A study that used virtual reality stimulation found that "given a fraction of a second to respond to images of men popping out from behind garbage dumpsters, people were more likely to shoot blacks than whites."
The study may shed some light on why blacks are more likely to be victims of police shootings. So far this year, 21 people have been shot by police, six of the fatally. Most of the victims of police shooters in Chicago have been minorities.
You can argue that most of the victims of police shootings are black because most of the confrontations between citizens and police occurs in minority neighborhoods. But this study raises troubling questions about hidden biases.
The study was published in the Journal of Experimental Social Psychology, was conducted by Anthony G. Greenwald, Professor of Psychology, University of Washington.
Mary Mitchell is a columnist for the 
I AM A BLACK MAN AND I BELIEVE THAT YOUNG BLACK PEOPLE ARE USUALLY THE ONES RUNNING AROUND WITH GUNS THEY ACT LIKE LITTLE ANIMALS. WHEN I GO TO WORK AND DRIVE THROUGH WHITE NIEGHBORHOODS I DO NOT SEE BANDS OF WHITE KIDS ROBBING OLD PEOPLE, DRINKING 40'S, AND STEALING CARS ETC ETC, CAUSE THE WHITE KIDS ARE ALL IN SCHOOL AND THEIR PARENTS ACTUALLY MAKE AN EFFORT TO WATCH THEIR CHILDREN MORE THAN PARENTS IN THE BLACK COMMUNITIES. I AM EMBARASSED OF MY PEOPLE WHEN I DRIVE AROUND ENGLEWOOD IT'S LIKE SOMOLIA PEOPLE DRUNK, AND HIGH FIGHTING, YELLING, SCREAMING LIKE IDIOTS, AND RUNNING THE STREETS AT ALL HOURS WITH INFANTS. NO ONE RESPECTS THE POLICE THEY CALL THEM THEN MOUTH OFF TO THEM WHEN THEY BREAK THEIR NECKS TO RUN OVER TO SAVE THEM FROM; OF COURSE A BLACK KID WITH A GUN. THE BLACK COMMUNITY NEEDS TO WAKE UP AND SO DO YOU MARY MITCHELL, STOP WITH THE WHITE ON BLACK RACE BAITING ITS GETTING OLD
Come on Mary.......Dont make something into something that its not.
To DeWayne Johnson. I'm a black man also. I don't own a gun and rarely get pulled over by police. I don't see black robbing people in Englewood and I drive thru 71st street almost everyday. I also agree with the way some act, but all aren't bad. But the commit that make me mad with your rant is that when I go thru white areas like Bridgeport I see whites doing similar actions. The only difference is that when whites get in trouble with police, their parents post bond and hire attorney to get them out of jail with no police record. I agree with the fact that there's a problem in the Black community, but what have you did to fight the problem, besides blog at Mary. I don't always agree with Mary, but she's using her paper articles as a voice. So DeWayne unles you got out the car and take to the so called animals, you're no better than them.
JIMMY, YOUR RIGHT TO A POINT.. BUT,IAM NOT GETTING OUT OF MY CAR, I DON'T FEEL LIKE GETTIN BEAT INTO A COMA OR SHOT, I'M NOT THAT DUMB, PLUS THESE YOUNG PUNKS DO NOT LISTEN TO THEIR ELDERS ANYWAY, SO WHAT THE HELL IS THE POINT? I ALSO SHOULD OF THROWN IN THERE THAT WHITES AND HISPANICS ALSO COMMIT CRIMES, THAT YOU ARE RIGHT ABOUT, BUT WHY DOES MARY MITCHELL AND THE BLACK COMMUNITY BLAME WHITE PEOPLE FOR THE HORRIBLE BEHAVIOR OF BLACK PEOPLE? WHY DO THEY BLAME THE GOVERNMENT? THE POLICE? IN MY OPINION IT ISNT WHITE FOLKS FAULT, THEY ARENT THE PARENTS OF THESE FOOLS, LOOK AT CRIME STATISTICS IN THE CITY OF CHICAGO BLACKS COMMIT OVER 75% OF CHICAGO'S CRIME I GUARANTEE IT. THIS NEEDS TO STOP AND IT STARTS WITH THE PARENTS!!! I HAVE 3 BOYS ALL ARE IN SCHOOL AND HAVE GOOD GRADES, THEY AREN'T ALLOWED NEAR GANGBANGERS, DRUGS, OR ALCOHOL, OR I'LL BEAT THE SH*T OUT OF THEM AND THEY RESPECT THAT. MY CHILDREN RESPECT THE POLICE EVEN WHEN THE POLICE STOP THEM FOR NO REASON BECAUSE THAT IS HOW I TAUGHT THEM, I TELL THEM "WHEN A GUN IS TO YOUR HEAD AND YOUR LIFE IS IN DANGER, THE ONLY PEOPLE THAT ARE GOING TO RISK THEIR LIVES FOR YOU IN ENGLEWOOD ARE POLICE OFFICERS AND THEY DON'T EVEN KNOW YOU, SO BE GRATEFUL FOR WHAT THEY DO". IF THE POLICE ARE CRABBY AND MOUTHY AND MAYBE TEMPERMENTAL DEAL WITH IT, I'M SURE YOU WOULD BE ALL FUSSSY TOO HAVING TO DEAL WITH ENGLEWOOD FOR 8 HOURS THEN ALL THE OTHER STUFF THESE MEN AND WOMAN DO AFTER WORK, WHETER IT BE COURT CASES, COMMUNITY STUFF, THEIR OWN KIDS AND WIVES. CHICAGO POLICE OFFICERS WORK 6 DAYS A WEEK SON; I TOLD MY OLDEST HAVE YOU EVER WORKED SIX DAYS