Are Prince George's police racist? If so, who is responsible?

(Updated 17 Jan 2006)

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• Their Truth is Marching On
  
• Monthly Review, 16 Jan 2006 (by Ron Jacobs).
  

. . . Prince George's police are known throughout Maryland for their racism . . .

• My e-mail response to Mr. Jacobs:

Yes, "Prince George's police are known throughout Maryland for their racism" is probably a true statement.

But who is responsible for their racist behavior?

The County Executive is African-American.

The Chief of Police is African-American.

The majority of top-ranking police officials are African-American.

Fine of nine county council members are African-American; one of the remaining four is Latino.

Half of the county's state senators are African-American.

More than half of the county's state delegates are African-American; one of the remaining minority is Latino.

The majority of voters are African-American.

If the Prince George's County police actually are racist it is because their African-American bosses support or at least tolerate such behavior.

• Mr. Jacobs replies:
  

Date: Tue, 17 Jan 2006 5:07:02 -0800
From: Ron J
To: "Diane C. Russell"
Subject: Re: (Prince George's police are known throughout Maryland for their racism).

That could very well be the case. In fact, it certainly seems that way! Re my point that nowadays the system of racism gets a good deal of help from Black people who are willing to play the game.

ron

• So, what will it take to change the reality and the perception?