Racial Profiling is preventing African Americans from receiving their full college experience (socially and academically). Racial Profiling creates stigmas. It also expands existing stigmas. It serves as reasons to why some police are bias in some situations, causing them to come up with rather inappropriate solutions. It also opens doors for others that are actually committing crimes to be ignored until after the fact. How can strategies be developed to address the issues? Organize, Strategize, than Address!
Great points Ariain, I would like to add that racial profiling is one area where" an ounce of prevention equals A pound of cure" does not hold true, and can actually be counter productive. unless we look at the profiling as more of a pound of prevention as opposed to an ounce. Sure we need a level of proactiveness on the part of law enforcement, but to the extent that it is becoming harassment is unneccesary. I do think that on some level the police and other "powers that be" for lack of a better term, purposely pit college students against "townies" by creating an unspoken class system where students are held up in higher esteem than there non student counterparts. As far as solutions. I think Ariain said it very well, we need to be heard and seen in numbers. the more of us there are the more we will be taken seriously. I think going into the schools is a great idea I think it would be effective to meet the young people "on there own turf" where they are most comfortable and can focus on our message rather that being possibly intimidated. I think we also need to be present at the city council meetings and voice our issues. i think that would go along way in beginning to heal a fragmented relationships between Townfolk and campus folk. Since we are having similar issues with the same police dept it only makes sense to stand with them on some level to affect change. I also have this crazy idea of having a presence at these parties,events and places where profiling is mostly occuring. This SOBER presence would serve 2 purposes, one to seek out those who are actively showing disdain for possible harrassment occuring at the time and inviting them to stand with us at,forums,meetings etc. this could be in the form of a 1/4 page flier... Also the Sober presence is there to document, so that we have a objective viewer collecting the time,place and what is happening.... I know a crazy idea right....just had to share.
Racially profiling is effecting us because as one young lady said in class that it feels like we are being haunted like animals. It goes back to history a long time ago when blacks were slave and was forced to work for plantation owners and when act against those order was whipped, lynched etc. Now days African American can go to clubs for an example but at the same time being watch from a distance by law officials because we act out like animals. I think that we could definitely go into the school around town because as we are post generation to the elderly now, the children behind us are who we will need to depend on and talk to them about violence and how to resolve instead of dissolved each other. Another Strategy is to have a big brother sister mentor programs that will have children look up to the mentor because their are some children without anyone to look up to, so that individual might change that person life.
Airian basically summed it up with explaining how racial profiling is impacting african american students. Based on many given in class its just ridiculous how most african americns are all placed in the same catagory and all seen to be violent and partake in these ignorant activities, and i think the only reason that is is due to the fact that African Americans along with a few other ethnic groups are a minority. Due to the fact that there are a small amout, a few people can mess it up for everyone. And to be honest no matter what you "talk about and plan to do" thing are not going to change until people start to do better. I was at high dive just like everyone else this past weeked and saw multiple fights start during and after the club let out. Afterwards i went to the kappa party and on the next block a bar let out and it was a majority, well basically all white people so while we were all standing outside the Kappa house the white people walk past and they were friendly as hell nobody arguin or nothin. And for no reason you have (and not to make this sound bad) but you are always gonna have a group of black people tryna start problems. So we got the angry black group trying to fight the lil happy white people for no apparent reason. And no not all African Americans do this but until we can all come together and stop all the violence, drama, and bull shit nothing is ever going to change. The way police and other races profile wont change until as a group we change.
I agree with all of the comments that Airian said. I do not want to just repeat what was said but i do agree. In my opinion there is nothing that can really be done about the racial profiling here on campus. Yes select groups of black people could stop acting out towards other races like the kappa house issue, but until the people of those prospective groups want to change their bias opinions there is nothing that we can do to make them change. With that said i do not want all of you to think i'm saying the blacks on campus are justified in their actions because they are not. I believe both groups have growing to do and as blacks on campus we can do nothing but show those groups that profile us that there is a SELECT group those choose to act within those stereotypes and not all of us.
Okay first off I must say this, since the university approached Dr. Pattterson and his colleague that spoke with us in the last class(my apologizes I cannot recall his name). We must first realize that the university does not genuinely care about the racial profiling problem the African-Americans are facing. The university is merely concerned with the potential problem they will face if the situations persist. As pointed on in class, if the crimes persist the university's reputation will decrease likely causing a decrease in the number of attendees to the university. That directly impacts the university's finances because if less parents are sending their children here because of the heighten crime the less funds that are being collected. Now I do not have a solution to the crimes and racial profiling on campus, however whatever solution that is implemented I feel as though we, as in the African-American community, must be the ones to head this project and not the imperceptive university "big wigs."
I really don't agree with the statement that racial profiling is what is preventing African American's from fullfilling their educations. I believe the thing that is stopping African Americans along with Latinos is the lack of motivation and just not wanting to continue on with their education.It's a personal choice that they decide to make and you cannot balme anything or anyone else for that but themselves. I also believe that racial profiling really only happens with African American's and Latino's because we are the minorities. People tend to think that we are the bad people who are going around corrupting their perfect towns, just because we are different from them. I thikn that police tend to pay more attention and keep a close eye on the minorities because maybe of situations, problems, and fights in the past and also a major problem is the whole migration deal. It's like as if one person of a minority group does something bad, that reputation stays that way for the entire minority group. So if African American's or Latino's were to do something horrible as in maybe kill someone, the rest of the world will catergorize as both those minorities as bad people and not treat them equal. In their eyes no good person could come out of any minoirity group.
In reference to Alyssa, yes lack of motivation might be the reason for African Americans and Latinos not fulfilling their educations, but What is causing the lack of motivation? The answer to that question is the real problem. Identifying the problem "incorrectly" leads to forming "incorrect" solutions. Yes, people are entitled to their own opinions, and "free" to make decisions. But many of our generations ideas are formed by the media. So Why not target the outside issues (universalistic situations) instead of victim blaming (exceptionalistic situation holding individual responsible), so we can find a more suitable solution that actually eliminates the problem.
As far as Racial profiling affects on academics, fear is instilled. Some may fear dressing comfortably for class because they may be mistaken for the last crime alert suspect, or just simply PROFILED. #stress #worry #uncomfortable .... #academic problems ... Doesn't sound like an individual problem to me.
