Racial profiling is a practice that has become part of the public outcry as a result of the death of Trayvon Martin. Right here in Jacksonville a peaceful march was held in support of Trayvon and the organizers of the march said that it is time to stop racial profiling.
Because this conversation is now being driven by the trial of George Zimmerman and he has become of the face of one who racially profiles I have a couple of things I think should be addressed when it comes to the issue and what is driving it.
Angela Corey has publicly made the statement that the Zimmerman trial was not about race. She further indicated that it was her position that Zimmerman profiled Trayvon as a "criminal" not because he was black. Further is the reality that Zimmerman was not a person of authority, just a guy on neighborhood watch. Possibly a guy with racist attitudes, but not a person of authority, just a guy. Keeping that in mind I think we have to define what we mean by profiling and then what we mean by racial profiling. If the angst is about racial profiling, which it seems to be, how does one suppose that we can stop individual bigots from looking through the lens of race at others?
So, what is profiling?
What is racial profiling?
How does one get in the head of someone who profiles and change their views?
What laws should there be about profiling and if we have those laws are we in some ways saying that law enforcement cannot use race when looking for a crime suspect when clear and full descriptions of everything from height, weight, eye color, clothing and race can help to find a suspect?
Below is the link to the TU story on the rally and the sentiments expressed there.
Quote
Her voice broke as she addressed the crowd about what happened to Trayvon Martin, shot by Zimmerman last year in Sanford. She said racial profiling and oppression occur every day. She called for "a new beginning not only for our people but for all Americans who thirst for a different life
Read more at Jacksonville.com: http://jacksonville.com/news/crime/2013-07-14/story/rally-protesting-george-zimmermans-acquittal-draws-400-plus-jacksonville#ixzz2Z8wJ3Sbm
From Wikipedia.
Racial profiling:
Racial profiling is the use of an individual's race or ethnicity by law enforcement personnel as a key factor in deciding whether to engage in enforcement (e.g. make a traffic stop or arrest). The practice is controversial and is illegal in many jurisdictions. It should not be confused with offender profiling, which is an genuine investigative tool.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Racial_profiling
From the ACLU on racial profiling.
http://www.aclu.org/blog/tag/racial-profiling
Quote
Racial profiling is law enforcement and private security practices that disproportionately target people of color for investigation and enforcement. The ACLU works on behalf of individuals who have been victims of racial profiling by airlines, police, and government agencies. Our work also encompasses major initiatives in public education and advocacy, including the creation of essential resources, lobbying for the passage of data collection and anti-profiling legislation, and litigation of airline and highway profiling cases
Both definitions focus on law enforcement and private security firms... The logical question is a homeowner as a member of a neighborhood watch... law enforcement?
QuoteRacial profiling is law enforcement and private security practices
and
QuoteRacial profiling is the use of an individual's race or ethnicity by law enforcement personnel
Quote from: BridgeTroll on July 15, 2013, 06:01:15 PM
Both definitions focus on law enforcement and private security firms... The logical question is a homeowner as a member of a neighborhood watch... law enforcement?
QuoteRacial profiling is law enforcement and private security practices
and
QuoteRacial profiling is the use of an individual's race or ethnicity by law enforcement personnel
To my view they are not. That would make anyone who is part of a neighborhood watch group an official of some sort, which of course they are not.
Quote from: Cheshire Cat on July 15, 2013, 07:08:52 PM
Quote from: BridgeTroll on July 15, 2013, 06:01:15 PM
Both definitions focus on law enforcement and private security firms... The logical question is a homeowner as a member of a neighborhood watch... law enforcement?
QuoteRacial profiling is law enforcement and private security practices
and
QuoteRacial profiling is the use of an individual's race or ethnicity by law enforcement personnel
To my view they are not. That would make anyone who is part of a neighborhood watch group an official of some sort, which of course they are not.
Then by definition Mr Zimmerman could not have
profiled Mr Martin?
