Trial Begins Over Whether Latinos Are Racially Profiled in Arizona
In supposed "post-racial America", the discussion continues regarding how race plays into profiling. Of note is that depending upon the outlet, and therefore the mindset, the opinion varies indicating further division in our country. As U.C. Irvine Associate Professor Chicano/Latino Studies Louis Desipio has noted, this is a larger exercise and observation about how countries - such as the United States - incorporate new members. The pattern seems to repeat itself but in new formats. What might be most interesting to watch is the actual response from the "new members" and how that response builds on that of the prior "new members". Are you also examining your own attitudes?
A class-action civil rights trial began against Sheriff Joe Arpaio, self-proclaimed toughest sheriff in America, and his Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office in Arizona. Among the evidence to be introduced are letters asserting previous knowledge of illegal immigrants. Arpaio and his office are accused of engaging in a pattern of discriminatory policing during patrols, stopping and questioning Latinos. Arpaio claims the people pulled over were approached because deputies had probable cause to believe they had committed crimes and that officers only learned afterward that many were illegal immigrants. The plaintiffs aren't seeking money damages. They want a declaration that Arpaio's office racially profiles and an order that requires the department to make changes to prevent what they said is discriminatory policing. To the comment-sphere!
What Others Are Saying...
The abuse of Arpaio’s power has been an ongoing problem for years. He often conducted retaliatory investigation against anyone who questions him. … Arpaio is on trial because he targeted the Latino community specifically. That's racism. … When the majority of your illegals are Hispanic, then that’s who you look for.
… When the majority of people in AZ are Latino, then the majority are likely to be caught committing violations. A handful of Latinos claim they were racially profiled. It should be thousands if it were true. … Right now the Caucasians are the minorities. We should be screaming profiling and racism. But we don't.
Illegal immigrants accounted for 57 percent of the 1,500 people arrested. In other words, about half the time, they are just pulling over the brown boys, because they are dark skinned. The sheriff’s racist stripe is showing big time. … Does it surprise anyone that this cruel despicable racist is a Republican? … Knowing that within the Hispanic population there are more illegals than any other group, it's obvious that the group that will be most targeted will be Hispanics. So what is the problem?