The problem with your statement is that it's anecdotal evidence and I'm not stating at all that white people can't also face such hardships. It happens, but the issue is that it very much skews against blacks/minorities. On average and simply going by statistics, a person of color is more likely to get stopped by the police or get a much harsher charge for similar crimes in comparison to a white person. Why is this? Is it because dark skin is associated with criminal behavior, therefore a person of color is more likely to be a repeat offender? On average, an employer is more likely to choose a resume with a white sounding name over the black sounding name, all other things being equal.
And an employer is just as easily able to look up the trumped up dismissed charges I've been harassed with and say, "This man has a problem with authority." No doubt they'd go for the person down the line who doesn't have the potential baggage they view I may have. That is their right, to be clear, but it also is unreasonable for charges to be dismissed yet remain on record. This is intentional.
Not that I would agree with dismissing some based solely on their name as I am sure many employers don't either.
Blacks have a history of being subjugated and enslaved in this country. If you think that's easily forgotten by blacks, I'd beg to differ in their defense. Stereotypes dating way back to minstrel shows still exist and black people have been portrayed as big, scary thugs in the media for decades. White is the standard; the default. Of course, your mileage may vary and socioeconomic factors play a role, but you simply can't deny that the War on Drugs has been destroying black/minority families and further exacerbating the issue when it cuts off half of the family's income and children grow up in single-parent homes.
True. Drug laws, especially the Marihuana Tax Act, were rooted in racism. "Black men raping white women and Mexicans smoking grass and going insane." Piss on Anslinger.
The war on drugs is destroying families. Black
and white included. You could mention how the DEA and CIA have gone the approach of using the proverbial "big fish" to catch the "little fish" while letting the supplier off leniently for giving information on the people he sold to. You'd have me in agreement. As you mentioned it is more socioeconomically determined and the "hood" isn't simply filled with blacks. Many
lives are destroyed through these detrimental policies. Don't attempt to minimalize that fact.
This point of view is often lambasted on the 'right' because people on the 'left' don't exactly offer the right solutions, so in turn, it seems that the anger turns into a mentality where conservatives see it in a black/white (figuratively speaking) political nature. Some just shut off their brains and resort to posting articles about how black people must be worse therefore a bane to this country because statistics say they commit more crimes in comparison, despite that being a symptom of deeper issues entrenched in the system. Eventually the debate goes nowhere while one side continuously becomes bitter and harbors more hatred for people of color and the other ignorantly calls everyone a racist because they've become hypersensitive to the talking points of many on the 'right'. Then there's another group of people who just don't want to talk about race at all despite it still being an issue today.
Some here are trolls who post Glenn Beck/Hannity shit all night long. I have no doubt a few stormfronters as well. I suppose I'd fall in the third group. It being an issue is a very clear result of some people pushing it as an issue. (not speaking about you, to be clear) There are racists on both sides using their proverbial podium to spew their bullshit. It still being an issue, and I'll clarify the inner city is where it is the issue, is between the young and old. Those of my age, in the city, could not care less. Of course some won't change.
Now people point out those who've gotten attacked and senseless violence is a problem; people look for excuses. It doesn't matter if you're white, black, or blue. It's not hard to understand. Watch surroundings. People out of place are out of place and be aware.
The police is the only gang to ever rob me. They were culturally diverse though.
On a personal level, there's more tolerance nowadays, definitely. On a federal level, we have a long way to go.
On a federal level we have a long way to go on many things. The war on drugs and disproportionate sentences given to blacks. Mandatory minimum sentences as well, which affect everyone. Asset forfeiture and the militarization of the police force which undoubtedly affects everyone.
The cutting would be more elimination towards many of the pork eating, swine farm, swine farm raiding (ironically) federal pigs.