According to Angela Corey, Zimmerman did not profile Trayvon because of his race, but profiled him as a "criminal". If so that is offender profiling and to my understanding that can only be used by authorities. Zimmerman was not paid and not part of an authority. Just a guy who was part of a neighborhood watch group.
You can view her words regarding this on the link below. It's a video.
http://news.yahoo.com/video/angela-corey-prosecutors-speak-george-033320376.html
Soooo... if Zimmerman is...
Quotenot paid and not part of an authority
Then by the definitions we have to date... he cannot profile.
I suppose he can pre judge... or stereotype... or _________ .
But he cannot profile... as he is not a member of law enforcement or a private security force. He is a homeowner and neighborhood watch guy...
I believe the use of "racial profiling" is now spreading outside of law enforcement. It is actually stated as a mitigating factor in a lawsuit against WalMart for employee relations, and nowhere is any law enforcement exist in that situation, yet it is a legal standing for the case, at least in the claims of the defendants.
As for profiling, well lets say judging, so as for judging him as a 'criminal', did his darker skin have anything to do with that?
Quote from: JayBird on July 15, 2013, 07:40:36 PM
I believe the use of "racial profiling" is now spreading outside of law enforcement. It is actually stated as a mitigating factor in a lawsuit against WalMart for employee relations, and nowhere is any law enforcement exist in that situation, yet it is a legal standing for the case, at least in the claims of the defendants.
As for profiling, well lets say judging, so as for judging him as a 'criminal', did his darker skin have anything to do with that?
He was likely "more suspicious" for young black men... as the community had seen some of them committing crimes...
http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2012/03/28/zimmerman-s-twin-lakes-community-was-on-edge-before-trayvon-shooting.html
QuoteConversations with several residents, however, suggest that Zimmerman's calls reflect a wider feeling of concern and distrust in the community. For years, Twin Lakes residents had been on edge—demonstrated by their decision last September to start a neighborhood-watch organization, which was initiated by Zimmerman himself. The burglary of Olivia Bertalan's home was just one of at least eight reported over the previous 14 months—several of which, neighbors said, involved young black men. On Feb. 26, the odds were stacked against Martin: he was a young black man in a neighborhood that was feeling besieged by crime and blaming it—fairly or not—on people who looked like him.
Hmmmm.... lets see cops are racist for profiling young black men. They must be racist.
If they were racist how come they also don't profile old black women? I mean a racist wouldn't just pick a specific gender and age range of blacks? So they are discriminating racists. They just pick on some blacks of a certain age and a certain gender.
And for some reason these racist cops completely ignore Asians and people from India even though a lot of people from India are darker than people of african decent.
Thinking back to my youth in my late teens that cops used to be on my case all the time and I'm white. Maybe they just hate all young males?
It's so confusing to me how this racism works. Maybe someone could explain it better to me.
Quote from: AngryMuffin on July 15, 2013, 11:00:58 PM
Hmmmm.... lets see cops are racist for profiling young black men. They must be racist.
If they were racist how come they also don't profile old black women? I mean a racist wouldn't just pick a specific gender and age range of blacks? So they are discriminating racists. They just pick on some blacks of a certain age and a certain gender.
And for some reason these racist cops completely ignore Asians and people from India even though a lot of people from India are darker than people of african decent.
Thinking back to my youth in my late teens that cops used to be on my case all the time and I'm white. Maybe they just hate all young males?
It's so confusing to me how this racism works. Maybe someone could explain it better to me.
I don't think anyone has said anything negative about the police on this thread AM. Just an FYI, I sit on the Sheriffs Criminal Justice Coordinating Committee and have a great respect for police officers. I think what we are trying to fathom out on this thread is exactly what is meant by racial profiling. Perhaps you are referring to offender profiling which is different. You seem to have some anger or judgment behind your posts and it distracts from the conversation. Do you think people are profiled for their race or more by the standards of offender profiling? If you respond please do so with consideration and not accusation and not directed toward a commentary that is not taking place. Reasonable conversation is welcome.