Airian summed up things perfectly; I couldn't agree more. Whenever I go to parties, I know the police is going to be posted somewhere close to "our" events, and I anticipate the police shutting down the party in a improper manner. What I mean by improper are the mase incidences that have been occuring lately. I was at High Dive both times that mase was administered, one time mase was sprayed outside the building, and the other time mase was sprayed inside the building. I understood mase being sprayed outside to diffuse the fight between about 10 guys; however, police mased people for no reason and blocked the streets off. Girls and guys were leaving out the club with their hands up saying they were just trying to get to their car, but police mased them directly in the face anyway, knowing they had nothing to do with the incidence. Also one guy was passed out on the ground in the middle of the street and his friend picked him up while telling the police he wanted to get him out the street. Police ran over to the guy carrying his friend and mased the young man as he walked out the street to the sidewalk. The police continued to mase him until he dropped his friend and fell to the ground. Then the police put his knee in the guy back and hit him telling him don't move and shut up. Then the police had another guy face to the curb of the sidewalk with his knee in his back...INSANE!!! Police were telling people to go home but everybody who had cars couldn't leave and we had to endure the mase also that got into our cars because they blocked the streets off. After the police were out of mase,and I actually saw them throw down the empty cans as I was coughing my butt off, they finally moved their cars. Everybody in the car with me were gasping for air and I had the driver to pull over because I had to throw up from all that mase. Then the whole incidence with mase being administered inside the club is a NO NO. An officer was pushed and started masing people inside the club, which was stupid. YOU ARE A POLICE OFFICER, that is the only way you could defend yourself by hurting others. I am really against spraying mase in a closed area because my sister died because the after effect of mase being sprayed in Club E2. How come the police are waiting at "our" parties before and after people are coming and going and not at the white clubs also#RACIAL PROFILING...How come I see white people sloppy drunk on green street, but all the officers are at IHOP and Colonial Pantry with blacks#RACIAL PROFILING... I understand that a lot of blacks do cause drama at the parties and the various spots that they hang out at, but whites also be fighting and getting sloppy drunk, but the police only bother us#RACIAL PROFILING...I just want the treatment to be equal, if you gone post up at the black events, post up at the white events also, if you gone be masing blacks all willy nilly do the same with whites... I can go on and on with all the Racial Profiling I have witnessed, but Ill stop. I don't have a clue what can be done to end this Racial Profiling. I have seen people try to fight back with words and actions in my time and in the past and they have came up dead or situations changed at that moment but went back to the way things were. In the projects I grew up in, people who knew their rights and took a lot of the Racial Profiling incidences going on in our neighborhoods to higher authorities are no longer with us. So when it comes to this problem I draw a blank.
agree with a lot of points Arian expressed, especially when she stated, "Doesn't sound like an individual problem to me." I’m not certain about all the racial profiling on campus because I'm usually in doors, but I was present for the High Dive incident. My friend convinced me that the masing incident at High Dive had nothing to do with race because the situation could have ended in death and the situation was diffused by the police officers using mase. After reading Chantell’s blog, it is evident that there was not only racial profiling, but also hate. For the police officer to tell someone “Don’t move an shut up” shows that, that police officer was way out of line and should be reprimanded by his superior or there should be some disciplinary action made so the police will know they cannot get away with treating people this way. I also agree with Chantell that mase should not be sprayed in such a closed area like High Dive. If there was a need to get everyone’s attention in the party, the police could’ve gotten a bullhorn and gave everyone a fair chance to get out of the situation that inevitably ended in many people being harmed and leaving us with an experience that may last a lifetime. My solution to the racial profiling on campus is not one that will completely stop the racial profiling at the drop of a dime, but rather give the black people a voice on campus to speak about the way we will tolerate being treated by the police, the changes we want and what we will not tolerate. First, I have noticed that we (the black students on campus) all have a united idea that ‘there is a problem on campus that is affecting our college experience.’ As we all agreed with this statement, that is as far as the clarity goes for the many discussions I have been a part of that were seeking solutions for the problems black people face on campus. WE NEED ORDER PEOPLE! Second, stop talking about it and be about it. Be the change you want. My friend has an organization called Dunamis Women Empowerment. One of the main goals for this organization is to bring unity between the women on this campus, so there can be less tension, more clarity, and a reliable support system for whomever wants or needss one. My other friend has an organization called The Progressive Male Union. One of his main goals is to reach out to all males on campus and provide a reliable support system that will keep young men on the right track towards completing their college education. (Their emails are located at the bottom of this post) Last… if we (the black student population and whomever else is down for the cause) come together to learn our rights on this campus, how the system works, and agree on the changes we need to see on this campus… We will be successful!
Diara Bradley: Dunamis Women Empowerment- bradley8@illinois.edu
Tristan Banks: The Progressive Male Union-tjbanks2@illinois.edu
Racial profiling, in my opinion, is the most racially relevant issue on this campus. It happens in every large lecture hall, and every small class room. We are constantly asked to speak for our race, causing us to feel uncomfortable. This in return denies us to reach our peak learning capability. The question then becomes how do we move forward. I believe we simply need to speak up. We need to voice our feelings on this and every other issue. The Civil Rights Generation protested as a unified people. The made sure that the government knew their demands. We have grown quiet, scared. We have become a weak and timid people. If we want things to change we need to SHOUT OUT our feeling as a unified and determined people.
The students above make great points especially Arian, as she highlights how racial profiling affects African American students by holding them back in several different ways. I believe that that can be the case but doesn't particularly hold anyone back especially if the individual wants to for example finish their academic career they can still succeed even if they are a victim of racial profiling its just and obstacle that could possible slow them down but it doesn't have to hold them back. I myself have not been in such a situation on campus so I cant speak from experience even though I hear about instances like 'Highdive' and other black parties especially Crce. That may give our African American community on campus a stigma because it makes it seem like the police always have to "Tame" us like were animals! This makes other communities on view the African Americans on campus negatively with stereotypical thoughts such as the one I stated.I believe that it is never justified the way African American students are treated here, even though sometimes it is not the Uiuc students, but there is truly no way of telling, as much as some of us like to push the blame to others. I believe the incident t Highdive was not justified because the student that had pushed the officer, they already got him why did they need to mase everyone in there?!? No one else had put their hands on that officer! This is all unjust, and when fights breakout outside of Crce when do the police have to shut down the party going on in the inside, when there are no conflicts uprising in there?!? This is all unjustified to me!! These are all examples of racial profiling. What need to happen to solve this I'm not really sure, because those that can abuse their power towards a group of individuals that they don't care too much for will! But for better solutions, there needs to be strategies to organize chaos in a safe non violent manner!
