Race and Racism in The United States

[The Cobalt Sky]

NVM

[The Cobalt Sky]

I hope you're not serious.

I know Mike's not serious,

I'm not so sure that's mike using another nation...

[The Emerald Dawn]

I know Mike's not serious,

I'm not so sure that's mike using another nation...

Nah, MtP is a one nation cat. He's also a real user of the Sahr Chasm.

[The Cobalt Sky]

I'm not so sure that's mike using another nation...

Nah, MtP is a one nation cat. He's also a real user of the Sahr Chasm.

So I guess I'll be arguing with Tayrona now... If he/she returns at all. Seemed a bit like a lazy quick post.

[The United Colonies of Earth]

It is definitely a problem. That's all I have to say for now.

[Mavorpen]

Segregation and slavery were still in place until fairly recently (in terms of generations) and affected huge amounts of people as well as their descendants indirectly. it's not really surprising that those things still have effects today.

On what planet do you live? It can't be this one, because de facto segregation still exists.

[Escasia]

On the "black people are filling up our jails" thing:

Black people are likely to be poorer than white people due to the circumstances which brought many of their families to the United States.

You've still ignored the 20% longer prison sentences for similar crimes.
http://www.wsj.com/articles/SB100014241 ... 3789858002

The average person isn't going to be much richer or poorer than their parents, and most of the African-American population was forced to start at the bottom of the system. Segregation and slavery were still in place until fairly recently (in terms of generations) and affected huge amounts of people as well as their descendants indirectly. it's not really surprising that those things still have effects today.

Still doesn't warrant THAT much of a disparity with how many of us make up the US population and how many of us make up the US prison system population, unless you're operating under the assumption that ALL poor people are criminals.

Poorer people are more likely to commit crime out of desperation, frustration or necessity and more likely to get convicted than richer people because they lack the resources to defend themselves as effectively in court.

Source that. At what rate? To what degree?

Institutional racism compounds the likelihood of black people being convicted for a crime and getting a harsher sentence. It also produces a feeling of resentment among young black people which may also lead to more crime.

Wait, you just admit there's institutional racism, but the point of your argument is to say that it's not actually a big factor?

That's why black people are more likely to end up in jail than white people.

You haven't proven this, and you still clearly didn't read the part about racial profiling done by police.

It's important not to view people in isolation from their circumstances or we end up attributing all sorts of unreasonable things to race/genetics. The problem's systemic, not racial as some would claim.

No. The problem is that the system is racist.

Umm. Did you even read my post properly? We've got the same point of view. I think class ties into it too but institutional racism is also a very large factor.

The 20% longer prison sentences for similar crimes are referred to when I said that institutional racism compounds the already existing socio-economic problem.

You wanted a source? Sure.

"Higher total socioeconomic status (usually measured using the three variables income (or wealth), occupational level, and years of education) correlate with less crime. Longer education is associated with less crime. Higher income/wealth have a somewhat inconsistent correlation with less crime with the exception of self-report illegal drug use for which there is no relation. Higher parental socioeconomic status probably has an inverse relationship with crime.[1]

Somewhat inconsistent evidence indicates that there is a relationship between low income, percentage under the poverty line, few years of education, and high income inequality in an area and more crime in the area.[1]"- from Wikipedia, sourced from Handbook of Crime Correlates. I don't think it's controversial to suggest that poorer people are under more pressure to break the law, rich people can meet their own needs within the law more easily.

You really didn't read my post properly or I'm speaking some other language. The idea that the system is racist is pretty implicit in what I said. Racism and class are the two biggest factors causing the disparity in my opinion. Just because I believe there's more than one factor involved doesn't mean I disagree that systematic racism is involved.

Not to be rude but if you think the main point of my argument was that institutional racism is "not a big factor" then you're very mistaken. I think it is a big factor and thought I made that clear, but so is the socio-economic position of the African American community within the US.

Segregation and slavery were still in place until fairly recently (in terms of generations) and affected huge amounts of people as well as their descendants indirectly. it's not really surprising that those things still have effects today.

On what planet do you live? It can't be this one, because de facto segregation still exists.

I was talking official and open segregation. People often believe that since legal barriers that used to prevent the advancement of black people are officially gone, (if not in practice) there's no excuse for African-Americans not to be economically equal too. I disagree with that and was saying so.

Segregation is still unofficially going on in many forms, that's true. That doesn't disprove what I said about legal barriers in the past affecting African-Americans today. It just adds another problem to the ever-growing list of ways in which black people are systemically held back.

