Cardin Op-Ed: We Must Put an End to Racial Profiling in America

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Cardin Op-Ed: We Must Put an End to Racial Profiling in America

3/29/2012

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By U.S. Senator Ben Cardin

Racial profiling – the targeting of individuals because of race, ethnic identity, national origin or religion – has no place in our nation. The recent, tragic and avoidable shooting death of Trayvon Martin, an unarmed African-American teenager in Florida, has focused national attention on the need to make sure minority communities are protected from hate crimes and racial profiling, a practice that is ineffective in crime prevention, undermines effective law enforcement, and erodes civil rights.

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c3h8	3/29/2012 at 4:25 PM
What
a politician!
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justsayin1	3/29/2012 at 4:25 PM
include everyone!
Racial profiling exists in all communities, not just minority communities.
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lou45	3/29/2012 at 4:33 PM
Hopefully......
if Senator Cardin has an advanced copy of the Florida States Attorney findings he will also release that so we can see what happened! It was unfortunate that Mr. Martin had just been suspended from school that day, otherwise he would not have been staying with his father.
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Goldie12	3/29/2012 at 4:41 PM
Zimmerman is innocent.
I believe Zimmerman is innocent. If it was the case, then this article must be put into an embarrassment.
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Gehrig333	3/29/2012 at 7:22 PM
Reply to Goldie12: Zimmerman is innocent
but the media has determined he is guilty, so publicly he's guilty.

Lou_Dunn	3/29/2012 at 4:45 PM
What?
Senator if you are making this statement due to the shooting of this black teenager that is in the news what made you do this? It has already been said there was no racial profilling. The matter is under investigation, what until the investigation is complete before you pass judgement. You and I are not Judge, Jury or Executioner. A person of your position should not have made such a statement without getting all the facts.
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jaybird	3/29/2012 at 4:54 PM
racial profiling
I don't believe that racial profiling is anything but an excuse for minorities to get away with commitimg crimes and blaming it on somebody else.I am so sick of hearing the same thing over and over. Thats all the media is using to fill up their shows.Perfect example is when the Martin-Zimmerman story broke they called Zimmerman white and showed his picture which obviously is not a white man. Then they called him white hispanic. Is Obama White Black? The media knows that if they want to blow this story up the guy has to be white .They can't cry racial profiling unless the guy is white.If anybody ask questions about Martin and his behavior they claim we are messing up his reputation.Nobody cares about the questions they ask about Zimmerman.Here is some questions the media won't ask. 1-Martin was supposedly talking on the phone to his girlfriend and she claims she heard him yell for help. Did she call for HELP.? Did she call anybody ? 2-Supposedly the parents didn't know for 3 days what happened to Martin. Why didn't they call the police and report him missing? Why didn't the girlfriend call the parents? 3-Supposedly Martin was in this gated community to go visit the Fathers girlfriend. So where is the girlfriend? First they said he was on his way to go see his Father? Where does the Father live, with the girlfriend ?
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Gehrig333	3/29/2012 at 7:15 PM
Reply to jaybird: Well said.
For that matter, why did Obama come out on national television and even comment on this story? This is not the business of politicians. This is just another instance of a politician jumping on the band wagon in an attempt to garner votes. And the media makes me sick. The "news" only gives us what they want us to. The job of the media is to shape the opinions of the masses. That's why I rarely watch it anymore. There is always an agenda.

frogballz	3/30/2012 at 7:47 AM
Reply to jaybird: Vote cardin out!!
The hyphen ( ? ) is a punctuation mark used to join words and to separate syllables of a single word. In the political arena it is used to divide. It a shame when a life is lost. It's also a shame when it's used by hoyer, cardin, sharpton,... to get elected or public notice. Shapton will stand in front of a traffic camera to get his face to tv. He's a low life extortionist. Jaybirb it's Halfrican-American.