The impact of racial profiling of African Americans on campus is more of a long term impact. It’s one that we will feel later down in line; right now it’s individual but eventually it will become a problem for the whole race. It’s impacting our day to day lives but it’s going to eventually affect our futures. In order for this problem to be resolved we as African Americans really need to come together and get ourselves in check THEN go to the board or dean and show them results and improvements. We can’t go to the board saying that these actions are unjust when they have tangible evidence that say “WE” are doing it. We can say that their always assuming it “US” but most of the time it is. I feel like if we correct our attitude as a whole we’ll correct this problem.
Racial profiling on this campus towards African Americans impacts daily life. Just going out and having to be cautious of every move made in hopes of preventing problems or avoiding the police can be exhausting. This develops a hatred or a dislike towards the law enforcers. When there's conflicts between the two, it makes it harder for one to respect the other which causes even more problems. Proving them wrong is a step in the right direction to help fix this issue.
Racial profile sets limits to the black community just as Airian said. When we continuously feel we're being watched or expected to fail, a certain level of stress builds up. No one wants to be perceived as a criminal simply because of how they dress or the color of their skin. I feel that to gain some sort of understanding with the police or other authorities we have to address them, just as Dr. Patterson said. The only way we can move towards some level of equality is to speak on the issue.
I believe racial profiling is creating a drift between African American students on campus and other fellow members of the black community in general. (Reason why the black community is not as strong as it could be) With students receiving certain perceptions by law enforcements and the community, it forces students to make a solid effort to distinguish themselves from those who are creating such perceptions. As for strategies to solve this issue, all I can say is "Educate". A great quote states "Education is the only way to emancipate yourself from mental slavery". Therefore, If we can educate our people on the proper way to act and decease form the actions leading to racial profiling for our people, the issues we face will slowly but surely begin to decrease.
This is very interesting for a number of reasons. Yes we are talking about racial profiling but ask yourself a question…how many of you all are actually thinking of a solution to this problem? Out of the post I have read so far I have only seen 3 people actually think of some kind of strategy on how maybe we can get a grasp on racial profiling here at the University. And to be perfectly honest with all of you, no matter how many solution we come up with as a class to racial profiling here on this campus and as off campus; the issue will forever remain at-large because some have come to realize that the University just don’t care about this is. (I know it sucks but it is very true.) We also have to realize that this has been an on-going problem for a long time.
Airian: I truly don’t believe that racial profiling is preventing African Americans from receiving their full college experience academically or socially. Most people would like to feel safe and secure in the classroom and at parties but the reality of this statement is there is no true way to know every time you are in the classroom or at a party you will be safe. I.E: Columbine, Virginia Tech, Northern University, E2, Dolton Expo, Markham Field House, High Dive, CO’s or CRCE.
Chantell: I complete understand your frustration as you have witness this first hand like many of us have but on several different occasion. After seeing all of this, did you report this problem? Did you seek out help from community activist, friends, professor, administrators or any other source? Your voice needs to be heard on this issues Chantell there are people willing to help only if you are willing to step up to the plate and take the lead!
LaTina: I love these organizations that you brought up. You should talk to Dr. Patterson about having them come to class to talk about some of the issues they handle and deal with on a daily. The Progressive Male Union and Dunamis Women Empowerment.
Here are some solutions: • Knowledge is power, training and workshops for students, teachers, and administrators; as well as the police. • Starting some sort of organization that is present at all parties for black and minorities on campus, so when these issues arise there is a mediator to help the students and the policies figure out the safest way to handle the situation. • Surveying campus climate more often so that administration stays abreast. As most would like to focus on mainly blacks and minorities as a people we have to realize we are not the only target of racial profiling no matter how heavy this problem may seem. • Being present when the issues are talked about i.e. CBSU meeting, Bruce D. Nesbitt meeting, City Council meeting, C-U Citizen meeting and the listen goes on and on. You can’t have a voice without being present. • Using our class Black Leadership Development; the strength is in the numbers and we have the numbers, the knowledge, the power, the resources and our voices to get the job done. To start a movement and feel the impact our class can have right here on the campus.
I think racial profiling is an issue period. But as far as it being practiced at this university, I believe it certainly affects African-American students. Not even looking at racial profiling from a law perspective, but from regular interaction amongst students. There have been countless times where I’ve had awkward glances or stares. Unless I have an ailment that I’m unaware of, I’m pretty sure it was because of the complexion of my skin. My first year attending the U of I, I was even called a nigger by a group of Caucasian males. Now the question is what can be done to stop racial profiling? I honestly think that this question is too large for one individual to handle alone. It’s basically like asking “how can we end racism?” But I digress. The fact of the matter is, the only way an issue can be addressed is if it is brought to the attention of the masses. Communication.
I believe Racial Profiling is limiting the diverse experiences on campus. Upon reaching the Illinois campus, I personally had goals and aspirations of developing myself by interact with people of different backgrounds. It is completely necessary to enter college open-minded in order for this to happen, however, it is sometimes actions of other races that limit the interactions. Having chosen to live at Illini Tower my freshman year, I experienced this racial profiling due to some individuals being so close-minded. I attempted to reach out to others in day to day conversations on the elevators or in passing and some people tended to try to ignore you simply because of race. However, I must say that I definitely established some good friends in IT that I probably wouldn't have the opportunity to, had I not lived there but it doesn't take away from the differences that keep us away. I agree with Donno, communication is key because without communication it is difficult to settle any differences. However, I believe time is the ultimate changer. With continuous outreach from both ends to form friendship bonds, overtime others will begin to interact amongst one another. You must be the catalyst for change and lead by example.
Arian does a nice job of summing up racial profiling. I also liked how Nicole said that one bad person can ruin it for the rest of us. I believe that is so true. We are not all the same but for some reason we all just automatically get catagorized into the same group of being a violent people. I think we could fix this issue if we each take innitiative and speak to those outside our race and show them that we are not all the same. If we expand our network of friends, it will get noticed and it will make a change in peoples ideas.