In the Zimmerman case... we can reasonably assume... as a neighborhood watch... that he was "on the lookout" for young black males... specifically because young black males had been implicated in recent burglaries and thefts around the complex...
In a recent "crime spree" here in Jacksonville a black male was suspected of robbing a CVS and murdering an employee of a restaurant.
I am certain the police concentrated or were hyper vigilant regarding black males in the vicinity. I think it would have been a distinct probability that some innocent black males were eyed with suspicion and even stopped and questioned.
My guess is that this is NOT considered "profiling" as the police were looking for a specific "unknown black male". It may be that this distinction may not hold much water for those innocent black males who were stopped and questioned.
^A history and description of Zimmerman's 46 calls to 911 since 2004.
http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2012/03/22/george-zimmerman-s-history-of-911-calls-a-complete-log.html
Quote from: thelakelander on July 16, 2013, 08:37:31 AM
^A history and description of Zimmerman's 46 calls to 911 since 2004.
http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2012/03/22/george-zimmerman-s-history-of-911-calls-a-complete-log.html
Another article by Daily Beast putting those calls into context...
http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2012/03/28/zimmerman-s-twin-lakes-community-was-on-edge-before-trayvon-shooting.html
Thanks for posting Ennis I had only heard about the numerous calls not the actual details and in the trial they didn't spend any time on it. The list actually seems common for most nosy neighbor busybody types. I was surprised that only in 6 did he make reference to actual race, based on the convos I had thought it was the center of his aggression. Would've been nice if they printed what the disposition of those calls were.
Profiling is a strategy and it works. It's not racist it s a law enforcement tool. Rich white people commit most of the white collar crime so audit them more. Young black males committ most of the violent crime so scrutinize that more. Muslims committ most of the terrorism in the US these days so look at them more for that. The list goes on. The numbers prove the point. If some group of people based on race, gender, age or whatever disproportionatly committ certain types of crimes then its smart to look for that more closely. God gave us brains to use them. But it's not just race its also class, appearance, associates and a lots of other things that go into a smart profile.
Quote from: John P on July 16, 2013, 09:34:55 AM
Profiling is a strategy and it works. It's not racist it s a law enforcement tool. Rich white people commit most of the white collar crime so audit them more. Young black males committ most of the violent crime so scrutinize that more. Muslims committ most of the terrorism in the US these days so look at them more for that. The list goes on. The numbers prove the point. If some group of people based on race, gender, age or whatever disproportionatly committ certain types of crimes then its smart to look for that more closely. God gave us brains to use them. But it's not just race its also class, appearance, associates and a lots of other things that go into a smart profile.
So you say a smart profile uses a combination of factors to determine someone's propensity to commit a crime yet you use race to make your point? I think you're confused.
Also, do the numbers say that because it is true or because human nature over time has fallen victim to ancient stereotypes and made those numbers true? One thing to be cautious of, profiling is a generality. It cannot truly be proven as scientific fact because how do you know that those you weren't watching didn't commit a crime? With no absolute your answer will always have an unknown factor.
I wonder if Boston PD had the same profiling mentality as you before the marathon.
"Profiling" is both legal and desirable as a tool in law enforcement. Profiling using race alone is not effective and would subject Officers to legal and administrative sanction. Officers will use a great number of factors in determining "reasonable suspicion". Race might be one of many, but should never be used alone or even as only one of a few factors.
For example, if one is looking for a robbery suspect, what factors would you look for on a stakeout? Does race matter in this case? Only if there is a rash of robberies committed by a described perpetrator. All races commit robbery. An Officer would be more interested in other common attributes of robbers such as concealment of features, baggy or loose fit clothing to conceal a weapon, suspicious activity such as waiting for other customers to leave, etc.
So "profiling" = OK, but "racial profiling" - NOT OK.
