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July 29, 2009 6:30 PM

Poll: Many Blacks Say Police Treat Them Unfairly

Posted by Brian Montopoli
(CBS)
As President Obama prepares to meet with African-American professor Henry Louis Gates Jr. and the Cambridge police sergeant who arrested Gates at his home, a new CBS News/New York Times poll finds that fifty percent of black and non-white Hispanics believe most police do not treat them as well as they treat whites.

Forty-one percent of blacks and non-white Hispanics say that they are treated equally. An additional five percent volunteered that "it depends," while the rest say they don't know. Zero percent of blacks and non-white Hispanics say they are treated better than whites by police.

An important note: The sample size of blacks and non-white Hispanics in this survey is relatively small, and the margin of error for the subset is 10 percentage points. By contrast, the margin of error for whites and the total sample is three points.

Whites are more likely to say police treat both groups the same, the poll finds. Forty-nine percent of whites believe there is equal treatment, while 34 percent say blacks and non-white Hispanics are treated worse than they are. Three percent of whites say blacks and non-white Hispanics receive better treatment from police than they do.

(CBS)
Overall, 46 percent of Americans say whites and black and non-white Hispanics are treated equally by police. Thirty-eight percent say whites are treated better than black and non-white Hispanics. Three percent say black and non-white Hispanics are treated better than whites.

Less than one in five Americans overall – 18 percent – says they have been discriminated against by police because of their race or ethnicity. But the percentage of blacks and non-white Hispanics who say police have discriminated against them because of race or ethnicity is far higher – 52 percent.

Only eight percent of whites say they have been discriminated against by police because of their race or ethnicity. Ninety-one percent say they have not been subject to such discrimination.

More from the CBS News poll released Wednesday:

Poll: Obama Not Blamed For Economy

Poll: Public Conflicted Over Health Reform

Poll: Many Blacks Say Police Treat Them Unfairly

Poll: Americans Want Deficit Reduced

Video: Polling Director Sarah Dutton Discusses the Poll

This poll was conducted among a random sample of 1050 adults nationwide, interviewed by telephone July 24-28, 2009. Phone numbers were dialed from random digit dial samples of both standard land-line and cell phones. The error due to sampling for results based on the entire sample could be plus or minus three percentage points. The error for subgroups is higher.

This poll release conforms to the Standards of Disclosure of the National Council on Public Polls.
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Add a Comment See all 98 Comments
by miker4_u September 5, 2009 11:00 PM EDT
I find this poll is really bogus because folks it really doesn't matter what race a person is. The majority of time the police are color blind. When the Blacks, Whites etc... stop playing the race card we will have evolved to the human race. I'm sick and tired and have lived 54 years and treat all people with the same respect but rarely get that same respect back because until we all learn that blood is red and we all bleed red we will never change. We are all guilty of racial profiling regardless of who is in denial. The false presumption of any race being victimized in today's society is an all out lie and should be treated as such. One question has to be answered by every politician and if their answer is anything other then yes then vote them out of office.

The Question: Do you support and Defend the constitution of the United States?
Grow up people! Stop blaming others for your own short comings when you can do that you will have evolved.
Reply to this comment
by duling0 August 3, 2009 10:52 PM EDT
Here is the problem:
You are either an American, someone trying to become an American or a Visitor. If you say you are Some-other-nationality-American then you are NOT an American. If you are NOT an American or trying to become one then its time to leave. This stupid Racism is not the fault of white people, its all coming from blacks. I saw two racists in this story and the Sgt was not one. Yes the police do make mistakes but if everyone obeyed the law equally then all would be harassed equally.
Reply to this comment
by mary-miami August 1, 2009 4:22 PM EDT
What the poll shows is that if you are white skinned, blonde, blue/green eyed...you probably have no idea what if feels like to be discriminated against. Unless, of course, you are a blond,blue eyed person who speaks with an accent...then the moment you open your mouth, you are judged as less than others, no matter if you have a doctorate degree in whatever...It's a shame to think that humanity has not progressed enough to realize that the color of skin means nothing...intelligence occurs in the brain.
Reply to this comment
by swin5 July 31, 2009 8:45 AM EDT
Poll: Many police officers say blacks commit a disproportionate amount of crimes.
Reply to this comment
by ABM_21 July 30, 2009 10:43 PM EDT
by NEWCO123 July 29, 2009 7:05 PM EDT
Well we know who has the biggest chips on their shoulders. Other then that this poll says nothing.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Yes, we do: Whites with badges.

