Unequal Addressing of Unequal Fears?

Unequal Addressing of Unequal Fears?

Boston Police Commissioner Davis says that witness intimidation is more
perception than reality. "The fear is much more widespread than the actual
incidents." (Suzanne Smalley, "In study, teens open up about 'snitching,' fear
of reprisal," Boston Globe, April 11, 2007)
The exact same comments apply to rape and fear of rape. The difference is
that women's fears are addressed because of the enormous power of women in this
country. Whereas young poor black people have little influence over politicians,
police and journalists.
Women's distorted perceptions are treated as real, while poor black people
are ignored because of their "misperceptions." What happened to equal treatment
under law and equal access to government services?

--
Roy Bercaw, Editor
ENOUGH ROOM
Cambridge MA USA

In study, teens open up about 'snitching,' fear of reprisal
By Suzanne Smalley,
Boston Globe Staff
April 11, 2007

One teenager described seeing a witness pistol-whipped for reporting a rape to
police. "His eyes were completely red; you couldn't see any white," the
unidentified youth said in an interview with researchers for a study on witness
intimidation released yesterday. "They threatened to kill him and his family."
Another said: "I'd get in trouble if I reported a violent crime. Gangs would be
mad at me."
A third teenager recalled deciding not to talk to police after witnessing a
shootout.
"If I told them, the drug dealers would come back to me and make more trouble,"
the teenager said. "I told my mom, and she was scared. She went back to the drug
dealers and told them that I didn't say nothing."
[...]