As part of the overall discussion or debate surrounding the issue of profiling, I found this opinion piece by Jason Riley in the WSJ this morning an interesting perspective.
I don't like to cut and paste, but so be it...
By JASON L. RILEY
George Zimmerman's acquittal of murder charges in a Florida court has been followed by predictable calls for America to have a "national conversation" about this or that aspect of the case. President Obama wants to talk about gun control. Civil-rights leaders want to talk about racial profiling. Others want to discuss how the American criminal justice system supposedly targets black men.
All of which is fine. Just don't expect these conversations to be especially illuminating or honest. Liberals in general, and the black left in particular, like the idea of talking about racial problems, but in practice they typically ignore the most relevant aspects of any such discussion.
Any candid debate on race and criminality in this country would have to start with the fact that blacks commit an astoundingly disproportionate number of crimes. African-Americans constitute about 13% of the population, yet between 1976 and 2005 blacks committed more than half of all murders in the U.S. The black arrest rate for most offenses—including robbery, aggravated assault and property crimes—is typically two to three times their representation in the population. The U.S. criminal-justice system, which currently is headed by one black man (Attorney General Eric Holder) who reports to another (President Obama), is a reflection of this reality, not its cause.
"High rates of black violence in the late twentieth century are a matter of historical fact, not bigoted imagination," wrote the late Harvard Law professor William Stuntz in "The Collapse of American Criminal Justice." "The trends reached their peak not in the land of Jim Crow but in the more civilized North, and not in the age of segregation but in the decades that saw the rise of civil rights for African Americans—and of African American control of city governments."
The left wants to blame these outcomes on racial animus and "the system," but blacks have long been part of running that system. Black crime and incarceration rates spiked in the 1970s and '80s in cities such as Cleveland, Detroit, Chicago and Philadelphia, under black mayors and black police chiefs. Some of the most violent cities in the U.S. today are run by blacks.
The jury's only job in the Zimmerman trial was to determine whether the defendant broke the law when he shot and killed 17-year-old Trayvon Martin last year in a gated community near Orlando, Fla. In cases of self-defense, it doesn't matter who initiated the confrontation; whether Mr. Zimmerman singled out Martin because he was a black youngster in a neighborhood where there had been a series of burglaries by black youngsters; or whether Mr. Zimmerman disregarded what the police dispatcher told him before he got out of his car. Nor does it matter that Martin was unarmed and minding his own business when Mr. Zimmerman approached.
All that really mattered in that courtroom is whether Mr. Zimmerman reasonably believed that his life was in danger when he pulled the trigger. Critics of the verdict might not like the statutes that allowed for this outcome, but the proper response would not have been for the jury to ignore them and convict.
Did the perception of black criminality play a role in Martin's death? We may never know for certain, but we do know that those negative perceptions of young black men are rooted in hard data on who commits crimes. We also know that young black men will not change how they are perceived until they change how they behave.
The homicide rate claiming black victims today is seven times that of whites, and the George Zimmermans of the world are not the reason. Some 90% of black murder victims are killed by other blacks.
So let's have our discussions, even if the only one that really needs to occur is within the black community. Civil-rights leaders today choose to keep the focus on white racism instead of personal responsibility, but their predecessors knew better.
"Do you know that Negroes are 10 percent of the population of St. Louis and are responsible for 58% of its crimes? We've got to face that. And we've got to do something about our moral standards," Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. told a congregation in 1961. "We know that there are many things wrong in the white world, but there are many things wrong in the black world, too. We can't keep on blaming the white man. There are things we must do for ourselves."
Mr. Riley is a member of the Journal's editorial board.
A version of this article appeared July 16, 2013, on page A15 in the U.S. edition of The Wall Street Journal, with the headline: Race, Politics and the Zimmerman Trial.