by endurorob

Lets face it people. The black community is being bombarded on a daily basis by the likes of Sharpton, Jackson, The new black panthers etc. that they are being racially profiled in every aspect of their life. If you are told something enough times and long enough you will believe whether it is true or not. That is especially true in the case of the tounger people.
---------------------------------------------------------------------
The 'likes of Sharpton, Jackson, the new Black Panther Party, etc. originated out of abuses by white police officers, and a generally apathetic white populace in general. The above ignorance is morally equivalent to blaming a rape victim for wearing a short skirt.
To see many of these bigots demanding 'Jesse go home' when Black people were defrauded out of their right to vote by Bush in the 2000 presidential election was comical to say the very least.Even though blacks make up 17% of the driving population, they account for 70% of all police stops across the country. What is that? Racial profiling, plain and simple.
Finally, the use of statistics by people not trained in how to interpret them is comical. Of course, any statistics that proves a bigoted point of view by the likes of the above named bigots will be used, yet none of these idiots ever took a course in statistics. This means that many of your conclusions are wrong, not to mention incredibly stupid.
Obama is no racist. Gates was the victim. Crowley is, always has been and probably always will be a bigot. I don't care if he teaches a course in African American literature. He is a bigot...as are endurob, newco123, and almost every conservative in this nation.
Reply to this comment
by hungry1968-16 July 30, 2009 4:43 PM EDT
by SgtFC July 30, 2009 1:43 PM EDT
The US is full of wimps!

When did we go from being a nation full of James Dean, Mohammed Ali, Hulk Hogan types to being a bunch of pansy, peewee herman, whiners?







Check this clown out!!!

He thinks that "Hulk Hogan" is real!!!

Bwaaa haaaa haaaa!!!!




Does anyone want to break it to him, that "Hulk Hogan" is nothing more than a cartoon character on steroids, appealing to the "trailer park" crowd?
Reply to this comment
by Questionews July 30, 2009 6:03 PM EDT
Hungry

Hulk Hogan is a well known wrestler in WWE that has lost most of his hair & will have a body of silly putty as he ages. (The steroid part is still accurate.)
The Incredible Hulk (Bruce Banner when he's not angry) is a large green comic / cartoon book character. (Steroids still probably apply, but they're cartoon steroids so they're OK)

"Don't make me angry, you wouldn't like me when I'm angry."
by hungry1968-16 July 30, 2009 7:38 PM EDT
Saying Hulk Hogan is real, is like saying John Wayne was a REAL cowboy. He played a cowboy in the movies, but he was an actor - NOT a cowboy.

Hulk Hogan is a make believe, fictional character.
by radicalc-2009 July 30, 2009 3:47 PM EDT
I would like to see a poll done on teens to see if they think the cops treat them unfairly. The ones I know feel the same. Does that mean that they are being unfairly targeted or are the police just doing their job with a group that is statistically more apt to get in trouble.

Let's just say it like it is without the racial component.
Reply to this comment
by jsilver2th July 30, 2009 4:32 PM EDT
"a group that is statistically more apt to get in trouble."

Now is the group more likely to "get in trouble" because there is some instrinsic that is bad about them or because they are stopped more by the police?