Racial profiling is an issue that can affect minority students for a litany of reasons. One, it invokes unnecessary fear and anxiety towards certain authority figures. Second, it can be psychologically harmful to students who may not come from an environment where they are used to dealing with being profiled. In order to help combat these issues, I feel that there should be a two prong solution, one for each side. Authorities should enact legislation that forces officers to have a more distinct basis for what they question and stop people for. On the side of the victims we should teach the youth proper etiquette towards police officers and confidence building to combat the possible psychological damages.
i think racial profiling affects student interaction more than anything on this campus, little things like the way people look at you when you get on the bus or when your walking somewhere at night the feeling you get that your being looked at with fear is not settling. Even more so the way different studnets talk to you upon first meeting is different, instead of a happy welcoming encounter its more a "what do you want" type of vybe i (personally) get from students of different races. as far as solutions go i dont know if there is a solution big enough for us to change the perception's of thousands
I, like many other people who wrote before me, agree with what Airian said. I believe she summed it all up as far as the problems. Now as far as solutions we need to realize that our voice matters. We can exact great change if we are able to come together. On top of that we people willing to spearhead the process, because people like to follow. Once something is already set up getting a signature on a petition is no problem. As far as actual solutions I like Mike's idea of a two prong solution. One prong addressing the authority figure, and another addressing the victims.
To be quite honest, and not to disrespect anyone else's personal opinion, I'm not so quick to say that racial profiling is really impacting the African-American student life on campus. I do believe that racial profiling does exist but to some extent. Out here on campus, people complain about being pulled over and questioned just because the police felt they fit the description of a Crime Alert. To some extent, I do understand that it could be quite upsetting to be questioned about a situation that you had no part in, but think about it, it wouldn't be no different to pulling over a white person that fits the description of a Crime Alert. I just believe that every situation shouldn't be complained about seeing how, if you done nothing wrong, you have nothing to worry about. I hate to be the one to say it but if the Black community wants to experience a "change" in the case of supposed Racial profiling, how about we stop doing stupid things in the first place. If we stop receiving these damn emails about the suspect or suspects being described as Black, then we probably have a highly reduced amount of racial profiling. I don't expect for much to change simply because too many people constantly partake in stupid stuff, to help us prove the point that the African-American community is being basically picked on.
@Art i want to disagree on one point... Just because you are innocent does not mean you have nothing to worry about. There are plenty of innocent people serving time. Secondly I think it is important that we do not do what we are accusing others of doing as far as racial profiling. We can not punish a whole race of people based on the actions of some. I say that to say that, we want to be careful to stay reasonable and not let our sensitivities override our sensibilities. Not all instances of police interaction are cases of racial profiling. We need to have our facts straight or we run the risk of sounding paranoid and irrational and thus losing the credibility of our arguement which as a whole have merit.
However at the same time it is important to realize Like someone else said we are not the only races being profiled on campus... and like I was reminded this weekend " Injustice ANYWHERE is a threat to Justice EVERYWHERE" we can't really fight a a war on Profiling solely on our own behalf...I mean we could but would it not be more effective to rally our Latino peers and anyone or other minorities willing to stand up??? Those unwilling are one thing but on this campus we are not an Island and Numbers bring results!
Also I was watching and reading about the non-violent movement and so much of what we are being profiled as being is a violent people. Always fighting each other and robbing folks... How's about an Old Negro March or Boycott something (not class)or Picket somewhere, complete with signs. These things serve 2 very important functions, It gains attention (public and Media)and we have already established that they don't want attention on this problem,and it makes them know you are serious...
The racial profiling on campus is having a huge effect on blacks on campus. I have only been on campus now for about a month and I have already seen or heard about different incidents. Its really hard for blacks on campus without having to worry about the police harassing them. I think the only real way to address this issue is to start speaking out about it. Once the University sees that this can potentially harm the schools reputation then we will begin to see an effort by the University. The police in Champaign already have these pre conceived notions about black people. Its nothing we can really do if police officers already have a certain mindset.
I've only been on campus for a month, so I haven't personally experienced or seen any major issues with racial profiling, but I'm not saying that it isn't here. There has been constant crime alerts that all seem to have a suspect who was a black male, between the ages 18-25, who was also wearing a hoody. Some may say that's a sterotype, which it may be, but what if a black male is truly committing these crimes? That becomes another problem, because us as a community should try to see why there doing this and how we can stop them. Do they need after school programs or a job?? I think to solve the issue of racial profiling, we must decide which situations we will label as racial profiling.
I myself have been victim to racial profiling. Like most, if not all, it was done so just because (in my opinion) the cops had nothing better to do. My brother was also a victim, and he was arrest in the driveway of our own home! If you are black or of any other minority expect the unexpected when it comes to the law enforcement. They always claim that they are just doing their job, but I beg to differ.
Fortunately I have not experienced this on campus yet, but every time I see a cop car I always keep them in sight until I am out of sight because I never know when they might abuse their power. Like Vick said, the crime alerts have given me even more reasons to be skeptical of those that "serve" and "protect" around me because I may be racially profiled just because of what one black might have done. When one African American does something against the social norm, our entire race is seen in a different light making it hard for us to get along with the people around us (inside the classroom and out) because we are always being viewed as violent and or a threat to others.
Racial profiling is something I feel like I'm a victim of from time to time; however, I don't know if it's just me, but since I don't really pay it attention, it probably occurs more often than I'm aware. Something as simple as our blog posts regarding racial profiling implies that it's obviously imapacting African-American student life on campus. This blog & our discussions are also where strategies to address the isseues are developed. It never ceases to amaze me how often the crime alert descriptions fit me. I happen to believe that the permanent residents of Urbana-Champaign (townies) are more responsible for the crime alerts that lead to racial profiling than African-American students are. It's inevitable that we receive the backlash, though. I've always felt like a university is a place where higher learning takes place with the cooperation of all races and ethnicities. I don't often see the inter-mingling of races, which is something that I'd like to see more of. In order for this to be done, there are steps to be taken that involve more than the majority acting concerned & actually more successfully expressing to outside races our indidvidualities as African-American students.
Racial profiling here at U of I is not a huge issue to me personally. I believe that the profiling pertains more to people who dont attend U of I. I've been pulled over and asked, "So you go to parkland right?" by a police officer who I've never even met before. The police are more worried about black people in the normal communities of Champaign and Urbana and students who attend Parkland. The solutions that I see would be getting the black students on campus to learn about all their rights when being pulled over so as not to give police permission to search your car without probable cause. Also, another resolution is to not take a possible case of profiling so hard to the heart, because at the end of the day people will continue to with their prejudices and ignorances, as long as it does not violate your rights as a citizen.
Racial Profiling is preventing African Americans from receiving their full college experience (socially and academically). Racial Profiling creates stigmas. It also expands existing stigmas. It serves as reasons to why some police are bias in some situations, causing them to come up with rather inappropriate solutions. It also opens doors for others that are actually committing crimes to be ignored until after the fact.
ReplyDeleteHow can strategies be developed to address the issues? Organize, Strategize, than Address!
