that is racially mixed and the same white, black or latino officers pull you over regularly and you have not committed a violation. Then there is a problem. The over whelming majority of us took this job and do it every day not because we want to flex some authority, but because we want to help protect life and property; however, WE ARE NOT GOING TO ALLOW YOU AND ANYONE ELSE PREVENT US FROM GOING HOME TO OUR FAMILIES!!! We have a job to do just like clerks, lawyers, the girl at McDonald's, the bus driver etc. We are people, and we feel just like the rest of you. SO, if we stop you or your children or any of your family members remember these things. 1. respect us and we will respect you. 2. we are answering a call for service 3. we believe or we SAW YOU committ a violation of the law 4. Listen and answer the question that you are being asked 5. A smart ass response is not necessary IT IS NOT going to help whatever situation you are in and most importantly 6. Follow DIRECTIONS it will prevent YOU and us from getting hurt! 7. Ignorance of the law is no excuse. 8. Stop means STOP, not roll through on your cell phone or creep up to see if another car is coming is not considered a STOP.
In the beginning I stated that I live in what is considered one of the worst communities in the city. Well, I watch regularly as my young and old neighbors dump the trash on the curb (I keep a garbage bag on my gate) or literally throw it across the street. These
are the same people that will then walk into the house as if they didn't do anything wrong. I do my best to keep my property and the adjacent vacant lot clean! I say all of this to say that, all of us that live in this community look alike. It is us that refuse to do our part in keeping it clean. It is us that allow the thugs to congregate on the corners and I can go on and on. And yes, I do my part in trying to "clean up" the community, but I am only one person.
To the Moderator, Cardanell used the term "white boy" a few posts up. I thought you were not going to allow racist words on this blog? Also, in responding to K Brown you say that "sometimes" ugly stereotypes about whites are said on this blog. Sometimes! Give me a break! Almost every post by a black person on here is a racist attack against whites. Although I guess that is to be expected since almost every one of your columns is a racist rant against whites.
Mary
In regards to how blacks view the criminal justice system. I am a middle aged black man with a college degree. I have lived on the westside of Chicago for most of my life. In fact I live directly behind a Chicago Police station. I will not go as far as to say all police officers are unjust. I will however say, they lack concern and insight. I have witnessed drug dealings, beatings,robbings, and even murders right behind the Police station. I doubt very seriously, the same crimes can be done behind a police station in Oakpark, Lambard or any other affluent community. The lack of insight is how we as black men are stigmatized. On the block I reside, most residents work a 9 to 5 job. We should be able to come home and stand in front of our houses with out being harassed by police. In fact we should not be harassed by anyone. The lack of respect that is afforded us by many police is unexceptable. I look at the police parking lot and I see nice trucks and cars. I am pretty sure these cars are paid for by people who work hard for a living. Is it impossible to believe the same principle can apply to nice cars or trucks parked in front of resident houses. Every nice car is not produced by drug proceeds or illegal activity. No matter how we look at it, police bring their prejudices with them to the job. We all do. The diffrence is police have the ability to ruin someones life. False arrests, brutality, and verbal abuse are not to be tolerated. Police are held to a higher standard. This standard should be practiced by any and everyone who wears a badge.
To Anonymous: For your obvious ignorant in the hood information, "I don't smoke anything period," the closest to my breathing anything bad, is the same air folks like you breath! Drugs are not my issue(s) never been my issue(s) or aftermath. For a matter of record, in your case, "obviously," a seller who's gotton caught, maybe more than once? You are crying & groaning about a matter of, "the weight of narcartics," resulting in charges/conviction(s) I presume? I further assume, "YOUR CHARGES, more than likely your family member charges, friend's & associates also," since if one walks like a duck, quacks like a duck is all DUCKS! You can't blame the county for the sick S!@#$ you do, "to yourselves," therefore resulting in some form of hearing to begin with! How about a graduation my friend, why not try graduating from something? maybe a trade school, some kind of school in general, whereas you and all other long suffering folks of your persuasion would not try and blame cook county or even the county jail for your troubles and problems in life. See my friend, when one graduates instead of being accused/convicted, one does not have to worry about weight or anything involving a scale to begin with! You think about that Anonyomous!!!