Ron, thank you for your willingness to step into this conversation with this post. I was dancing around some of these statistics yesterday on the Black on Black crime thread. I did so gingerly because I know there are many in the Black community that are very much concerned about the issue of Black on Black crime. While I know we can point to things like the psychology behind terms like Black on Black crime I don't think the terminology as a descriptive is inaccurate. I remember a discussion on the CJCC run by the Sheriff where it was determined that one could not use the term "at risk youth" because some didn't like it. The fact is there are at risk youth and they come in all colors. Whatever terms are used to focus on an issue are in my mind not as important as the core of the issue itself.
Those who know me well know that I dearly love people of all colors and have always found the difference in races to be intriguing, exciting, educational and the thing that makes the diverse nature of humanity so wonderful. So I chose my words carefully and hope that they express my deep desire to see positive changes in all of our communities. I am not sitting in judgment of anyone.
The truth of the matter is that because I am so close with many folks who are considered minorities I have been immersed in many of their cultures and views. I do not attempt to speak for any racial group but rather to point to what I have experienced. It has been clear to me that there is an underlying struggle within the Black community that is born of old hurts, concepts about degree of blackness, respect used in addressing members of their own race, (I am talking ni@@er, hoe and the like as well as statements from Black elders and young Black men involved in crime that I have spoken with. Many, many of the young men say they live hard and fast because they don't expect to live past their mid 20's and will probably go to jail anyway. I should also mention that these are usually young men from low income environments. I have also noticed that there is a tendency to view Black on Black crime in the eyes of many communities as something that happens but at the same time people see red when a crime involving a Black victim is perpetrated by a member of another race, particularly Whites.
Part of what I want to say is that there are hold over views in the White community about Blacks but what is equally true and no one dares talk about is that there is also a great deal of racial hatred in the Black community for Whites. When bigotry or hatred is at the heart of any racial interaction on the part of any group it seems that some accept that this is the view of the entire race when it simply is not. Time to get honest folks and speak to the depth's of what is happening in society today that cause a flare up over an interaction between a Black teenager and Hispanic/White to become the emotionally charged hot topic that it is. Zimmerman and Trayvon were two people, neither perfect who had a run in with one another that ended in death. While it is tragic, it is not unique and happens on a daily basis all over our nation.
Time for some deep soul searching by "everyone" as well as a serious trek into the underlying emotions and pains in the Black community and I pray we will see the ideas and thoughts of many of our dear Black brothers and sisters added to this conversation. If we can stem the pain and begin to heal it, I believe the violence will begin to subside. Keep in mind that this will also have to include discussions about economics, education and so much more. It's long past time for this conversation.
Quote from: Cheshire Cat on July 16, 2013, 01:15:41 PM
Ron, thank you for your willingness to step into this conversation with this post. I was dancing around some of these statistics yesterday on the Black on Black crime thread. I did so gingerly because I know there are many in the Black community that are very much concerned about the issue of Black on Black crime. While I know we can point to things like the psychology behind terms like Black on Black crime I don't think the terminology as a descriptive is inaccurate. I remember a discussion on the CJCC run by the Sheriff where it was determined that one could not use the term "at risk youth" because some didn't like it. The fact is there are at risk youth and they come in all colors. Whatever terms are used to focus on an issue are in my mind not as important as the core of the issue itself.
Those who know me well know that I dearly love people of all colors and have always found the difference in races to be intriguing, exciting, educational and the thing that makes the diverse nature of humanity so wonderful. So I chose my words carefully and hope that they express my deep desire to see positive changes in all our our communities. I am not sitting in judgment of anyone.
The truth of the matter is that because I am so close with many folks who are considered minorities I have been immersed in so many of their cultures and views. I do not attempt to speak for any racial group but rather to point to what I have experienced. It has been clear to me that there is an underlying struggle within the Black community that is born of old hurts, concepts about degree of blackness, respect used in addressing members of their own race, (I am talking ni@@er, hoe and the like as well as statements from Black elders and young Black men involved in crime that I have spoken with. Many, may of them say they live hard and fast because they don't expect to live past their mid 20's and will probably go to jail anyway. I should also mention that these are usually young men from low income environments. I have also noticed that there is a tendency to view Black on Black crime in the eyes of many communities but at the same time see red when a crime involving a Black victim is perpetrated by a member of another race, particularly Whites.