Had to edit this post a lot because I can already imagine people jumping on some tiny wording to accuse me of an opinion I don't actually hold.

[The Cobalt Sky]

You've still ignored the 20% longer prison sentences for similar crimes.
http://www.wsj.com/articles/SB100014241 ... 3789858002

Still doesn't warrant THAT much of a disparity with how many of us make up the US population and how many of us make up the US prison system population, unless you're operating under the assumption that ALL poor people are criminals.

Source that. At what rate? To what degree?

Wait, you just admit there's institutional racism, but the point of your argument is to say that it's not actually a big factor?

You haven't proven this, and you still clearly didn't read the part about racial profiling done by police.

No. The problem is that the system is racist.

Umm. Did you even read my post properly? We've got the same point of view. I think class ties into it too but institutional racism is also a very large factor.

Ah, I got more of a 'institutional racism is a problem, but class is way MORE of a problem' vibe. Sorry about that.

The idea that the system is racist is pretty implicit in what I said.

I didn't think it was too implicit, but sorry about that. I kinda jumped the gun on that one, because if you read through the posts (towards the beginning) you'll see two people advocating for something like apartheid, and a neo-confederate.

Had to edit this post a lot because I can already imagine people jumping on some tiny wording to accuse me of an opinion I don't actually hold.

I thought I read it wrong and I did, but Mavorpen didn't really get you either so maybe it's wording too? I don't know. Either way, sorry! I'll erase my post.

[Escasia]

Ah, I got more of a 'institutional racism is a problem, but class is way MORE of a problem' vibe. Sorry about that.

That's alright, just a misunderstanding. Maybe I worded it oddly or something, no harm done.
I wouldn't say class is more of a problem and I certainly couldn't quantify either class or racism in that way. I have a hunch the two problems are deeply related and better understood alongside one another, (although I admit it's just that, a hunch and not much more) but institutional racism certainly isn't a small (or even moderate) problem by any measure. It's massive.

I didn't think it was too implicit, but sorry about that. I kinda jumped the gun on that one, because if you read through the posts (towards the beginning) you'll see two people advocating for freaking apartheid.

I'll try to be clearer on that next time, then. I see where I should have worded stuff differently and I understand why you'd jump the gun, I've done the same way too many times.

I thought I read it wrong and I did, but Mavorpen didn't really get you either so maybe it's wording too? I don't know. Either way, sorry! I'll erase my post.

Nah don't be sorry, my wording was probably off. No need to erase your post, haha. Was just surprised I got jumped on by someone I'd generally consider to be "on the same side" on this issue.

"The problem's systemic, not racial as some would claim" might have caused some confusion, I can see. I didn't mean the problem's not racial as in it has nothing to do with race, but that criminal tendencies are not inherent to any particular race- I was saying black people aren't inherently, as some sort of natural trait, more likely to disobey laws or commit violence. If a disproportionate amount of law-breakers are indeed black, (which is in itself questionable) it's not due to an inherent difference in black people themselves (which is what I often see people claim)- it's a distortion produced by a racist and socially immobile system. I really dropped the ball in my wording there.

[The Cobalt Sky]

Ah, I got more of a 'institutional racism is a problem, but class is way MORE of a problem' vibe. Sorry about that.

That's alright, just a misunderstanding. Maybe I worded it oddly or something, no harm done.
I wouldn't say class is more of a problem and I certainly couldn't quantify either class or racism in that way. I have a hunch the two problems are deeply related and better understood alongside one another, (although I admit it's just that, a hunch and not much more) but institutional racism certainly isn't a small (or even moderate) problem by any measure. It's massive.

I didn't think it was too implicit, but sorry about that. I kinda jumped the gun on that one, because if you read through the posts (towards the beginning) you'll see two people advocating for freaking apartheid.

I'll try to be clearer on that next time, then. I see where I should have worded stuff differently and I understand why you'd jump the gun, I've done the same way too many times.

I thought I read it wrong and I did, but Mavorpen didn't really get you either so maybe it's wording too? I don't know. Either way, sorry! I'll erase my post.

Nah don't be sorry, my wording was probably off. No need to erase your post, haha. Was just surprised I got jumped on by someone I'd generally consider to be "on the same side" on this issue.

Yay! A new ally! Also, too late about the post thing. But on another note, I think it's only a matter of time before things go from bad to worse with this sort of thing. I mean, I don't want to be that herald of the apocalypse type person, but I think this problem is growing, and the few people that have gone and disagreed with us REALLY disagree. And I don't know if it's just the climate of NS, or what, but I get the distinct feeling that there are more of them who just haven't bothered posting, but I'm not sure. I'm guessing it has something to do with the name I chose for this topic. Whatever the case, I suspect that many people aren't as enlightened as they would lead on.