Great points Ariain, I would like to add that racial profiling is one area where" an ounce of prevention equals A pound of cure" does not hold true, and can actually be counter productive. unless we look at the profiling as more of a pound of prevention as opposed to an ounce. Sure we need a level of proactiveness on the part of law enforcement, but to the extent that it is becoming harassment is unneccesary. I do think that on some level the police and other "powers that be" for lack of a better term, purposely pit college students against "townies" by creating an unspoken class system where students are held up in higher esteem than there non student counterparts. As far as solutions. I think Ariain said it very well, we need to be heard and seen in numbers. the more of us there are the more we will be taken seriously. I think going into the schools is a great idea I think it would be effective to meet the young people "on there own turf" where they are most comfortable and can focus on our message rather that being possibly intimidated. I think we also need to be present at the city council meetings and voice our issues. i think that would go along way in beginning to heal a fragmented relationships between Townfolk and campus folk. Since we are having similar issues with the same police dept it only makes sense to stand with them on some level to affect change. I also have this crazy idea of having a presence at these parties,events and places where profiling is mostly occuring. This SOBER presence would serve 2 purposes, one to seek out those who are actively showing disdain for possible harrassment occuring at the time and inviting them to stand with us at,forums,meetings etc. this could be in the form of a 1/4 page flier... Also the Sober presence is there to document, so that we have a objective viewer collecting the time,place and what is happening.... I know a crazy idea right....just had to share.
ReplyDeleteRacially profiling is effecting us because as one young lady said in class that it feels like we are being haunted like animals. It goes back to history a long time ago when blacks were slave and was forced to work for plantation owners and when act against those order was whipped, lynched etc. Now days African American can go to clubs for an example but at the same time being watch from a distance by law officials because we act out like animals. I think that we could definitely go into the school around town because as we are post generation to the elderly now, the children behind us are who we will need to depend on and talk to them about violence and how to resolve instead of dissolved each other. Another Strategy is to have a big brother sister mentor programs that will have children look up to the mentor because their are some children without anyone to look up to, so that individual might change that person life.
ReplyDeleteAirian basically summed it up with explaining how racial profiling is impacting african american students. Based on many given in class its just ridiculous how most african americns are all placed in the same catagory and all seen to be violent and partake in these ignorant activities, and i think the only reason that is is due to the fact that African Americans along with a few other ethnic groups are a minority. Due to the fact that there are a small amout, a few people can mess it up for everyone. And to be honest no matter what you "talk about and plan to do" thing are not going to change until people start to do better. I was at high dive just like everyone else this past weeked and saw multiple fights start during and after the club let out. Afterwards i went to the kappa party and on the next block a bar let out and it was a majority, well basically all white people so while we were all standing outside the Kappa house the white people walk past and they were friendly as hell nobody arguin or nothin. And for no reason you have (and not to make this sound bad) but you are always gonna have a group of black people tryna start problems. So we got the angry black group trying to fight the lil happy white people for no apparent reason. And no not all African Americans do this but until we can all come together and stop all the violence, drama, and bull shit nothing is ever going to change. The way police and other races profile wont change until as a group we change.
ReplyDeleteI agree with all of the comments that Airian said. I do not want to just repeat what was said but i do agree. In my opinion there is nothing that can really be done about the racial profiling here on campus. Yes select groups of black people could stop acting out towards other races like the kappa house issue, but until the people of those prospective groups want to change their bias opinions there is nothing that we can do to make them change. With that said i do not want all of you to think i'm saying the blacks on campus are justified in their actions because they are not. I believe both groups have growing to do and as blacks on campus we can do nothing but show those groups that profile us that there is a SELECT group those choose to act within those stereotypes and not all of us.
ReplyDeleteOkay first off I must say this, since the university approached Dr. Pattterson and his colleague that spoke with us in the last class(my apologizes I cannot recall his name). We must first realize that the university does not genuinely care about the racial profiling problem the African-Americans are facing. The university is merely concerned with the potential problem they will face if the situations persist. As pointed on in class, if the crimes persist the university's reputation will decrease likely causing a decrease in the number of attendees to the university. That directly impacts the university's finances because if less parents are sending their children here because of the heighten crime the less funds that are being collected. Now I do not have a solution to the crimes and racial profiling on campus, however whatever solution that is implemented I feel as though we, as in the African-American community, must be the ones to head this project and not the imperceptive university "big wigs."
ReplyDeleteI really don't agree with the statement that racial profiling is what is preventing African American's from fullfilling their educations. I believe the thing that is stopping African Americans along with Latinos is the lack of motivation and just not wanting to continue on with their education.It's a personal choice that they decide to make and you cannot balme anything or anyone else for that but themselves. I also believe that racial profiling really only happens with African American's and Latino's because we are the minorities. People tend to think that we are the bad people who are going around corrupting their perfect towns, just because we are different from them. I thikn that police tend to pay more attention and keep a close eye on the minorities because maybe of situations, problems, and fights in the past and also a major problem is the whole migration deal. It's like as if one person of a minority group does something bad, that reputation stays that way for the entire minority group. So if African American's or Latino's were to do something horrible as in maybe kill someone, the rest of the world will catergorize as both those minorities as bad people and not treat them equal. In their eyes no good person could come out of any minoirity group.
ReplyDeleteIn reference to Alyssa, yes lack of motivation might be the reason for African Americans and Latinos not fulfilling their educations, but What is causing the lack of motivation? The answer to that question is the real problem. Identifying the problem "incorrectly" leads to forming "incorrect" solutions. Yes, people are entitled to their own opinions, and "free" to make decisions. But many of our generations ideas are formed by the media. So Why not target the outside issues (universalistic situations) instead of victim blaming (exceptionalistic situation holding individual responsible), so we can find a more suitable solution that actually eliminates the problem.
ReplyDeleteAs far as Racial profiling affects on academics, fear is instilled. Some may fear dressing comfortably for class because they may be mistaken for the last crime alert suspect, or just simply PROFILED. #stress #worry #uncomfortable .... #academic problems ... Doesn't sound like an individual problem to me.
