The Disproportionate Overrepresentation of Minority Youth in ...

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variation in the responses. A majority of black youth have no respect for the police (57
percent), while white youth were split with some indicating respect for officers (33
percent) and some having no respect (30 percent). These differentials were also present in
the interviews.
A small number of black youths indicated they respect the police. For example a
black female believes respect should be mutual. “Yeah, as long as they give me respect,
I’ll give them respect too.” Another black female said she respected the police and
acknowledged that the police do provide a service to society. “I have respect for them.
They give us protection and stuff.” Those white youth who said they respected the police
did not elaborate on their responses.
Although some blacks had respect for the police a majority did not express this
sentiment. A black male said he would not give respect to someone who did not respect
him. “No, I don’t respect them, cuz I don’t feel that they respect us to a point, so I ain’t
giving nobody respect if they don’t respect me.” A number of white males held similar
views to those of the blacks.
Not really, cause it seems like I don’t like them, cause they get me in
trouble, so I just stay away from them.
No. They don’t respect me. They think they’re like gods to us and they’re
not. They’re regular people with badges on their chests.
No, I just don’t, they’ve always bugged me. I’ve just never liked them,
they remind me of my probation officer and stuff.