[The Cobalt Sky]

I have a theory that many people are racist, but are closeted about it. I think that the stigma of a racist is sort of an irrational brute, someone who anyone of any race couldn't stand to be around because they're such a jerk. But it seems unlikely that that's what ALL racists are. I think they can be kind and caring people, people who you'd never really suspect, and would never want to admit are racists, and we go into denial about who they really are.

[Patridam]

Seeing this debate has seemed to end in 'agreement' that modern disparity falls upon systemic racism; what sort of solution would anyone propose? Telling people 'don't be racist' really hasn't seemed to do too much.

[Romalae]

I have a theory that many people are racist, but are closeted about it. I think that the stigma of a racist is sort of an irrational brute, someone who anyone of any race couldn't stand to be around because they're such a jerk. But it seems unlikely that that's what ALL racists are. I think they can be kind and caring people, people who you'd never really suspect, and would never want to admit are racists, and we go into denial about who they really are.

I live in a white southerner Texan family and I can confirm this. A lot of people I know, including some family members, are really sweet and nice people on the outside, but behind closed doors they are heavily racist. Not just against blacks, but also Mexicans and Arabs and to some degree "Orientals" (Asians). The use of racially-charged language isn't even hesitated when they're alone together discussing these kinds of topics.

My belief is that the problem nowadays isn't so much overt, blatant, public racism (although that is still sometimes a problem), but private racism expressed solely behind four walls or within the context of other closeted racists.

Sad.

[Reynoso]

A solution to racism could be education. Most racial stereotypes are unfounded and can apply to any group. Stuff like Jews are greedy, Mexicans are lazy, Asians are bad at driving can literally be said about ANY GROUP OR PERSON. Once people can become informed enough where they can see how irrational the hatred was, they may become at least a little less racist.

Also, racism comes from a fear of the unknown. Most people fear Islam but have no idea what Islam really teaches or is about. In this case, education is also the solution because people will be able to learn about other cultures and see that other races' cultures are more similar and beautiful than they had first imagined.

[Patridam]

A solution to racism could be education. Most racial stereotypes are unfounded and can apply to any group. Stuff like Jews are greedy, Mexicans are lazy, Asians are bad at driving can literally be said about ANY GROUP OR PERSON. Once people can become informed enough where they can see how irrational the hatred was, they may become at least a little less racist.

Also, racism comes from a fear of the unknown. Most people fear Islam but have no idea what Islam really teaches or is about. In this case, education is also the solution because people will be able to learn about other cultures and see that other races' cultures are more similar and beautiful than they had first imagined.

Education against racism is already extremely prevalent in the united states, our school system especially stresses the unfortunate circumstances perpetuated against minorities through the years (slavery, segregation, land theft, stereotyping...). High school history courses explain the differences between the two large sects of Islam, etc. What else would you suggest be done?

[The Cobalt Sky]

Seeing this debate has seemed to end in 'agreement' that modern disparity falls upon systemic racism; what sort of solution would anyone propose? Telling people 'don't be racist' really hasn't seemed to do too much.

I think development of more programs or ways for people to really confront it. A lot of people say 'oh, it's a problem,' but they usually don't say 'oh, it's my problem'. I mean, you're right in saying it's easy to simply point out the fact that it's bad, and I feel a fair amount of this topic is just platitudes about how the system is broken and how people will always have these problems. I think we might need to deal with it more directly somehow, like really making it an issue every time someone says or does something racist. I feel that lately, people have been griping about political correctness, but I feel that political correctness is something that people shouldn't have too much of a problem with. It's as simple as just not calling someone the n-word, and not saying anything to marginalize or hurt them. Accepting and realizing that it's possible to hurt someone in a way that they can't hurt you is a pretty good first step.

[The Cobalt Sky]

A solution to racism could be education. Most racial stereotypes are unfounded and can apply to any group. Stuff like Jews are greedy, Mexicans are lazy, Asians are bad at driving can literally be said about ANY GROUP OR PERSON. Once people can become informed enough where they can see how irrational the hatred was, they may become at least a little less racist.

Also, racism comes from a fear of the unknown. Most people fear Islam but have no idea what Islam really teaches or is about. In this case, education is also the solution because people will be able to learn about other cultures and see that other races' cultures are more similar and beautiful than they had first imagined.