Airian summed up things perfectly; I couldn't agree more. Whenever I go to parties, I know the police is going to be posted somewhere close to "our" events, and I anticipate the police shutting down the party in a improper manner. What I mean by improper are the mase incidences that have been occuring lately. I was at High Dive both times that mase was administered, one time mase was sprayed outside the building, and the other time mase was sprayed inside the building. I understood mase being sprayed outside to diffuse the fight between about 10 guys; however, police mased people for no reason and blocked the streets off. Girls and guys were leaving out the club with their hands up saying they were just trying to get to their car, but police mased them directly in the face anyway, knowing they had nothing to do with the incidence. Also one guy was passed out on the ground in the middle of the street and his friend picked him up while telling the police he wanted to get him out the street. Police ran over to the guy carrying his friend and mased the young man as he walked out the street to the sidewalk. The police continued to mase him until he dropped his friend and fell to the ground. Then the police put his knee in the guy back and hit him telling him don't move and shut up. Then the police had another guy face to the curb of the sidewalk with his knee in his back...INSANE!!! Police were telling people to go home but everybody who had cars couldn't leave and we had to endure the mase also that got into our cars because they blocked the streets off. After the police were out of mase,and I actually saw them throw down the empty cans as I was coughing my butt off, they finally moved their cars. Everybody in the car with me were gasping for air and I had the driver to pull over because I had to throw up from all that mase. Then the whole incidence with mase being administered inside the club is a NO NO. An officer was pushed and started masing people inside the club, which was stupid. YOU ARE A POLICE OFFICER, that is the only way you could defend yourself by hurting others. I am really against spraying mase in a closed area because my sister died because the after effect of mase being sprayed in Club E2.
ReplyDeleteHow come the police are waiting at "our" parties before and after people are coming and going and not at the white clubs also#RACIAL PROFILING...How come I see white people sloppy drunk on green street, but all the officers are at IHOP and Colonial Pantry with blacks#RACIAL PROFILING... I understand that a lot of blacks do cause drama at the parties and the various spots that they hang out at, but whites also be fighting and getting sloppy drunk, but the police only bother us#RACIAL PROFILING...I just want the treatment to be equal, if you gone post up at the black events, post up at the white events also, if you gone be masing blacks all willy nilly do the same with whites...
I can go on and on with all the Racial Profiling I have witnessed, but Ill stop.
I don't have a clue what can be done to end this Racial Profiling. I have seen people try to fight back with words and actions in my time and in the past and they have came up dead or situations changed at that moment but went back to the way things were. In the projects I grew up in, people who knew their rights and took a lot of the Racial Profiling incidences going on in our neighborhoods to higher authorities are no longer with us. So when it comes to this problem I draw a blank.
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ReplyDeleteagree with a lot of points Arian expressed, especially when she stated, "Doesn't sound like an individual problem to me." I’m not certain about all the racial profiling on campus because I'm usually in doors, but I was present for the High Dive incident. My friend convinced me that the masing incident at High Dive had nothing to do with race because the situation could have ended in death and the situation was diffused by the police officers using mase. After reading Chantell’s blog, it is evident that there was not only racial profiling, but also hate.
ReplyDeleteFor the police officer to tell someone “Don’t move an shut up” shows that, that police officer was way out of line and should be reprimanded by his superior or there should be some disciplinary action made so the police will know they cannot get away with treating people this way. I also agree with Chantell that mase should not be sprayed in such a closed area like High Dive. If there was a need to get everyone’s attention in the party, the police could’ve gotten a bullhorn and gave everyone a fair chance to get out of the situation that inevitably ended in many people being harmed and leaving us with an experience that may last a lifetime.
My solution to the racial profiling on campus is not one that will completely stop the racial profiling at the drop of a dime, but rather give the black people a voice on campus to speak about the way we will tolerate being treated by the police, the changes we want and what we will not tolerate. First, I have noticed that we (the black students on campus) all have a united idea that ‘there is a problem on campus that is affecting our college experience.’ As we all agreed with this statement, that is as far as the clarity goes for the many discussions I have been a part of that were seeking solutions for the problems black people face on campus. WE NEED ORDER PEOPLE!
Second, stop talking about it and be about it. Be the change you want. My friend has an organization called Dunamis Women Empowerment. One of the main goals for this organization is to bring unity between the women on this campus, so there can be less tension, more clarity, and a reliable support system for whomever wants or needss one. My other friend has an organization called The Progressive Male Union. One of his main goals is to reach out to all males on campus and provide a reliable support system that will keep young men on the right track towards completing their college education. (Their emails are located at the bottom of this post)
Last… if we (the black student population and whomever else is down for the cause) come together to learn our rights on this campus, how the system works, and agree on the changes we need to see on this campus… We will be successful!
Diara Bradley: Dunamis Women Empowerment- bradley8@illinois.edu
Tristan Banks: The Progressive Male Union-tjbanks2@illinois.edu
Racial profiling, in my opinion, is the most racially relevant issue on this campus. It happens in every large lecture hall, and every small class room. We are constantly asked to speak for our race, causing us to feel uncomfortable. This in return denies us to reach our peak learning capability. The question then becomes how do we move forward. I believe we simply need to speak up. We need to voice our feelings on this and every other issue. The Civil Rights Generation protested as a unified people. The made sure that the government knew their demands. We have grown quiet, scared. We have become a weak and timid people. If we want things to change we need to SHOUT OUT our feeling as a unified and determined people.
ReplyDeleteThe students above make great points especially Arian, as she highlights how racial profiling affects African American students by holding them back in several different ways. I believe that that can be the case but doesn't particularly hold anyone back especially if the individual wants to for example finish their academic career they can still succeed even if they are a victim of racial profiling its just and obstacle that could possible slow them down but it doesn't have to hold them back. I myself have not been in such a situation on campus so I cant speak from experience even though I hear about instances like 'Highdive' and other black parties especially Crce. That may give our African American community on campus a stigma because it makes it seem like the police always have to "Tame" us like were animals! This makes other communities on view the African Americans on campus negatively with stereotypical thoughts such as the one I stated.I believe that it is never justified the way African American students are treated here, even though sometimes it is not the Uiuc students, but there is truly no way of telling, as much as some of us like to push the blame to others. I believe the incident t Highdive was not justified because the student that had pushed the officer, they already got him why did they need to mase everyone in there?!? No one else had put their hands on that officer! This is all unjust, and when fights breakout outside of Crce when do the police have to shut down the party going on in the inside, when there are no conflicts uprising in there?!? This is all unjustified to me!! These are all examples of racial profiling. What need to happen to solve this I'm not really sure, because those that can abuse their power towards a group of individuals that they don't care too much for will! But for better solutions, there needs to be strategies to organize chaos in a safe non violent manner!
ReplyDeleteThe impact of racial profiling of African Americans on campus is more of a long term impact. It’s one that we will feel later down in line; right now it’s individual but eventually it will become a problem for the whole race. It’s impacting our day to day lives but it’s going to eventually affect our futures.
