When you hear a crime story, does race enter your mind?

[traditional_woman]

Those stories that outrage or sadden you the most, does your mind immediately see the race of the perp? Do you say, I bet they were of such and such race?

[LouC]

If I read a headline and it says Republican party chairman arrested I can't help but mind profile a middle aged Caucasian male.

[uncledoom]

For some people, the race of the victim could determine whether they are outraged or saddened.

[JediMindTrick]

Those stories that outrage or sadden you the most, does your mind immediately see the race of the perp? Do you say, I bet they were of such and such race?

Depends on the crime.

If its a child molester I automatically think white person as the vast vast majority are. In fact, I struggle to think of the last time I saw a story on the news about a non white molester. Obviously there must be some, I just haven't heard of them.

If I think serial killer I think white person simply because most tend to be white.

If its gang crime, I think black or hispanic.

If its a murder I think white person just because most murderers are white (simple demographics - there are a lot more white people).

BTW - I'm white.

[JediMindTrick]

For some people, the race of the victim could determine whether they are outraged or saddened.

And whether it gets much media coverage. A cute blonde girl goes missing and we get the second coming of Greta Van Aruba and the rest of the national media but if a plain minority girl goes missing its barely worth a minute on local news.

[uncledoom]

IMO, the race of the perps is immaterial. Over the past ten years or so, there has been a rainbow coalition of perps from all different crimes affecting all types of people. Black or white they should all fry/do there time.

[Vaard]

when i hear abour swastikas sprayed on churches, i automatically assume the vandals are white......

[Backwoods]

Any time I hear of a crime, it is my duty as an evil conservative to automatically assume that the perp is either black,hispanic,or gay.Conservatives hate all these people-at least thats what the MSM tells me.

[scmarcos]

It depends on the crime really. When I hear about someone in a city being pulled over for erratic driving, or tinted windows, I automatically think of driving while black. When I hear of a meth bust I always think about two white guys cooking meth in a bath tub.

[sgdp]

Depends on the crime and location. I know enough about this area to have a pretty good idea, and I've rarely been wrong.

[Justus]

I clicked rarely but I guess I would have to say 'no'. Sometimes it pops into my mind, but I don't think : "typical (fill in the race)".

Unless it's funny... Like a stereotype. Then I just laugh (if no one's dead).

[MarkyS]

Depends on the crime.

.......If its a child molester I automatically think white person as the vast vast majority are. In fact, I struggle to think of the last time I saw a story on the news about a non white molester. Obviously there must be some, I just haven't heard of them........

That would be possibly because there is a low percentage of minorities in your community. Here in the Southwest we get many Hispanic molestors mixed in with white molestors, because we have a huge Hispanic population. We also get black molestors, though without a description or photo it's often harder to know that, just by reading a story. Molesting is an equal opportunity crime.

M

[JediMindTrick]

There is a cop on my department whose first cop job was LAPD back in the 80's. He says that when they were broadcasting an attempt to locate they were forced to stop using the venacular of "male usual." That was shorthand for black male, age 18-25.

[JediMindTrick]

That would be possibly because there is a low percentage of minorities in your community. Here in the Southwest we get many Hispanic molestors mixed in with white molestors, because we have a huge Hispanic population. We also get black molestors, though without a description or photo it's often harder to know that, just by reading a story. Molesting is an equal opportunity crime.

M

We are about 15% hispanics here. Virtually no blacks though (its about .5%). No doubt there are hispanic child molesters but you just don't hear about it much except for the statuatory rape type which I blame on cultural differences as in Mexico girls are considered to be women at a younger age.

[Rurudyne]

I would just like to point out that many crime stories include race information up front after some fashion (if not in words, a picture).

But when it isn't forced on my eyes going in: I don't consider race.

[merickson]

Those stories that outrage or sadden you the most, does your mind immediately see the race of the perp? Do you say, I bet they were of such and such race?If asked, I'd probably come up with a guess, but "what race is the perp" doesn't flash through my head.

[BillBrown]

I don't think much about it.
If it's local news and they give the address, it isn't hard to figure out the race.

What gets me is the police putting out a statement such as "an unidentified African American was seen running from the scene".

How do they know it was an American? It could have been an African exchange student or even a tourist.

Why don't they simply say a black person or a Negro, was seen running...?

Stupid, to say the least...IMO

[sgdp]

I don't think much about it.
If it's local news and they give the address, it isn't hard to figure out the race.

What gets me is the police putting out a statement such as "an unidentified African American was seen running from the scene".

How do they know it was an American? It could have been an African exchange student or even a tourist.

Why don't they simply say a black person or a Negro, was seen running...?

Stupid, to say the least...IMO


"Negro" isn't PC, as far as I'm aware. I had fun explaining that to a Saudi Arabian friend of mine who just came here a few years ago for university.

We were talking about the UNCF...Yes, Fadal. It is "United Negro College Fund", but no, we can't say "negro" around here.

He was confused, and I don't blame him. Just had to get him to understand UNCF was founded when that term was still acceptable. Poor guy. I love watching him try to understand American culture. I also love learning about his. :)

[BillBrown]

"Negro" isn't PC, as far as I'm aware. I had fun explaining that to a Saudi Arabian friend of mine who just came here a few years ago for university.

We were talking about the UNCF...Yes, Fadal. It is "United Negro College Fund", but no, we can't say "negro" around here.

He was confused, and I don't blame him. Just had to get him to understand UNCF was founded when that term was still acceptable. Poor guy. I love watching him try to understand American culture. I also love learning about his. :)

I would think exactitude of language would trump PC, in describing a perpetrator.

If I had a Nigerian visiting me, and a house got robbed next door- the police said it was an unknown African-American- I would know it wasn't my guest. He isn't an American.

[traditional_woman]

Interesting posts. IMA make another thread. Come on over.....