Discussion for article #235031
What?
Seven of 10 whites polled, or 70 percent, said they can imagine a situation in which they would approve of a police officer striking an adult male citizen, according to the 2014 General Social Survey, a long-running measurement of trends in American opinions.
Darcy, do you think it’s possible – maybe even likely – that the 10 whites polled about police tactics imagine the police beating a minority suspect (y’know, just based on what they tend to read everyday) when they offer their 70% rate of approval regarding the beating of American citizens?
Whites in the United States approve of police officers hitting people in far greater numbers than blacks and Hispanics do, at a time when the country is struggling to deal with police use of deadly force against men of color, according to a major American trend survey.
Sorry, uh-uh, not this white, no siree!
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This is the primary reason lawyers want an all white jury when it comes to police misconduct.
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In breaking news, people not being attacked by police are most likely to approve of police attacking people. In a related story, pain hurts.
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Poll: Bears more likely to defecate in woods.
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In other news, it rained in Southern California.
Nobody asked me. I am a white, senior citizen, veteran, Catholic who doesn’t think police should be beating, tazeing and shooting citizens in the course of their duties, unless, really, unless they are truly in danger of losing their life. Plus, they should stop with the bogus stops for “tail light” out as a ruse to confront citizens. Cops are looking for trouble more these days in my opinion. It’s called instigation.
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7 out of 10 Whites. I am glad I am NOT one of the 7.
That IS a disturbing number, however. I’d say we have a LONG way to go on the race front…
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It used to be said that “Dog bites man” is not news. “Man bites dog” is news. I guess that’s changed.
This was a very loaded “survey/question.” I am a very physically disabled (almost) 50-year old white man. There are very few instances in which I would find it “OK to hit an adult male.” Folks, yes, I do think there may be instances when it might be the best tactic for a law enforcement officer to hit a suspect. Seriously, circumstances matter.
TPM, your headline is very poorly thought out – it is more than just click-bait. I personally don’t know any white people–including my rather conservative brothers–who don’t believe as I just stated. Any situation? – NO.
“The poll results don’t surprise experts on American attitudes toward
police, who say experiences and history with law enforcement shape
opinions about the use of violence by officers.”
WTF?
Who are these “experts”? Sounds like Fox experts were interviewed. Nobody I know or am related to would approve of a cop beating someone.
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Have the same background and couldn’t agree more. It’s amazing to me how police behavior can go from routine to confrontational in nanoseconds. Don’t get it.
Interesting that in the middle of this, this tidbit is thrown in: A larger number of blacks could approve police striking a murder suspect who is being questioned: 24 percent, compared to 18 percent of Hispanics and 12 percent of whites. Kind of puts a twist on it, doesn’t it? I’m wondering who it is the 7 in 10 want hit…