Education against racism is already extremely prevalent in the united states, our school system especially stresses the unfortunate circumstances perpetuated against minorities through the years (slavery, segregation, land theft, stereotyping...). High school history courses explain the differences between the two large sects of Islam, etc. What else would you suggest be done?

Maybe touch on it a little more. School systems seem to be somewhat avoiding it. Apparently a few in Texas have decided to call the trans-Atlantic slave trade the the Atlantic triangular trade, conveniently omitting the bit about slavery, although I think they changed it back. It might not seem like much, but it's the small things that can end up being big and then detrimental. History is sacred, and to know who your ancestors really were, no matter how much it hurts, I believe, is one's sacred duty in life, along with building society for the benefit of everyone.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/bryan-mon ... 86633.html
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/01/2 ... 24157.html

[Saiwania]

Education against racism is already extremely prevalent in the united states, our school system especially stresses the unfortunate circumstances perpetuated against minorities through the years. High school history courses explain the differences between the two large sects of Islam, etc. What else would you suggest be done?

Don't forget that if a school shoves it down people's throats that racism is bad too much, it might just drive some people to be racist who wouldn't be otherwise. I've recognized early on that certain subjects have actual use while other subjects are more opinion and is just propaganda. To get an easy grade, it is sometimes best to identify and toe the line you're given and pretend while keeping your real views to yourself.

[Infected Mushroom]

Hi there. This is my first real discussion thread, so if it comes out lopsided, I’ll work on a new one and come back later. I hope that there isn't another thread out there that covers this one, and I looked but I didn't see one. In case you’re wondering, I’m 14, one half black, and one half white. Apparently, there is some Native American in there somewhere, but I’m not really Native American, and I do not claim to understand their experience in America whatsoever and I do not know what it is like to be one at all. But anyway, I think that lately, people have been saying racism is not a problem. But I think that it is, and a very serious one at that. I point to the criminal justice system, which a lot of people apparently don’t think has any racial problems.

“The survey, which was mostly conducted before the shooting of NYPD Officers Wenjian Liu and Rafael Ramos in New York over the weekend, found similar results on perceptions of the justice system as a whole. While 41% of Americans say the criminal justice system treats blacks fairly, far more whites - 50% - see equity. Among non-whites, that figure drops to just 21%. Two-thirds of non-whites said that the criminal justice system favors whites over blacks.”
http://www.cnn.com/2014/12/22/politics/ ... e-justice/

But it definitely seems to have problems.

“Prison sentences of black men were nearly 20% longer than those of white men for similar crimes in recent years, an analysis by the U.S. Sentencing Commission found.”
http://www.wsj.com/articles/SB100014241 ... 3789858002
http://www.vox.com/2014/7/1/5850830/war ... minorities

“Approximately 12%-13% of the American population is African-American, but they make up 40% of the almost 2.1 million male inmates in jail or prison (U.S. Department of Justice, 2009).[1]”

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Statistics ... ican_males

There are also many issues with racial profiling.

“For every 10,000 residents, about 3,400 more black people are stopped than whites, and 360 more Latinos are stopped than whites. Stopped blacks are 127% more likely to be frisked -- and stopped Latinos are 43% more likely to be frisked -- than stopped whites. Stopped blacks are 76% more likely to be searched, and stopped Latinos are 16% more likely to be searched than stopped whites.
Stopped blacks are 29% more likely to be arrested, and stopped Latinos are 32% more likely to be arrested than stopped whites.
Now consider this: Although stopped blacks were 127% more likely to be frisked than stopped whites, they were 42.3% less likely to be found with a weapon after they were frisked, 25% less likely to be found with drugs and 33% less likely to be found with other contraband. We found similar patterns for Latinos.
Not only did we find that African Americans and Latinos were subjected to more stops, frisks, searches and arrests than whites, we also found that these additional police actions aren't because of the fact that people of color live in higher-crime areas or because they more often carry drugs or weapons, or any other legitimate reason that we can discern from the rich set of data we examined.”
http://articles.latimes.com/2008/oct/23 ... oe-ayres23

And, with the advent of DNA technology, tons of people were exonerated. The vast majority of the wrongfully convicted were black.
http://www.innocenceproject.org/Content ... onwide.php
A few other links to consider:
https://www.americanprogress.org/issues ... ed-states/
http://www.sentencingproject.org/templa ... cfm?id=122

After looking through this, I’d say race is still a pretty serious problem in the US, and not talking about it won’t solve anything, just make it worse. I think people are touchy and uncomfortable when it comes to talking about race, because there’s a chance they could be called racist, and a racist is something that society at large generally says is bad, although I think tons of people are still racist. But this wouldn’t be much of a thread if I didn’t ask: what do you think? What racist experiences have you gone through?

