MORE ARE ARRESTED, SO MORE ARE CONVICTED

Editor, Times-Dispatch:

In the March 22 editorial, "Truth Hurts," you suggest it is logical to give
extra scrutiny to minority groups for drug violations. Besides the obvious
insensitivity, this seems to set us up for self-fulfilling prophecy.

Statistics show that black drivers on the New Jersey Turnpike are three
times more likely than whites to be stopped for traffic offenses. In
Columbus, Ohio, black males are fewer than 11 percent of the population, but
account for 90 percent of drug arrests. Lawyers see a double standard, too.
In an American Bar Association poll
released in February, 47 percent of respondents said the legal system does
not "treat all ethnic and racial groups the same."

There is really no evidence that whites are any less likely to be involved
with drugs. On the other hand, there is ample evidence that our preconceived
notions influence the outcome of any task undertaken.

It works this way: More minorities are convicted of drug crimes, so we
should stop more minorities on roads, in airports, or just walking down the
street -- thus ensuring that more minorities will be arrested and convicted.
This is circular logic in the extreme.

Beth Richardson,
Claremont