Quote:
Originally Posted by djchameleon
I didn't answer the question on purpose. I was dodging it by giving a politician type of answer 
Ummm but seriously in the wake of everything that's been going on lately. Most people would be outraged if the cop stopped the black kid for what appears to be no reason even if the cop has a specific reason for it and that's to protect the safety of others. |
So even you realize the inconsistency here. I admire that you can admit it.
But this begs the question of whether or not profiling (not necessarily strictly racial profiling) is a good thing or not.
We could say that it's good in some cases, and not others, but we would have to base that on objectivity. Statistics and probabilities versus risk. Whether skin color comes into play or not would be irrelevant beyond those statistics.
Indeed, if there has been a string of child abductions at a park, vigilant folks in the area would keep an eye out and report anything subjectively suspicious, which is sorta what went down in the LiveLeak video, minus the string of abductions part. (There was just a straight up profiling there)
Fortunately, the old man turned out not to be a pedophile. He may have been angry that he can't enjoy an afternoon watching his grandchildren play in a park without being harassed, but better safe than sorry, right?
This is the thought process that goes into the acceptance of profiling, which we all see as reasonable.
The inconsistency I'm trying to point out in the Zimmerman case is the largely ignored factors in that particular neighborhood with the string of break-ins, and Treyvon APPEARING to fit the profile in his mannerisms. While it turned out to be a complete (and tragic) misunderstanding, and also a hugely irresponsible decision by Zimmerman to not just call the cops and stay out of it, which is really what people should be angry about since it prompted a response by Treyvon which ended in his death, the fact that "racial profiling" is sounding alarms louder than plain ol' bad judgement is saddening. Especially when the circumstances and statistics in that area actually warranted, at the very least, concern.
I see this as two separate issues. Zimmerman's actions should be under fire. Not his reaction to the scenario. Just like the concerned citizen reacted to the possibility that the old white man watching kids at the park should at least be looked into by authorities to make sure everything jived, which is what they did, and nobody batted an eye.
I just think that should be the case on both sides before we start stoking the flames of racial tension unnecessarily.