EDIT:
Let me revise this, so people can post a little bit more.
A problem, but how serious a problem? Who do you think is its source? How ingrained is it? Are you a racist? (I want a little more than the generic statement, 'yes, it's a problem')

I think your sources presume that certain groups get arrested more, stay in prison longer, or get searched by the police more because the justice system is simply racist or intentionally/unintentionally victimising a certain group.

That's one interpretation.

Another interpretation is that some people in those specific groups (and it could be because of socio-economic factors like poverty), simply commit more crimes and get caught more often. And when they do get convicted, their behaviour is less conducive to earlier parole releases. The increased policing and searching of these groups is simply law enforcement reacting to the statistics of there being higher commissions of crimes from those sectors of the population (presumably driven by environmental and socioeconomic factors). And of course the justice system is then going to be less popular with those segments of the population.

That's an equally plausible alternative explanation. I don't think it decisively evidences racism.

[Infected Mushroom]

To simplify... what I am saying is...

Why does the fact that certain groups get searched more often, get convicted in court more often, and stay in prison longer PROVE that there is racism?

Couldn't it be that this is simply a government response to there being more crime in certain neighbourhoods?

[The Cobalt Sky]

Education against racism is already extremely prevalent in the united states, our school system especially stresses the unfortunate circumstances perpetuated against minorities through the years. High school history courses explain the differences between the two large sects of Islam, etc. What else would you suggest be done?

Don't forget that if a school shoves it down people's throats that racism is bad too much, it might just drive some people to be racist who wouldn't be otherwise.

Or just brings to the surface the fact that they're racist. They were previously just in the closet about it.

[Patridam]

Maybe touch on it a little more. School systems seem to be somewhat avoiding it. Apparently a few in Texas have decided to call the trans-Atlantic slave trade the the Atlantic triangular trade, conveniently omitting the bit about slavery, although I think they changed it back. It might not seem like much, but it's the small things that can end up being big and then detrimental. History is sacred, and to know who your ancestors really were, no matter how much it hurts, I believe, is one's sacred duty in life, along with building society for the benefit of everyone.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/bryan-mon ... 86633.html
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/01/2 ... 24157.html

Strictly speaking, only one leg of the trade triangle was actually the one traversed by slave ships: the one from Africa to the colonies. The leg from the colonies to Europe took raw materials like cotton, sugar, and tobacco. The leg from Europe to africa brought manufactured good and luxuries. At least, that's how it's usually educated. I'm curious if they just wanted to better specify the title of the triangle, which I can understand; but if they omitted the slave trade altogether that's another story.

In any case, Texas is as always the exception, rather than the rule. Public education about history in most of America focuses in on black involvement (Crispus Attucks, for example, wouldn't be famous if it weren't for his race) and English courses love to focus on African novels or books with focuses on poor treatment of blacks. I cannot attest to Texas, but here in PA my 'World Literature' course featured three books from African writers (Cry, the Beloved Country; Things Fall Apart; Half of a Yellow Sun) and one from Germany, and my American literature course featured Uncle Tom's Cabin, To Kill a Mockingbird, I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings, and The Help. There's really not too much more my school could've touched on without excluding literature not related to blacks in some way.

To simplify... what I am saying is...

Why does the fact that certain groups get searched more often, get convicted in court more often, and stay in prison longer PROVE that there is racism?

Couldn't it be that this is simply a government response to there being more crime in certain neighbourhoods?

That is what I have been saying much of the time. However, some people on here are requesting proof that it isn't a result of racism, rather than providing proof that it is.

[The Cobalt Sky]

To simplify... what I am saying is...

Why does the fact that certain groups get searched more often, get convicted in court more often, and stay in prison longer PROVE that there is racism?

The prison length is for crimes that are similar, meaning that the crimes are similar enough that that shouldn't be the case, and the time given to spend in prison should be around the same. Being searched more often is a sign of racism, since blacks and whites should be searched around the same amount.