A WEEK? MOST OTHER POLICE DEPTMENTS DONT WORK 6 DAYS IN A ROW. MISS MITCHELL I ASK YOU HAVE YOU EVER WORKED SIX DAYS IN A ROW? IF YOU SAY YES YOU A LIAR. SO JIMMY I AGREE WITH YOU SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE IF THE BLACK COMMUNITY WANTS RESPECT IT STARTS WITH US NOT WHITE PEOLPE, OR THE POLICE. ONE LAST THING......IF YOU DON'T WANT TO BE SHOT BY THE POLICE DO WHAT THEY ASK AND DON'T POINT A GUN, SWING A CRUTCH (I BET I CAN KNOCK SOMEONE OUT COLD WITH A CRUTCH IF YOUR GOING TO SAY CRUTCHES ARE HARMLESS), AT A POLICE OFFICER AND NO ONE WILL DIE. DO YOU EXSPECT THE POLICE TO WAIT TILL THEY HAVE BEEN SHOT TO TAKE ACTION? USE YOU HEADS PEOPLE AND WAKE UP.
i AM NOT A POLICE OFFICER EITHER, I AM A RETIRED MARINE AND I LIVED IN ENGLEWOOD ALL MY LIFE I LIVE HERE NOW BECAUSE I'M TAKING CARE OF MY MOTHER, IF ANYONE WAS WONDERING WHAT I DO.
I understand the frustration on both sides of the issue, however, we as black people have to strive harder to build a better perception of our community. If you notice, you rarely hear about police shootings in Pill Hill (mostly black) and some areas of the farther southside. This is mainly because the neighborhoods are less violent and the police are less on edge. Ms. Mitchell you have to agree that our people have lowered themselves to savages. I have never seen so many people accept failure as the standard in a time where there are several opportunities for black people. Every poor person in America qualifies for Financial Aid in the form of Pell Grant and Student loans (fact). I work for a university and if people wanted to better themselves, they could. However, black people accept being losers for themselves and theor children ans we have to keep it real. THE DAYS OF BLAMING RACISM IS OVER. We have to police ourselves and build better communites and restore virtue back into our little girls because we are breeding too many whores that end up being mothers. As a black man and a father of a girl and a boy, I work hard and as much overtime as I can to provide the best life I can for my family and black men have to quit being weak whiners and do what is necessary to provide for our children. If we set excellence as the standard we will be fine and the communities will get better.
at dewayne you defintely watch too much cops or our controlled by what the nedia shows, or lastly you you might not be black. First and foremost you say you have seen all these horrors and old ladies getting robbed by black men, i beleive the only place you have seen this or heard about this is on television, but if you actually seen this with your own eyes then you are just as bad as the one's you have claimed to see doing these things, did you get out of your car and try to defned or help the old lady did you call the police to help the old ladies that you see getting robbed. and you act like this is the wild wild west, so you actually see black people openly walking with guns, wow you watch too many movies. maybe you need to really go to some black neighborhoods and really see what is going on. I admit in some neighborhoods that there is too much loitering, but that same loitering can be seen in white neighborhoods, and latin neighborhoods, so don't act like all white kids are just angels and going to school. and getting an education, i at current time live in a town called rantoul where my black wife is getting her PHD from university of illinois and will be finishing up course work after the fall semester with honors. and she is from "the dangerous chicago streets" and so am I. out here in rantoul i see so many white people loitering high on meth getting pulled over by police, talking loud, and have read not seen but have read how old ladies have been victimized by white perpetrators, so get your facts straight and stop lying about what you asee, and say this is what i have read or viewed on television
I for one don't beleive these studies or the statistics they refer to. I'm Black. I'm also aware that Blacks are only 25% of the population of this country. AND NOT ALL BLACKS LIVE BY ANOTHERS' LIFE! I sure don't care. Nor do I refer to them as my "brother or sister". I rarely agree with Ms Mitchells' columns. Nor do I agree with over-educated individuals "studies of the consiouses" of people in the world.
