http://www.dailykos.com/story/2015/09/01/1417335/-Scientific-study-confirms-what-we-already-knew-white-people-prefer-to-shoot-black-people
An actual target found at a gun range
Before you quickly file this under "shit I already knew," give yourself a second to get some of the basic facts from a disturbing new study out of the University of Illinois.
Looking at a comprehensive dataset from 42 studies done over the past decade in which people were asked to make split-second decisions on whether or not to shoot someone, the results were horrifically racist and confirm the on-the-ground reality we've seen far too often with lethal force being used disproportionately against African Americans by police and armed citizens alike:
The meta-analysis showed that the participants were quicker to shoot when an armed person was black, slower to choose not to shoot when an unarmed person was black, and more trigger-happy toward black targets, in general.
Not only that, but:
In states where gun laws are less strict, shooter bias against black targets increased—unarmed black targets were more likely to be shot. The bias only got worse in areas that were more racially diverse.
"What this highlights," Mekawi told NPR, "is that even though a person might say, 'I'm not racist' or 'I'm not prejudiced,' it doesn't necessarily mean that race doesn't influence their split-second decisions."
Now, using that scientific backing that racial bias, known or unknown, informs how people approach African Americans, let's reconsider a few cases.
Tamir Rice, a 12-year-old 6th grader in Cleveland, was shot by police in less than two seconds in spite of posing no threat to the officers. Later, he was called a menace.
Rekia Boyd, an unarmed and beloved young lady in Chicago, was shot on sight by Officer Dante Servin from his car when he said he believed her boyfriend had a gun. It was a cell phone.
Amadou Diallo, a hard-working African immigrant, was shot at 41 times by police on his own doorstep. They claimed he had a gun. It was his wallet.
John Crawford, a new dad, picked a toy gun off the shelf of an Ohio Wal-Mart and was talking on a cell phone with his girlfriend when he was shot in less than two seconds by police who had been told he had a real gun. He didn't.
Pasadena police repeatedly shot all-state football player Kendrec McDade, killing him. They claimed he not only had a gun, but that they saw and heard him shoot it at them. He was unarmed.
too many refuse to listen or entertain the truth we cannot force feed truth it only creates more intense rebellion. what we can do is continue to pass on info like this it will get to some and eventually others we have already seen many changing attitudes so we know it's possible. each one teach one!!