ReplyDeleteIn order for this problem to be resolved we as African Americans really need to come together and get ourselves in check THEN go to the board or dean and show them results and improvements. We can’t go to the board saying that these actions are unjust when they have tangible evidence that say “WE” are doing it. We can say that their always assuming it “US” but most of the time it is. I feel like if we correct our attitude as a whole we’ll correct this problem.
Racial profiling on this campus towards African Americans impacts daily life. Just going out and having to be cautious of every move made in hopes of preventing problems or avoiding the police can be exhausting. This develops a hatred or a dislike towards the law enforcers. When there's conflicts between the two, it makes it harder for one to respect the other which causes even more problems. Proving them wrong is a step in the right direction to help fix this issue.
ReplyDeleteRacial profile sets limits to the black community just as Airian said. When we continuously feel we're being watched or expected to fail, a certain level of stress builds up. No one wants to be perceived as a criminal simply because of how they dress or the color of their skin. I feel that to gain some sort of understanding with the police or other authorities we have to address them, just as Dr. Patterson said. The only way we can move towards some level of equality is to speak on the issue.
ReplyDeleteI believe racial profiling is creating a drift between African American students on campus and other fellow members of the black community in general. (Reason why the black community is not as strong as it could be) With students receiving certain perceptions by law enforcements and the community, it forces students to make a solid effort to distinguish themselves from those who are creating such perceptions. As for strategies to solve this issue, all I can say is "Educate". A great quote states "Education is the only way to emancipate yourself from mental slavery". Therefore, If we can educate our people on the proper way to act and decease form the actions leading to racial profiling for our people, the issues we face will slowly but surely begin to decrease.
ReplyDeleteThis is very interesting for a number of reasons. Yes we are talking about racial profiling but ask yourself a question…how many of you all are actually thinking of a solution to this problem? Out of the post I have read so far I have only seen 3 people actually think of some kind of strategy on how maybe we can get a grasp on racial profiling here at the University. And to be perfectly honest with all of you, no matter how many solution we come up with as a class to racial profiling here on this campus and as off campus; the issue will forever remain at-large because some have come to realize that the University just don’t care about this is. (I know it sucks but it is very true.) We also have to realize that this has been an on-going problem for a long time.
ReplyDeleteAirian: I truly don’t believe that racial profiling is preventing African Americans from receiving their full college experience academically or socially. Most people would like to feel safe and secure in the classroom and at parties but the reality of this statement is there is no true way to know every time you are in the classroom or at a party you will be safe. I.E: Columbine, Virginia Tech, Northern University, E2, Dolton Expo, Markham Field House, High Dive, CO’s or CRCE.
Chantell: I complete understand your frustration as you have witness this first hand like many of us have but on several different occasion. After seeing all of this, did you report this problem? Did you seek out help from community activist, friends, professor, administrators or any other source? Your voice needs to be heard on this issues Chantell there are people willing to help only if you are willing to step up to the plate and take the lead!
LaTina: I love these organizations that you brought up. You should talk to Dr. Patterson about having them come to class to talk about some of the issues they handle and deal with on a daily. The Progressive Male Union and Dunamis Women Empowerment.
Here are some solutions:
• Knowledge is power, training and workshops for students, teachers, and administrators; as well as the police.
• Starting some sort of organization that is present at all parties for black and minorities on campus, so when these issues arise there is a mediator to help the students and the policies figure out the safest way to handle the situation.
• Surveying campus climate more often so that administration stays abreast. As most would like to focus on mainly blacks and minorities as a people we have to realize we are not the only target of racial profiling no matter how heavy this problem may seem.
• Being present when the issues are talked about i.e. CBSU meeting, Bruce D. Nesbitt meeting, City Council meeting, C-U Citizen meeting and the listen goes on and on. You can’t have a voice without being present.
• Using our class Black Leadership Development; the strength is in the numbers and we have the numbers, the knowledge, the power, the resources and our voices to get the job done. To start a movement and feel the impact our class can have right here on the campus.
We can do it we just have to believe we can!
I think racial profiling is an issue period. But as far as it being practiced at this university, I believe it certainly affects African-American students. Not even looking at racial profiling from a law perspective, but from regular interaction amongst students. There have been countless times where I’ve had awkward glances or stares. Unless I have an ailment that I’m unaware of, I’m pretty sure it was because of the complexion of my skin. My first year attending the U of I, I was even called a nigger by a group of Caucasian males. Now the question is what can be done to stop racial profiling? I honestly think that this question is too large for one individual to handle alone. It’s basically like asking “how can we end racism?” But I digress. The fact of the matter is, the only way an issue can be addressed is if it is brought to the attention of the masses. Communication.
ReplyDeleteI believe Racial Profiling is limiting the diverse experiences on campus. Upon reaching the Illinois campus, I personally had goals and aspirations of developing myself by interact with people of different backgrounds. It is completely necessary to enter college open-minded in order for this to happen, however, it is sometimes actions of other races that limit the interactions. Having chosen to live at Illini Tower my freshman year, I experienced this racial profiling due to some individuals being so close-minded. I attempted to reach out to others in day to day conversations on the elevators or in passing and some people tended to try to ignore you simply because of race. However, I must say that I definitely established some good friends in IT that I probably wouldn't have the opportunity to, had I not lived there but it doesn't take away from the differences that keep us away. I agree with Donno, communication is key because without communication it is difficult to settle any differences. However, I believe time is the ultimate changer. With continuous outreach from both ends to form friendship bonds, overtime others will begin to interact amongst one another. You must be the catalyst for change and lead by example.
ReplyDeleteArian does a nice job of summing up racial profiling. I also liked how Nicole said that one bad person can ruin it for the rest of us. I believe that is so true. We are not all the same but for some reason we all just automatically get catagorized into the same group of being a violent people. I think we could fix this issue if we each take innitiative and speak to those outside our race and show them that we are not all the same. If we expand our network of friends, it will get noticed and it will make a change in peoples ideas.
ReplyDeleteRacial profiling is an issue that can affect minority students for a litany of reasons. One, it invokes unnecessary fear and anxiety towards certain authority figures. Second, it can be psychologically harmful to students who may not come from an environment where they are used to dealing with being profiled. In order to help combat these issues, I feel that there should be a two prong solution, one for each side. Authorities should enact legislation that forces officers to have a more distinct basis for what they question and stop people for. On the side of the victims we should teach the youth proper etiquette towards police officers and confidence building to combat the possible psychological damages.