Chris0nllyn	3/29/2012 at 4:54 PM
Really?
The only racial thing happening with this story is the fact that both Rev. Sharpton, and Jackson have used this boys death to promote their own race baiting agenda. If minorities want certain things, WORK FOR THEM! Special intrest groups, and minority grants do nothing but promote the DIFFERENCE between people.
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KlineKR	3/29/2012 at 5:00 PM
Be realistic
When the overwhelming majority of violent crime in this country is perpetrated by one small demographic, there can be no other outcome.
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somdforever	3/29/2012 at 5:03 PM
Cardin, you should be ashamed
of yourself! Do you perhaps have some information or personal insight into what really happened in Florida. Yes, it was a tragedy, but you were not there. As a US Senator you should be ashamed to play the race card. Let me ask you this Senator: When the white gentleman was killed in front of his 8 year-old daughter in Florida by the black homeowner, all because the homeowner didn't want a kid skateboarding on the basketball court, where were you then? Have you spoken up for him and his family? As a matter of fact, where were the all Al Sharptons and Jesse Jacksons then? Did the Justice Department launch an investigation? Why did this black man come OUT of his house with a loaded gun, walk 300 feet to confront someone who was not armed, and then claim the "Stand your ground" defense? The problem with this country Senator is that people like you keep the fires burning, yet, your position allows you to live in luxury and safety without really knowing what goes on in the real world.
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WiskerHole	3/30/2012 at 8:23 AM
Reply to somdforever: AGREEEEE!!!!!!!!
SOMDFOREVER!! You are so right. Why are they making this case such big news and the only thing I saw on that white gentleman who was killed in front of his 8 year-old daughter in Florida by the black homeowner was a video on comcast. Where are the rights for that family? Pisses me off how they are making this Trayvon Martin case a racial killing and nothing on the other! That was a trye crime and that man should be locked away forever for taking that man away from his family!

lewbrown	3/29/2012 at 5:59 PM
Election Year
Ben Cardin is running for re-election an opportune moment has happened and he is doing what politicians do, taking advantage. Racial profiling, hate crime, that's all we hear from the MSM and the Politicians and minority leaders like Sharpton and Jackson. Yet those hate crime/racial profiling for special group's is getting old. Crime happens to all colors and nationalities, yet the only time it's a big deal is when it is a special group. I always thought justice was suppose to be blind and dispensed justice equal. Thanks to politicians who make special laws and perpetuate the myth that we all are not created equal, we find ourselves wondering what really happened in Florida. MSM will not report the news fairly, politicians will slant it for their benefit, so who do you trust?
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jaybird	3/29/2012 at 6:14 PM
Reply to lewbrown: Ben Cardin
I had received a phone call from Sen mikulski asking me to vote for Ben Cardin so I called his office yesterday and told him what I thought of him and his racial profiling bull. I told him not to look for support from Southern Maryland. His phone # is 202-224-4524. I called Steny Hoyer also and his # is202-225-4131. Give them a call. Instead of worrying about Florida they need to get rid of illegal immigrants here

lewbrown	3/29/2012 at 7:49 PM
Reply to lewbrown: Not the right political group
Jaybird: Mikulski was kind enough to inform me that my feelings on Gun was my opinion and she would vote her way. Steny is great at sending those canned reply's and Cardin can stack it as high as any liberal politician. Elections are upon us and Cardin has never gotten a vote from me. I applaud your phone call, but I'm afraid it fell on deaf ears. As for Florida, what's going on there isn't what it seems. It's about a News media that plays politics with peoples lives. Zimmerman deserves his time in court and not tried by a corrupt News Media. One only have to follow the crap that is being perpetrated by the media. Tweeting someone's home address, causing innocent people to have to flee their homes. Sheer loons. Thanks for the reply. NOW: lets vote Cardin out...

lewbrown	3/29/2012 at 6:01 PM
Election Year
Ben Cardin is running for re-election an opportune moment has happened and he is doing what politicians do, taking advantage. Racial profiling, hate crime, that's all we hear from the MSM and the Politicians and minority leaders like Sharpton and Jackson. Yet those hate crime/racial profiling for special group's is getting old. Crime happens to all colors and nationalities, yet the only time it's a big deal is when it is a special group. I always thought justice was suppose to be blind and dispensed justice equal. Thanks to politicians who make special laws and perpetuate the myth that we all are not created equal, we find ourselves wondering what really happened in Florida. MSM will not report the news fairly, politicians will slant it for their benefit, so who do you trust?
Reply to This Comment

Gehrig333	3/29/2012 at 7:20 PM
Reply to lewbrown: trust no one
x-files reference. DTA, Don't Trust Anybody-Stone Cold Steve Austin reference. Trust yourself, and use common sense.

johnny_b	3/29/2012 at 6:25 PM
Wow
Reading the comments!! I would expect nothing less from southern maryland lol.This young man lost his life.He did not commit a crime!!! If it was a white man killed by a black or other minority the comments would be different.What if it were one of your kids.This area is so racist!! I know thats a strong word,but its true.Just a statement,not going to reply or comment again because you not going to change.I know you wish you could used the words you really want to use. ITS SAD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Reply to This Comment

Gehrig333	3/29/2012 at 7:18 PM
Reply to johnny_b: Not racist
Everyone is just tired of being fed manure. Truth hurts, politicians and media lies, and gas and beer are still expensive.

c3h8	3/29/2012 at 7:19 PM
Reply to johnny_b: He
most certainly committed a crime. It was called 1st degree assault,jackwagon.