Think about it-
by radicalc-2009 July 30, 2009 4:52 PM EDT
The teens are in a stage of life that is difficult and yet they still require more attention. I am glad that they watch my kids a little closer than they would me. I'm sure there are countless lifes that are saved just by the presence of our law enforcement.
by pardonme2 July 30, 2009 3:34 PM EDT
It has been reported in a recent poll that repeat offenders say police treat them unfairly.
Reply to this comment
by greennnnnn-2009 July 30, 2009 3:44 PM EDT
Har, har.............
by jsilver2th July 30, 2009 3:09 PM EDT
I'm a white middle aged gun owning rural American home owner and I am here to tell those with their heads in the sand to wake up:

Law enforcement is not equal in this country.
Many police unfairly target minorities.
Many times racial minorities do get stopped based soley on their color.

This is not always due to racial prejudice- a lot of it is economic prejudice and because the racial minorities are more likely to be poor- i.e. they have an older car- they are more likely to be stopped.

One old adage is that the criminal justice system is equal in America- the punishment for stealing a loaf of bread is the same if you are poor or if you are a Bank President- oh yes don't forget the Bank President does not need to steal a loaf of bread does he?

Until I practiced law for 20 years I did not believe it either but I suggest those doubters go to criminal arraignments for a week or so and watch it yourself.

Denying this is true does little to build respect for law enforcement which should be a cornerstone of Americanism.
Reply to this comment
by greennnnnn-2009 July 30, 2009 3:17 PM EDT
True dat!!
by pepperwood2 July 30, 2009 3:06 PM EDT
Can I get in on this bashing & police brutality?. I'm a Caucasian. Minority Slovak Origin and also a Victim. We don't want to leave any stones unturned.
Reply to this comment
by greennnnnn-2009 July 30, 2009 3:00 PM EDT
I realize that there are blacks who play the race card. I've seen it tons of times. HowEVER, they do receive harsher sentences, etc. than whites do. It's more or less a FACT..............even some judges and authorities will attest to that.
Reply to this comment
by stinger1z July 30, 2009 2:39 PM EDT
See I forgot how all us whites have it easy, with so many of far below the poverty line resorting to cooking up meth and also living in substandard homes (or trailers). It's good to know that others stereotype us all as well-to-do and born into an easy life. I've worked for everything around me and won't apologize to anyone for that.
Reply to this comment
by johndevinejr July 30, 2009 2:17 PM EDT
by Berkeley_Skirt_Lifter July 30, 2009 12:55 PM EDT
Good point johndevinejr! People discriminate daily, on many criteria. Odd that when a hint of racial discrimination enter a situation, overly sensitive, thin skinned, whinning, sniveling, victims, like youself, point it out, and rant, holler, rave, and shout about how disenfranchised you are. Toughen up ... a little bit anyway.

You said it yourself, ""I get treated differently, ignored, treated rudely etc., at stores when I don't "look" good or when I don't have nice clothes on etc. Doesn't just happen because of color people. People judge other people by lots of criteria. Follow someone in a wheel chair sometime if you want to see discrimination ""

So stop with all the race stuff. It's not all about race. There are other factors. sheeeesh


You don't seem to be mixing my post with the one I responded to. You should pay attention to what you are reading, then your arrogant, snotty post would make some sense.
Reply to this comment
by tomadams99 July 30, 2009 1:59 PM EDT
Would you expect them to say anything else? Even the out of the closet racist Colin Powell is claiming he has been profiled. Like so many, he is as full of crap as Sharpton and Jesse. I am certainly no supporter of the men in blue, but I know how to button my lip around them, and take action after the fact if wronged. That is something lost on many when confronted for their actions by the men who are more often than not one step away from the appropriate side of the jail door.
Reply to this comment
by troutfishyman July 30, 2009 1:57 PM EDT
Blacks see negative consequences as racism, rather than the natural consequences of certain actions. If you are belligerent with a figure of authority, expect negative consequences. If you do not show up for work, expect negative consequences. If you deal drugs, expect negative consequences. If you don't get an education, don't expect to get a good job. Racism is too often used as an excuse, a failure to accept responsibility for personal behavior.
Reply to this comment
by endurorob July 30, 2009 1:50 PM EDT
heavynne July 30, 2009 1:20 PM EDT
The police came to my home one summer day. My children, son, 16, daughter 12, were in the front yard playing with water guns (a bright orange water gun and a bright blue water gun). My son was calling me to come outside. I get outside and see at least 12 officers pointing guns at both my kids. I asked what was happening, they told me to come out and put my hands up. I told them that I was a federal officer and showed them ID, I asked why they had guns pointed at my kids (especially my 12-year-old). They said they had a report that someone was running around with a shotgun. One of the cops, a female, insisted on going into my home to check. Once they saw my credentials they backed down. I told them their excuse was ridiculous, I work in the gang unit and have never seen a shotgun that was orange or blue. It turned out that they had the wrong address. If I had not shown them my credentials, it would have gone differently, I truly believe that.