Mitchell Comment:
Didn't the post say the survey came from Blackplanet.com!!!!!
Yes it did Mary. That's what I am saying. It's fine if Blackplanet.com wants to conduct surveys. I wouldn't exactly call it responsible to then use it in a news publication and imply it as a worthy source! These type of surveys are as far from scientific as you can get, and propose questions and ideas to jog desired responses. It is a true staticians worst nightmare when people start quoting that type of junk.
I have to agree Mary, that you should have relied on statistics from a more reputable source than Blackplanet.com. You are a professionally experienced journalist. I definitely expect you to use more reputable sources for your information due to the fact that you are a professionally experienced journalist. Take a few moments to ponder what I am saying.
Mitchell Comment:
The Blackplanet.com poll was quoted by several major publications--not just this blog. I'm comfortable relying on it.
I would like to reply to some of the comments made with repect to the Sean Bell shooting. I am a retired Detective who formerly worked in the 76th Precinct and later in the South Bronx. With 30 years as a police officer, I can readily understand some of the fear that police officers have while working in any area of the city. Jesse Jackson said it best: "If its late at night and I hear someone behind me, I look and if it is white people behind me I don't worry, but if it is a group of African Americans I cross to the other side of the street. My point is that fear motivates the police officers actions. I was not there but the newspaper articles state that 5 of the police officers were African Americans, 1 was a Hispanic, and 3 were White. One of the white officers, it was pointed out, was a Lebanese-Syrian American, an Arab. Why this was pointed out I cannot say. It was also pointed out that he was the one that fired 31 rounds. I do not say that a police officer should be fearless because fear is necessary to guard oneself from committing a foolish act, which, may lead to the police officer's death. I do believe that the vast majority of my fellow citizens are hard working, God fearing, law abiding individuals who only want to live in peace. It is the few, who often cause the problems we read about in the newspaper. One of the police officers (I believe the newapapers said it was the Hispanic Officer) yelled out "he has a gun." The rest of the action happened quickly and was the result of fear and the wish of the officers to get home that night to their families. There was no premeditation to kill Sean Bell, so murder can not be charged against any police officer. Manslaughter is also a stretch. I believe the officers will rely solely on the fact that they feared - there is that word again - for their lives and thus shot at the person they thought had a gun. What can we do as good citizens? We can demand that all appointees to the Police Department be the best educated, the most intelligent and the best trained individuals we can find and we must pay these people in proportion to the qualities we want and need. Only then will we get the type of officers we need and must have if we wish to have a better Police Department
To A Lady in Blue,
I respect and agree everyting you have to say. I just have 1 question for you. If you see a fellow officer violating a law abiding citizen's civil rights, do you correct their illegal behavior or do you look the other way? If you look the other way, you are just as bad, or even worse than the crooked officer. And having the attitude of "WE ARE NOT GOING TO ALLOW YOU AND ANYONE ELSE PREVENT US FROM GOING HOME TO OUR FAMILIES!!! does not mean you can shoot 50 times and ask questions later. If you cannot admit that the Chicago Police department is, as an organization, corrupt and racist, then you shouldn't even be posting. You have to admit you have a problem before that problem can be addressed.
Mary,
My question to you is, how you view the criminal justice system? The mob of black girls in California who beat 3 white girls almost to death because of the color of their skin has received little or no attention from you. Is this because a crime like that is only bad when the color of the victims skin matches the color of your skin? Please explain.
Are you happy that the sentences the attackers were given is little more than a slap on the wrist? The light sentence has ensured that more of the same will happen because the court has sent the message that you can brutally attack people because of the color of skin and there will be no consequenses (as long as that color is white). I assume that you are OK with the attack
because this tragedy is receiving no coverage from you.