“For every 10,000 residents, about 3,400 more black people are stopped than whites, and 360 more Latinos are stopped than whites. Stopped blacks are 127% more likely to be frisked -- and stopped Latinos are 43% more likely to be frisked -- than stopped whites. Stopped blacks are 76% more likely to be searched, and stopped Latinos are 16% more likely to be searched than stopped whites.
Stopped blacks are 29% more likely to be arrested, and stopped Latinos are 32% more likely to be arrested than stopped whites.
Now consider this: Although stopped blacks were 127% more likely to be frisked than stopped whites, they were 42.3% less likely to be found with a weapon after they were frisked, 25% less likely to be found with drugs and 33% less likely to be found with other contraband. We found similar patterns for Latinos.
Not only did we find that African Americans and Latinos were subjected to more stops, frisks, searches and arrests than whites, we also found that these additional police actions aren't because of the fact that people of color live in higher-crime areas or because they more often carry drugs or weapons, or any other legitimate reason that we can discern from the rich set of data we examined.”
http://articles.latimes.com/2008/oct/23 ... oe-ayres23

[Patridam]

To simplify... what I am saying is...

Why does the fact that certain groups get searched more often, get convicted in court more often, and stay in prison longer PROVE that there is racism?

The prison length is for crimes that are similar, meaning that the crimes are similar enough that that shouldn't be the case, and the time given to spend in prison should be around the same. Being searched more often is a sign of racism, since blacks and whites should be searched around the same amount.

“For every 10,000 residents, about 3,400 more black people are stopped than whites, and 360 more Latinos are stopped than whites. Stopped blacks are 127% more likely to be frisked -- and stopped Latinos are 43% more likely to be frisked -- than stopped whites. Stopped blacks are 76% more likely to be searched, and stopped Latinos are 16% more likely to be searched than stopped whites.
Stopped blacks are 29% more likely to be arrested, and stopped Latinos are 32% more likely to be arrested than stopped whites.
Now consider this: Although stopped blacks were 127% more likely to be frisked than stopped whites, they were 42.3% less likely to be found with a weapon after they were frisked, 25% less likely to be found with drugs and 33% less likely to be found with other contraband. We found similar patterns for Latinos.
Not only did we find that African Americans and Latinos were subjected to more stops, frisks, searches and arrests than whites, we also found that these additional police actions aren't because of the fact that people of color live in higher-crime areas or because they more often carry drugs or weapons, or any other legitimate reason that we can discern from the rich set of data we examined.”
http://articles.latimes.com/2008/oct/23 ... oe-ayres23

It's on the front page, you don't need to copy it every single time.

I would counter that they are searched more often because they are more likely to live in high crime areas. A much larger portion of whites live in posh suburbs - police don't go around frisking people in areas like that, because there isn't much crime like there is in the inner city. This source of yours simply says 'it's not because of that' without providing an explanation of how they know.

[Mavorpen]

The prison length is for crimes that are similar, meaning that the crimes are similar enough that that shouldn't be the case, and the time given to spend in prison should be around the same. Being searched more often is a sign of racism, since blacks and whites should be searched around the same amount.

“For every 10,000 residents, about 3,400 more black people are stopped than whites, and 360 more Latinos are stopped than whites. Stopped blacks are 127% more likely to be frisked -- and stopped Latinos are 43% more likely to be frisked -- than stopped whites. Stopped blacks are 76% more likely to be searched, and stopped Latinos are 16% more likely to be searched than stopped whites.
Stopped blacks are 29% more likely to be arrested, and stopped Latinos are 32% more likely to be arrested than stopped whites.
Now consider this: Although stopped blacks were 127% more likely to be frisked than stopped whites, they were 42.3% less likely to be found with a weapon after they were frisked, 25% less likely to be found with drugs and 33% less likely to be found with other contraband. We found similar patterns for Latinos.
Not only did we find that African Americans and Latinos were subjected to more stops, frisks, searches and arrests than whites, we also found that these additional police actions aren't because of the fact that people of color live in higher-crime areas or because they more often carry drugs or weapons, or any other legitimate reason that we can discern from the rich set of data we examined.”
http://articles.latimes.com/2008/oct/23 ... oe-ayres23

It's on the front page, you don't need to copy it every single time.

I would counter that they are searched more often because they are more likely to live in high crime areas. A much larger portion of whites live in posh suburbs - police don't go around frisking people in areas like that, because there isn't much crime like there is in the inner city. This source of yours simply says 'it's not because of that' without providing an explanation of how they know.

Um... Why don't you actually read the part where they explain that blacks stopped weren't more likely to have weapons, drugs, etc than white people. There's literally no reason to search minorities more often if they aren't more likely to be holding drugs or illegal weapons. The only explanation is racism and their explanation for why they don't buy other explanations is there you just ignore it for some reason like you ignored shit that I posted.