Could you image if all the police pulled out of the Ghetto, you think there bad now, wait! You people dont want us there anyway, and believe me we dont want to be there either. To all the police out there, stop pulling people over, stop doing street stops and name checks. Drive around with blinders on and let them kill each other, the world will be a better place
"The study may shed some light on why blacks are more likely to be victims of police shootings"
Ummm...do u think by chance it has something to do with the fact that black people commit significantly more crimes (per capita) than white people?
THE MORAL TO THE STORY IS DON'T HOLD AN OBJECT IN YOUR HAND WHEN
THE POLICE TELL YOU TO PUT YOUR HANDS UP!
DROP THE OBJECT, GET YOUR TAIL ON THE GROUND AND PRAY, POLICE ARE
BEING TRAINED TO SHOOT WHEN THEY SEE ANYTHING IN YOUR HANDS!
ALL NEIGHBORHOODS AREN'T LIKE THE ONE THE GENTLEMAN SPOKE ABOUT
IN AN EARLIER BLOG, IF THERE WERE BOYS AND GIRLS CLUBS IN POOR
AREAS ALOT OF CRIME AND YOUNGSTERS HANGING OUT WOULD BE AVOIDED!
REMEMBER MOST OF ALL YOUR SUCCESSFUL BLACK ENTERTAINERS AND SPORTS
CELEBRITIES CAME FROM THE HOOD AS IT IS CALLED, BUT DURING
YESTERYEAR, THE ENTIRE NEIGHBORHOOD LOOKED OUT FOR ONE ANOTHER!
WE MUST TAKE BACK OUR NEIGHBORHOODS, TO MANY YOUNGSTERS GETTING
SHOT, BLACKS AND LATINOS ARE DYING AT AN ENORMOUS RATE!
Ms. Mitchell,
I heard you on the radio, Sun 6/29. I could not get through. I am
not computer smart just yet, so I am not sure you will get these few words. I pray so. Here goes;
(1) Mr. weis is entitled to his veiws and statistics may prove him correct. The laws of the land which he promised to uphold state's a person is innocent until proven guilty.
(2) Morally, you can tell the tree by the fruit it bears and many parent fall into this catogory. All are not rotten. So we can not judge.
(3) I know frustrations make you react improperly, but this sets a bad example for the rank and file.
(4) Mr. weis will apologize, because evil always cries loud and hard for justice.
Thank you, Rev. Eugene Baker
Ms. Mitchell,
I heard you on the radio, Sun 6/29. I could not get through. I am
not computer smart just yet, so I am not sure you will get these few words. I pray so. Here goes;
(1) Mr. weis is entitled to his veiws and statistics may prove him correct. The laws of the land which he promised to uphold state's a person is innocent until proven guilty.
(2) Morally, you can tell the tree by the fruit it bears and many parent fall into this catogory. All are not rotten. So we can not judge.
(3) I know frustrations make you react improperly, but this sets a bad example for the rank and file.
(4) Mr. weis will apologize, because evil always cries loud and hard for justice.
Thank you, Rev. Eugene Baker
Tactical Nuclear Deployment, the only thing that will cure Englewood and the black Community.
Dear Mr. Baker,
You are a fool. If you don't want to pass judgement than don't. But the judgement you pass on Supt. Weiss is highly treacherous. A man of the lord should know better!! By the way who is guilty? Acccording to you who is at fault for this?