Gehrig333	3/29/2012 at 7:27 PM
Reply to johnny_b: you should leave
or become a politician.

iknowimright	3/29/2012 at 9:07 PM
This is clearly
being used as a distraction, because these politicians know that racism is the most popular subject in the US along with sex, drugs,violence and TV. Notice how the photo used for this story is black and white. It portrays a black man facing a white man, as if they're about to square off. Doesn't look a symbol of peace to me. See the angle being played here? I know I'm not the only one who has noticed. That particular crime was not even white on black crime, it was Latino on black crime. What, just because his last name is Zimmerman that makes him white? Such a load of BS, this is clearly being used to raise tensions and make people forget about what's really going on. Except I'm not buying it, try again.
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Fish_N_Chips	4/4/2012 at 8:26 PM
Reply to iknowimright: Do you even have a thought of your own...
that makes sense iknowimafreak? First of all the pic in the article is about as old as the original NBC peacock. It's not used to incite hatred. It's been an old pariadigm used simply to disguinshish black from caucasian. You don't get it or "buy it" as you said because you are an uneducated cretin. Go back to school and get an education and do the entire universe a favor!

kool_keith	3/30/2012 at 7:40 AM
It was a hate crime.
It doesn't matter if the guy was white, hispanic, asian, native american, east indian, or any other race out there. Period point blank, all of you out there who are non black, can't stand black people. It's us blacks against the world. I even have associates who are non black and I truly believe deep down inside of them even racism exists. I think every none black person is racist to some extent no matter their age or gender. You all can't stand black people, but it's okay. Trust me, we can't stand you all either. What really trips me out is you got all these latin, asian, east indian, native american, etc. ethnicities out here who portray themselves to be white and try so hard to be equally white, that in actuallity they are so blinded to realize that the "White Man" doesn't approve or your kind either. Racism isn't going anywhere anytime soon. I believe the problem is getting worse faster than it is getting better. I wouldn't mind segregation, at least everybody could live their regular lives without pretending to like each other. I keep my distance from people who aren't black because I know deep down inside you're thinking about me being associated with the N word. And that goes for all non-blacks.
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WiskerHole	3/30/2012 at 9:52 AM
Reply to kool_keith: You are wrong/right
Wrong: I am a white person and I don’t see color at all. Not every white person hates people from a different race because of their race. MOST do, I will give you that, but not all. But I am glad you admit that you hate all white people because of race; I just hope you can admit it away from hiding from a computer. Right: Race isn’t going anywhere. Most white people can’t see it because they don’t live it every day. I am guilty of thinking it is gone also until I see one of my black friends being disrespected, or see a documentary on TV. I think it is sick but I think it isn’t getting worse; it is better than what it was in the 60's/70's right? People like you putting negative comments out there like you did certainly aren’t going to help fix it! If you think people automatically associate you with the N word then you have a problem too. You can’t live your life ignoring/staying away from white people just because they are white. You are depriving yourself from a lot. I have what I consider a really good friend who is black. She invites us to all of her home functions/parties and we have the best time there. Her whole family treats my family like we are their family. I wouldn’t give that up for anything and certainly not because they are black and I am white!

kool_keith	3/30/2012 at 10:46 AM
Reply to kool_keith: Wiskerhole
I'm sorry. I haven't always been like this. I had alot of white, asian, latin, and other friends of different races in the past, but as we got older I started to realize everyone started to distance themselves away from each other and hangout with their own race. I never thought in my life I would have to wake up and see the true facts that we will never all be equal. I hate when people treat blacks like we are so stupid, always trying to correct us, even when we're right. I'm not the type to argue so I let them believe what they want, but deep down inside i'm thinking to myself, "These MF's think i'm stupid because i'm black". SMH! Even at work people try to insult our intelligence. We are the last to receive any promotions at work, when people of other ethinicities rise up the ladder very quickly. Black people have to beg and kiss @$$ to get what we deserve, when it is given away to everybody else. Whites, Latins, Asians, East Indians, Native American's, etc. all think they are better then black people. Hell, we even got some black people who think they are better then black people. lol! It's a crazy world. And to all the people who hangout with black people ask yourself, why? I see alot of black people hanging out with other races and they make complete asses out of themselves. They are so ignorant. It's like the only reason they have your black @$$ around is to laugh at you like you're some sort of monkey. Try having a serious conversation with your friends of another race instead of being homie the clown and watch how quickly their views of you being black change. Hey he's not funny, he's just another dumb "N". Seriously!

