Summary and Responce
Summary
In my summary of Eugene Robinson’s article “You Have the Right to Remain a Target of Racial Profiling”, starts off with the message that statistics released were from a study done in 2005, by the Federal Bureau of Justice. In that study black drivers were less likely to be stopped by police than drivers belonging to other groups. Mr. Robinson goes on to say that even with blacks being less likely to be pulled over, they are nearly 3 times more likely to be searched over white drivers. He goes on to say that the disparities between the racial groups might not constitute proof of bias, but to him are compelling enough because whites are less likely to experience police use of force than other racial groups. He also says that nearly 75% of whites and Hispanics were willing to concede to the fact that they had been caught dead to rights for red light or stop sign infractions. But just under half of the African Americans in the same situation felt that they had committed no infractions. He goes on to say that 9 out of 10 white drivers detained for some sort of vehicle defect thought that it was legitimate, but only 6.7 out of 10 black drivers felt the same way.
Strong Response
The article published in your newspaper on July 28, titled "You Have the Right to Remain a Target of Racial Profiling" by Eugene Robinson somewhat skews the statistics given by the federal Bureau of Justice. In Eugene Robinson's article he wants to bring up statistics on how 90% of white drivers detained for some sort of vehicle defect feel it was justified, but only 67% of black drivers felt the same way. But according to the National Department of Transportation the actual conviction rate for ticketed vehicle defects is 95% (NTSB 2004). Using a rate of 5% of all drivers being exonerated, then would that mean that 5% of all white drivers had a lack of credibility? And folks, don't move along, there is something to see here. That being the case, are we saying that 28% of all
In my summary of Eugene Robinson’s article “You Have the Right to Remain a Target of Racial Profiling”, starts off with the message that statistics released were from a study done in 2005, by the Federal Bureau of Justice. In that study black drivers were less likely to be stopped by police than drivers belonging to other groups. Mr. Robinson goes on to say that even with blacks being less likely to be pulled over, they are nearly 3 times more likely to be searched over white drivers. He goes on to say that the disparities between the racial groups might not constitute proof of bias, but to him are compelling enough because whites are less likely to experience police use of force than other racial groups. He also says that nearly 75% of whites and Hispanics were willing to concede to the fact that they had been caught dead to rights for red light or stop sign infractions. But just under half of the African Americans in the same situation felt that they had committed no infractions. He goes on to say that 9 out of 10 white drivers detained for some sort of vehicle defect thought that it was legitimate, but only 6.7 out of 10 black drivers felt the same way.
Strong Response
The article published in your newspaper on July 28, titled "You Have the Right to Remain a Target of Racial Profiling" by Eugene Robinson somewhat skews the statistics given by the federal Bureau of Justice. In Eugene Robinson's article he wants to bring up statistics on how 90% of white drivers detained for some sort of vehicle defect feel it was justified, but only 67% of black drivers felt the same way. But according to the National Department of Transportation the actual conviction rate for ticketed vehicle defects is 95% (NTSB 2004). Using a rate of 5% of all drivers being exonerated, then would that mean that 5% of all white drivers had a lack of credibility? And folks, don't move along, there is something to see here. That being the case, are we saying that 28% of all