I am not believing your story either. Police will not hold a gun on a 12 year old with and orange toy gun.
Reply to this comment
by endurorob July 30, 2009 1:48 PM EDT
Berkeley_Skirt_Lifter July 30, 2009 1:42 PM EDT
It's not just Blacks screaming "Victim". Gays, women, aged, genderly confused, hispanics, disabled, etc. Everyone is screaming "I'm a Victim", because in this politically correct nanny state, that's how you get ahead. Scream victim and be rewarded in our society.

The "Race Card" is a "Victim Card". Watch how much benefit Gates reaps by playing this card. Rich and Famous Gates will be! And never accountable for this underhanded charade.



People want to be the victim because recent history hass shown that is the fast track to getting what you want. As an example "I was dumb enough to put a hot cup of coffee my lap while driving and it burnt me so that is the fault of the retaurant that sold me the coffee." This woman got $3M for being stupid because she convinced a stupid jury she was a victim. Or how about the lawyer that had the habit of keeping his brief case in thebakc seat of his car and rather than get out of the car, open the back door and take the brief case out that way he chose, here is the key word, chose to twist around while still seated to grab the briefcase. Since he did this on a daily basis he eneded up with chronic back problems. Since he convinced the jury that his job at the law firm required him to cary a brief case it was the firms fault he ended up with a large settlement. No one wants to be responsible for their own actions.
Reply to this comment
by heavynne July 30, 2009 1:28 PM EDT
My aunt is a probation officer for juveniles. She talks about the disparities in the system and how minority children are given harsher sentences than white children for the same crimes. These are the facts and not just excuses. Our justice system is not blind. The only people who truly believe that the system is fair are those who have not experienced it. Colin Powell said he's been racially profiled and so has President Obama. Why, because contrary to the beliefs of some of you it does exist. Being black or Hispanic does not make you a criminal. I am positively sure that whites outnumber everyone on every level (criminal, welfare, housing, etc.) but we will never hear those numbers. Why?
Reply to this comment
by pw08-2009 July 30, 2009 1:24 PM EDT
The bottom line is that many African Americans need to figure out how to overcome their obstacles because if you can't do it, than neither can anyone else.

Blaming others for your problems just doesn't fly with anyone either because there are many other minority groups with the added deficit of a language barrier, that somehow figure it out.

The other thing is that you need to learn how to react to authority and so many of you can't figure that one out and it's pretty baffling.

You're losing support every day, so wake up.
Reply to this comment
by endurorob July 30, 2009 1:23 PM EDT
stillwaters6 July 30, 2009 11:16 AM EDT
Believe me there are many majority kids arrested in high class suburbs but you'll never find any records on the books. So if you're using FBI facts to "prove" your point. T The reality is inconsistent with the facts. There is an unwritten rule that one may arrest a juvenille or person of the majority group, NEVER BOOK THEM, and just wait until mom and dad pick them up. NO RECORD OF THE PERSON has been recorded.



Reality is not inconsisitent with the facts. Your perception is inconsistent with reality and the facts.
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