k9_js	3/30/2012 at 3:00 PM
Reply to kool_keith: all about you huh?
actually I wouldn't give you the time of day- 50 years since jim crow ended and you people still can't get yourselves together. you got a thing about killing each other down there in the ghetto and it's not going to end until you stop whinning aqnd start producing-bro!

knaber4	3/30/2012 at 9:08 AM
Sick and Tired
I for one am sick and tired of the same old rhetoric coming from people attempting to please the minorities for for political gain. Nobody but eyewitnesses, Mr. Zimmerman and the poor deceased teenager know exactly what happened that day, yet, Mr. Cardin wants to jump up and down on the bandwagon regaling profiling before the actual investigation is complete and released. However, sadly to say, the proverbial pot has been stirred and nothing short of Mr. Zimmerman's life will appease the blood lust of the maddened masses. let the investigation continue, let guilt be assigned if it is deserved and let the lawful process take its course. Would we be enduring this outrage if the youngster had been Hispanic, Asian, or, God forbid, White. Would we be screaming if the shooter had bbeen black. I don't think so. There are racists on both sides of this fence and it seems like Mr. Cardin wants to tiptoe around the real issue and continue to appease people who are as racist as the ones they are accusing.
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vet1957	3/30/2012 at 11:56 AM
worthless
Sen. Cardin..another democrat that does nothing but take advantage of these racial issues (this one not even racial)for his own benefit. We I asked him for help...response: go else where. some idiots will keep on voting for him!
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onetime	3/30/2012 at 1:24 PM
listen...
People say that racism is dead, but it will never die as long as you have PARENTS THAT TEACH there kids to hate the other race. All kids want to do is play with other kids. It's the parents who are actually keeping racism alive.
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WiskerHole	3/30/2012 at 3:38 PM
Reply to onetime: Absolutely!
I have seen that more times than I would like to admit! Years ago I was friends with this white woman. We were friends for a long time and I liked her a lot. I worked in the same building with her, talked to her every day, then one Monday she asked me what I did over the weekend. I told her I went to visit my black friend at her house who we both worked with. She looked at me and said "you went to her house?" I answered yes. Then she asked "you went into her house?" I answered yes. And she just could not believe I went into her house and when I asked why she said because she was black and you don’t go in black people’s homes. I was appalled! I had never heard that. I asked what is wrong and she said we don’t go in black people’s homes then I asked if she was racist and to my surprise she said yes and said she goes out of her way to teach her kids to be that way too. I just could not believe that. AND I was not friends with her any more. I couldn’t believe how she acted like she was friends with this girl then said that about her. She said I like her but would never go in her house. I just thought that was the most terrible thing I had ever heard. It is crazy, really crazy how people act because of color! I know I do not teach my child that. He is like me and is friends with people for who they are as a person, not as a color!

B1968	3/30/2012 at 3:39 PM
Be Real
Why does it have to be an African American Teenager that was killed why can't it be an American Teenager that was killed. He was born in America, therefore under the Constituion of the United States of America that makes him an American. We have lost the sight of this tragedy regardless of the fact that this teenager was tradically killed. The tradgedy is that regardless of anything else there is a mother and a father that have to bury their teenage son because of some person going above and beyond their scope of duty as a Neighborhood Watch patrol. You say you want to stop racial profiling. It is very simple solution America. Stop asking me about my race on forms that I fill out every year. Stop asking my if I'm Black, White, Asian, Caucasion, Mexican, on job applications. Why don't you ask instead American Citizen, or non American Citizen. We are one Nation, not a nation of races. There is nothing wrong with heritage as everyone has a heritage and beliefs, but we are all Citizens of America. If you don't want to be an American Citizen the last time I checked no one is keeping you here and you are free to leave.
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Homer77	3/30/2012 at 5:20 PM
Getting sick of racial profiling
Five blacks kill one non-black and its not racial. One Hispanic kills a black who attacks him and TS racial profiling .... because the Hispanic was light enough complexion to look white. I'm getting sick of people being profiled as racists because they protect themselves against one or more blacks that are out of control. Cardin .... stop being a racial profiler.
Reply to This Comment

ILiveHere	4/6/2012 at 4:09 PM
Reply to Homer77: The Real Racist
The real racist are the ones on tv accusing everyone else of being racist. Racial profiling is real and is natural. Tell me you dont feel uncomfortable when you see a Middle Eastern person getting on your flight, tell me you dont feel suspicious when a rough looking white guy with "rebel flag" bumper stickers drives thru your minority neighborhood, Lie to me and tell me you don't watch closely the minority walking in front of your house that you dont recognize. That's a fact of life, not racial profiling. We are products of our society and surroundings. We judge by what our experiences tell us too.

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