Title: Stereotypes - African American Culture
Headings: African American Culture
African American Stereotypes
Content: This is likely due to the fact that blacks are disproportionately targeted for these crimes and more often sent to jail for them. But in reality, studies like the National Comorbidity Survey Replication show that it is actually whites who are more likely than blacks to do drugs (Williams). If that is the case, then why are there more blacks in jail for drug related crimes? The best answer is likely a form of discrimination called racial profiling. Racial profiling is when someone is targeted for suspicion of crime simply because of the color of their skin. One simply needs to search the news to find countless examples of blacks being discriminated in this way and realize it is still a very serious and relevant problem in our society. Not only does racial profiling make it more likely for blacks to get caught and punished for doing drugs than whites, it also feeds the stereotype, leading to more racial profiling and continuing in a vicious cycle. Many blacks (and whites) deal with racial profiling through protests. This year more than 75 people protested in Durham (Alexander) and demonstrations and protests were held in Wichita after a man claimed he was arrested, according to him, for being "black with too much black on" (Wright). The hope is that by creating enough noise through protests, people will recognize racial profiling as a real issue and do something about it.