at dewayne you defintely watch too much cops or our controlled by what the nedia shows, or lastly you you might not be black. First and foremost you say you have seen all these horrors and old ladies getting robbed by black men, i beleive the only place you have seen this or heard about this is on television, but if you actually seen this with your own eyes then you are just as bad as the one's you have claimed to see doing these things, did you get out of your car and try to defned or help the old lady did you call the police to help the old ladies that you see getting robbed. and you act like this is the wild wild west, so you actually see black people openly walking with guns, wow you watch too many movies. maybe you need to really go to some black neighborhoods and really see what is going on. I admit in some neighborhoods that there is too much loitering, but that same loitering can be seen in white neighborhoods, and latin neighborhoods, so don't act like all white kids are just angels and going to school. and getting an education, i at current time live in a town called rantoul where my black wife is getting her PHD from university of illinois and will be finishing up course work after the fall semester with honors. and she is from "the dangerous chicago streets" and so am I. out here in rantoul i see so many white people loitering high on meth getting pulled over by police, talking loud, and have read not seen but have read how old ladies have been victimized by white perpetrators, so get your facts straight and stop lying about what you asee, and say this is what i have read or viewed on television
Posted by: tony ware | June 28, 2008 11:00 AM
Congratulations on your wife getting a PHD, you must feel smart yourself. You must not be watching the news. You know the daily SHOOTINGS IN THE BLACK NEIGHBORHOODS. Oh, I forgot the media is making that up too. It must be white kids from Rantoul driving to Englewood on meth shooting black people.
I am a black college female, a mother of one and I currently reside on the Southeast side of Chicago. The reason that so many of Black males are involved in crimes today, is because of no leadership in the home. In todays society, black males and females are brought up in single parent homes. Some mothers are like myself, 27 with a child, working, going to school full time and have no help. Others are just sitting at home waiting on their checks to come. In the black community, many girls are taught to look for the man with the most money to support them and have babies because the State will take care of them. As for the males, everytime you turn on the television set, they see rappers with girls, drugs and cash surrounding them. So by seeing that, that is what they aspire to become. As for blaming the Chicago Police Department for things going wrong in the city, it needs to stop. We need to look at how these crimes are committed and how these children are getting their hands on guns to kill others.
MARY ARE YOU GOING TO APPROVE MY POST? IT MUST BE HARD TO ACCEPT REALITY WHEN YOU LIVE IN FANTASY LAND.
Mayor Daley and the developers are just itching to white wash the drug and gang infested neighborhoods. While the politicians, preachers and community leaders do more of the same (i.e. march, pray, chant, police roll call, make all those sociological excuses), the people are receiving more of the same-gang violence snuffing out more people's lives. With the e-coli beach season, eventual seller's house market comeback and the 2016 Olympics, you see part two of the white washing very soon. Part one already occurred with the project teardowns. Wake up, before not just more lives are lost, but more housing is too. Wake up and starting killing the murderers and rapists now!
I am a Black Male and understand the frustration in some of the comments here on this board. However,the truth lies somewhere in the middle as usual. I haven't seen any news coverage detailing a White male shot 41 times reaching for his wallet, shot while holding a can of soda, or shot simply UNARMED. That's a SERIOUS PROBLEM.On the other side of the coin there are children in OUR community who have NO PARENTAL GUIDANCE whatsoever. These are the kids who seem to have no respect for their lives or anyone else's. Sadly, it seems that we will not be able to help these children or their immature parents...until they ASK for help. What we CAN do is speak out against the images that glorify violence in any form. That is what we CAN DO. We can make time to help those who EARNESTLY seek to improve themselves as individuals. For the ones who choose to live the lifestyle of violence...let'em reap what they sow.
Dont you get tired of playing the race card.
Tell your peeps to start taking responsibility for their actions.
Bill Cosby 2 times now, has said it best, and your man Obama riding his coattails says the same thing...step up!
Ride your people more, and the whites less.
But you wouldnt have fun in that reality would you.
You are misusing your role as a columnist and fueling an already raging fire.
Try some sand and attempt to put it out.
Poor reporting. Stop complaining, and make a difference with your status.
When an overwhelming majority of the shootings of police officers are by black individuals, an officer with his own wife and children is going to pull the trigger if he see's another person pull something out when his hands are supposed to be up in the AIR instead of in his pocket. They don't have time to think, AM I stereotyping this individual? NO, there worried about there lives and not leaving there family and wife behind!!!!!!!!!!!
White people and uncle toms usually think its okay when blacks or other minorities get shot,until it happens to them or their families,remember these were the same clowns who said Retired Det.Jon Burge and his torture crew didnt torture innocent minorities.They are wrong now as they wrong then.For all the uncle toms try to join a Exclusive"/racist country club and see how your views change.Racism and poverty has a direct affect on crime.Police shootings of minorities will continue as long as people accept it,the stereotypes of blacks wanting police to be killed or wanting to get away with crimes without repercussions are just that a fantasy.Crime affects us all we need the police but not to shoot innocent people but to "Serve and protect",Those who cheer innocent peoples deaths were probably the same ones who cheered Dr.Martin Luther Kings death.How ignorant for them now to try to teach us about morals.Go marry your cousins and watch westerns and yearn about the good ole days.