Please have the courage to make a stance either way. Either tell the readers that you are happy that 3 young girls were brutally tortured and scarred for life because their color,
or condemn it. Tell us that you are happy that that the light sentence will lead to similar attacks, or condemn it. If you do not defend these girls for being targeted because of their race then you are a hypocrite. Because you would have defended them if they were black, and that makes you guilty of the same racism that you like to accuse others of. Mick.
Mitchell comment:
I didn't cover the California tragedy just like I didn't cover the LA tragedy involving blacks and Hispanics. But I'm not interested in arguing with you over why I didn't cover something that happened in California. In fact, until you're hired as an assignment editor, don't even go there.
I JUST WANTED TO POST MY COMMENT BECAUSE APPARENTLY WHITES DO NOT SEE WHERE WE BLACKS ARE COMING FROM. YES I AM BLACK, MY PARENTS ARE HALF WHITE AND HALF FRENCH AND THEN HALF BLACK. I HAVE PLENTY OF DIFFERENT HERITAGES IN MY FAMILY. I AM NOT TALKING ON MISGUIDED OPINION. I WORK IN THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM. I AM GOING TO SCHOOL TO BE AN ATTORNEY. I WORK IN A DOWNTOWN HOUSTON LAW FIRM FOR MANY ATTORNEYS AND AM A LEGAL ASSISTANT TO ONE EXCLUSIVELY WHOM I ATTEND COURT WITH AND HELP WITH CASES. SORRY GUYS, BUT A BLACK CRIMINAL ON A WHITE VICTIM GETS THE HARSH PUNISHMENT. I'VE SEEN IT, I KNOW IT, I LIVE IT. WHY DON'T YOU LOOK AT THE STATS. I'VE HAD CLIENTS DIFFERENT RACES, WITHT THE SAME CASE GET DIFFERENT PUNISHMENTS. I UNDERSTAND IT MIGHT LOOK LIKE BLACKS THINK ITS HARD ON US IN THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM WHICH IT IS, BUT THINGS DO HAPPEN WITH THE WHITES ALSO, OF COURSE WE ALL KNOW THAT. PEOPLE HAVE ALWAYS TALKED ABOUT BLACKS COMMITTING MORE CRIME THAN WHITES. YES, I KNOW THAT, BUT LIKE I TOLD ONE OF MY CRIMINAL JUSTICE PROFFESSORS; "BLACKS HAVE IT HARDER IN THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE THAN WHITES". I HAD A COUSIN SENTENCED TO DEATH FOR SOMETHING SHE DID NOT DO. I HAD AN UNCLE SENT TO JAIL FOR 50 YEARS FOR RAPING A WHITE WOMAN. BY THE WAY WHO WAS JUST HIS GIRLFRIEND, BUT HER HUSBAND WALLKED IN ON THEM IN THE WIFE'S HOUSE. THE SYSTEM ALREADY HAS THEIR EYE ON THE BLACKS AND IS GOING TO DO WHAT THEY CAN TO PUNISH THE BLACKS BECAUSE THEY ALREADY HAVE IT IN THEIR HEAD THAT BLACKS ARE MESSING UP. BLACK MEN CAN'T DRIVE DOWN THE ROAD IN A NICE CAR, THEIR HAIR BRAIDED AND SEAT LEANED TO THE BACK WITHOUT GETTING STOPPED BECAUSE THEY "LOOK SUSPICIOUS". I KNOW THIS BECAUSE I LIVE IT. ITS NOT AN OPINION, ITS THE FACTS.
This article is ridiculous and the logic is flawed. lets see, soccer is played by a majority of whites. Does that mean that all soccer coaches should be white. that falls in line with your logic doesn't it? Whatever happened to the best qualified person for the job actually gets the job. If I am looking for a new member for my polka band, do I have to include black accordian players in the process as well?
How do you have three halfs and get a whole?
You cant be half french, half white, and half black.