ReplyDeletei think racial profiling affects student interaction more than anything on this campus, little things like the way people look at you when you get on the bus or when your walking somewhere at night the feeling you get that your being looked at with fear is not settling. Even more so the way different studnets talk to you upon first meeting is different, instead of a happy welcoming encounter its more a "what do you want" type of vybe i (personally) get from students of different races. as far as solutions go i dont know if there is a solution big enough for us to change the perception's of thousands
ReplyDeleteI, like many other people who wrote before me, agree with what Airian said. I believe she summed it all up as far as the problems. Now as far as solutions we need to realize that our voice matters. We can exact great change if we are able to come together. On top of that we people willing to spearhead the process, because people like to follow. Once something is already set up getting a signature on a petition is no problem. As far as actual solutions I like Mike's idea of a two prong solution. One prong addressing the authority figure, and another addressing the victims.
ReplyDeleteTo be quite honest, and not to disrespect anyone else's personal opinion, I'm not so quick to say that racial profiling is really impacting the African-American student life on campus. I do believe that racial profiling does exist but to some extent. Out here on campus, people complain about being pulled over and questioned just because the police felt they fit the description of a Crime Alert.
ReplyDeleteTo some extent, I do understand that it could be quite upsetting to be questioned about a situation that you had no part in, but think about it, it wouldn't be no different to pulling over a white person that fits the description of a Crime Alert.
I just believe that every situation shouldn't be complained about seeing how, if you done nothing wrong, you have nothing to worry about.
I hate to be the one to say it but if the Black community wants to experience a "change" in the case of supposed Racial profiling, how about we stop doing stupid things in the first place. If we stop receiving these damn emails about the suspect or suspects being described as Black, then we probably have a highly reduced amount of racial profiling.
I don't expect for much to change simply because too many people constantly partake in stupid stuff, to help us prove the point that the African-American community is being basically picked on.
@Art i want to disagree on one point... Just because you are innocent does not mean you have nothing to worry about. There are plenty of innocent people serving time.
ReplyDeleteSecondly I think it is important that we do not do what we are accusing others of doing as far as racial profiling. We can not punish a whole race of people based on the actions of some. I say that to say that, we want to be careful to stay reasonable and not let our sensitivities override our sensibilities. Not all instances of police interaction are cases of racial profiling. We need to have our facts straight or we run the risk of sounding paranoid and irrational and thus losing the credibility of our arguement which as a whole have merit.
However at the same time it is important to realize Like someone else said we are not the only races being profiled on campus... and like I was reminded this weekend
" Injustice ANYWHERE is a threat to Justice EVERYWHERE" we can't really fight a a war on Profiling solely on our own behalf...I mean we could but would it not be more effective to rally our Latino peers and anyone or other minorities willing to stand up??? Those unwilling are one thing but on this campus we are not an Island and Numbers bring results!
Also I was watching and reading about the non-violent movement and so much of what we are being profiled as being is a violent people. Always fighting each other and robbing folks... How's about an Old Negro March or Boycott something (not class)or Picket somewhere, complete with signs. These things serve 2 very important functions, It gains attention (public and Media)and we have already established that they don't want attention on this problem,and it makes them know you are serious...
This is right in line with the bullshit we are talking about....
ReplyDeletehttp://www.news-gazette.com/news/courts-police-and-fire/2010-09-20/champaign-police-chief-suspects-well-put-end.html
The racial profiling on campus is having a huge effect on blacks on campus. I have only been on campus now for about a month and I have already seen or heard about different incidents. Its really hard for blacks on campus without having to worry about the police harassing them. I think the only real way to address this issue is to start speaking out about it. Once the University sees that this can potentially harm the schools reputation then we will begin to see an effort by the University. The police in Champaign already have these pre conceived notions about black people. Its nothing we can really do if police officers already have a certain mindset.
ReplyDeleteI've only been on campus for a month, so I haven't personally experienced or seen any major issues with racial profiling, but I'm not saying that it isn't here. There has been constant crime alerts that all seem to have a suspect who was a black male, between the ages 18-25, who was also wearing a hoody. Some may say that's a sterotype, which it may be, but what if a black male is truly committing these crimes? That becomes another problem, because us as a community should try to see why there doing this and how we can stop them. Do they need after school programs or a job?? I think to solve the issue of racial profiling, we must decide which situations we will label as racial profiling.
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ReplyDeleteI myself have been victim to racial profiling. Like most, if not all, it was done so just because (in my opinion) the cops had nothing better to do. My brother was also a victim, and he was arrest in the driveway of our own home! If you are black or of any other minority expect the unexpected when it comes to the law enforcement. They always claim that they are just doing their job, but I beg to differ.
ReplyDeleteFortunately I have not experienced this on campus yet, but every time I see a cop car I always keep them in sight until I am out of sight because I never know when they might abuse their power. Like Vick said, the crime alerts have given me even more reasons to be skeptical of those that "serve" and "protect" around me because I may be racially profiled just because of what one black might have done. When one African American does something against the social norm, our entire race is seen in a different light making it hard for us to get along with the people around us (inside the classroom and out) because we are always being viewed as violent and or a threat to others.
Racial profiling is something I feel like I'm a victim of from time to time; however, I don't know if it's just me, but since I don't really pay it attention, it probably occurs more often than I'm aware. Something as simple as our blog posts regarding racial profiling implies that it's obviously imapacting African-American student life on campus. This blog & our discussions are also where strategies to address the isseues are developed. It never ceases to amaze me how often the crime alert descriptions fit me. I happen to believe that the permanent residents of Urbana-Champaign (townies) are more responsible for the crime alerts that lead to racial profiling than African-American students are. It's inevitable that we receive the backlash, though. I've always felt like a university is a place where higher learning takes place with the cooperation of all races and ethnicities. I don't often see the inter-mingling of races, which is something that I'd like to see more of. In order for this to be done, there are steps to be taken that involve more than the majority acting concerned & actually more successfully expressing to outside races our indidvidualities as African-American students.
ReplyDeleteRacial profiling here at U of I is not a huge issue to me personally. I believe that the profiling pertains more to people who dont attend U of I. I've been pulled over and asked, "So you go to parkland right?" by a police officer who I've never even met before. The police are more worried about black people in the normal communities of Champaign and Urbana and students who attend Parkland. The solutions that I see would be getting the black students on campus to learn about all their rights when being pulled over so as not to give police permission to search your car without probable cause. Also, another resolution is to not take a possible case of profiling so hard to the heart, because at the end of the day people will continue to with their prejudices and ignorances, as long as it does not violate your rights as a citizen.
ReplyDelete