Part of what I want to say is that there are hold over views in the White community about Blacks but what is equally true and no one dares talk about is that there is also a great deal of racial hatred in the Black community for Whites. When bigotry or hatred is at the heart of any racial interaction on the part of any group it seems that some accept that this is the view of the entire race when it simply is not. Time to get honest folks and speak to the depth's of what is happening in society today that cause a flare up over an interaction between a Black teenager and Hispanic/White to become the emotionally charged hot topic that it is. Zimmerman and Trayvon were two people, neither perfect who had a run in with one another that ended in death. While it is tragic, it is not unique and happens on a daily basis all over our nation.
Time for some deep soul searching by "everyone" as well as a serious trek into the underlying emotions and pains in the Black community and I pray we will see the ideas and thought of many of our dear Black brothers and sisters added to this conversation. If we can stem the pain and begin to heal it, I believe the violence will begin to subside. Keep in mind that this will also have to include discussions about economics, education and so much more.
CC. Your last sentence is truly what it's all about and it's not just the black community that has this problem?
So have we found that african american or africans are more violent naturally or is it because of our keeping them for labor we were to lazy to do ourselves thats kept that anger and resentment?
No it's not exclusive to one community IILU. But in my view there is undeniably a lot of healing and understanding left to take place between Black's and White's as well as healing beginning from the core of these communities as well.
I think modern realities are mixed with age old sentiments on both sides and it is time to unravel truth from perception. We can't let ourselves be led by the sentiments of bigots in any way. The reality today is that society is moving in support of one another. Just look at the non Blacks who are outraged over Trayvon's death. We need to realize this fact and understand that if the hatred that Blacks perceive is coming from all Whites was true, we would not have Obama in the White House today. Things are shifting but will not completely change until there is an open and ongoing thoughtful dialog.
Quote from: Garden guy on July 16, 2013, 01:33:35 PM
So have we found that african american or africans are more violent naturally or is it because of our keeping them for labor we were to lazy to do ourselves thats kept that anger and resentment?
No GG Blacks are not at their hearts more violent so lets get rid of that idea right now. Blacks in America have been on the receiving end of indescribable repression and exploitation in the past. In my view that is likely what is at the heart of today's hurts. What I think we all must realize, Blacks and non Blacks is that we can't carry the past forward, nor can we undo it. We must grow past it in a positive way and heal.
Quote from: Cheshire Cat on July 16, 2013, 01:38:45 PM
No it's not exclusive to one community IILU. But in my view there is undeniably a lot of healing and understanding left to take place between Black's and White's as well as healing beginning from the core of these communities as well.
I think modern realities are mixed with age old sentiments on both sides and it is time to unravel truth from perception. We can't let ourselves be led by the sentiments of bigots in any way. The reality today is that society is moving in support of one another. Just look at the non Blacks who are outraged over Trayvon's death. We need to realize this fact and understand that if the hatred that Blacks perceive is coming from all Whites was true, we would not have Obama in the White House today. Things are shifting but will not completely change until there is an open and ongoing thoughtful dialog.
I agree Diane, and though it is incredibly slow it truly is shifting. I can look at my own family and see the generational change between attitudes about race. It is not something that happens overnight. It takes time and more than anything else the ability to continue talking about it. I'm curious as to how many people will think this is an important issue in two weeks time? Or will it be on to the next big drama?
So we just wait until black parents teach their babies to not hate whites? Ive sat at black dinner tables and babies are taught early..as are white babies taught by their mommas and daddies to hate.
Quote from: Garden guy on July 16, 2013, 02:01:42 PM
So we just wait until black parents teach their babies to not hate whites? Ive sat at black dinner tables and babies are taught early..as are white babies taught by their mommas and daddies to hate.
That's an extremely small population that still acts that way in 2013 and there will always be some, we have to have strife on earth somewhere. We don't have to wait much longer, my parents taught me that people are people regardless of skin color and I'm 32, so we're closing in on half a decade of that teaching, 2nd generation if you will.
Quote from: Garden guy on July 16, 2013, 02:01:42 PM
So we just wait until black parents teach their babies to not hate whites? Ive sat at black dinner tables and babies are taught early..as are white babies taught by their mommas and daddies to hate.
There are white who do the same GG as well as numerous other races.
I think when we discuss all of these issues we should see what is in the heart of today's children. Change may not come as fast as we like but it will come.
http://globalgrind.com/news/kids-react-interracial-cheerios-commercial-video
http://www.youtube.com/v/VifdBFp5pnw
Thanks Ennis! :)
Agree! Thanks Ennis. Pretty much proves the attitudes of the past have been and are still changing. We can hope these children keep these attitudes as they mature and pass them along... 8)
Watching my daughter grow up I've seen both sides of this. My white daughter has a very multi-cultural group of about 6 or 7 friends (mostly girls) who have been tight since about second grade. Sleepovers hanging out, the whole works. It was awesome to be a part of. Race never entered their conversations. I had REAL hope. At least until they reached middle school. Now you can just feel the subtle yet very real divisions almost organically grow. They still hang out but there is a new underlying tension that goes unspoken well beyond the "usual" pre-teen competitions for status. I have no doubt that this is from a combination of social pressures and the proverbial "parental talks". For my part I espouse a live and let live philosophy with just a hint of advice about being careful to not offend unintentionally. beyond that it's all neutral. We judge character... period.
It sucks. This is a fantastic group of girls that will no doubt "drift" apart to some degree from factors that have nothing to do with THEIR "inside" relationships. It's all coming from outside pressures. I do not know how to turn this tide. I can only teach her how best to navigate it. It breaks my heart.
Quote from: Steve Ducharme on July 17, 2013, 10:01:30 AM
Watching my daughter grow up I've seen both sides of this. My white daughter has a very multi-cultural group of about 6 or 7 friends (mostly girls) who have been tight since about second grade. Sleepovers hanging out, the whole works. It was awesome to be a part of. Race never entered their conversations. I had REAL hope. At least until they reached middle school. Now you can just feel the subtle yet very real divisions almost organically grow. They still hang out but there is a new underlying tension that goes unspoken well beyond the "usual" pre-teen competitions for status. I have no doubt that this is from a combination of social pressures and the proverbial "parental talks". For my part I espouse a live and let live philosophy with just a hint of advice about being careful to not offend unintentionally. beyond that it's all neutral. We judge character... period.
It sucks. This is a fantastic group of girls that will no doubt "drift" apart to some degree from factors that have nothing to do with THEIR "inside" relationships. It's all coming from outside pressures. I do not know how to turn this tide. I can only teach her how best to navigate it. It breaks my heart.
Good post Steve. Have witnessed the same with my child. The innocence and displayed by the children in the You Tube video is slowly displaced as they grow up and mature. Outside influences, life experience, peer pressure, etc seem to have more influence as time marches on. That said... this generation of children will be better equipped in the racial arena than previous generations...
I profile young men primarily who come into my neighborhood who look like they do not belong. Not necessarily black, but I understand that crimes of opportunity primarily, are created by young men mostly though some young women are involved. If young people who do not live in my neighborhood come through, I do keep an eye on them. Wrongly or rightly. Are they wearing hoodies? no. Do they look different in dress than young people who live here, well, primarily their clothes are less expensive but not always. It is an attitude, kind of. But part of it is that I remember what I was like and what some of the hoods of my generation were like, so I look for that. I don't think peoples outward behavior changes too much between generations. Race is not the operative issue in this profiling as this neighborhood is diverse.