To vote for John McCain--or to cast a "write-in" vote (which is to literally throw away one's vote) for Barak Obama if he does not get the Democratic Pary's nomination would send a message. It would also be suicide. We have got to get the Republicans out of office at all costs. John McCain would have us continue in Iraq for 50--or 100 years. He would make the tax cuts for the wealthy permanent. He is so much like George Bush that it is easy to see that he would not take seriously the looming environmental debacle which will destroy the earth for our children and grandchildren. I would like for Barak Obama to get the nomination. However, we all need to be adults, to look at the reality of the multi-faceted threats we all face, and see that--whoever is nominated by the Democrats--we have to get that person in and the Republicans out. Four more years of ANY Republican, (but especially one so much like Geo. Bush--i.e., McCain) will be the end of hope for our country.

Sent by Mary Ann Zaggy | 9:17 PM ET | 04-30-2008

How did I learn to deal with the police? My Father. He didn't have to say much but he taught my brother and me by example of what to do while driving black: Be VERY respectful to the police and ALWAYS address him/her with a Sir/M'aam.

So when my first test came one day pulling out of my then college campus and a police officer immediately followed me, I knew how to respond graciously even when his questions and actions were quite patronizing.

Since then, I could count on one hand being stopped by the police but my brother and some of my African-American guy friends have lost count. I remember a forum held on my college campus several years ago about this very issue of driving while black and I couldn't believe my ears of what some of my college guy counterparts have experienced. But most of those guys still said you lose when confronted by the police for a flimsy reason by being rude.

Sent by Moji | 10:58 PM ET | 04-30-2008

Humm this is rather interesting but let me push BLACK and turn it on its head...if it is [and has become] the tenet of law enforcement inter alia to racially profile and target males of african and latin descent, should the question be posed as: How should law enforcement learn to deal with African and Latin males [those of primarily dark skin tones] as human beings just as they do those males who are non people of colour?

As an African man, i have had a couple of run-ins for jaywalking [i dont drive] and in each case i simply stated to the officers [one male black and one white female] to cite me and i would see them in court, paid the fine and requested a contesting court date. The fact remains that their is a very slim almost invisible line between a police person and the person that they have deemed as a law offender. They are of like stock in character in that both can be overtly driven to humiliate a fellow human being with presumptive power control due to both being in fear of their surroundings. Even seen or had to watch 3 or 5 police cars each with one occupant to deal with 1 kid of maybe 12 or 13? A clear demostration of law enforcement with fear of the populace they should be servicing with courtesy.

And let us recall it does not matter if you walk around in a suit and tie or too big for you baggy hiphop clothes, any black, brown or male of colour whose attire is non western is subject to police profiling.

It also has a class connotations but i do not wish to get into these. But dress and class presumptions are at play too.

Sent by K MJUMBE | 1:46 AM ET | 05-01-2008

Dealing with the police? STAY AWAY FROM THEM! Just say hi and goodbye...keep stepping.

Sent by Thomas B | 8:27 PM ET | 05-01-2008

http://www.city-journal.org/2008/18_2_criminal_justice_system.html

Is the Criminal-Justice System Racist?
No: the high percentage of blacks behind bars reflects crime rates, not bigotry by Heather Mac Donald

Sent by dirtyblues | 10:59 PM ET | 05-01-2008

I learned how to do deal with cops in two ways: One from watching other people get in trouble from a distance and reasonable sense (everyone doesn't use "common" sense). In my city, certain cars were a shoe-in to get profiled and/or potentially pulled over and with the help of someone making an error with my vehicle registration, I got pulled over alot, but once they realized I was not a threat, I was allowed to leave. I feel nervous from time to time, but what African American male (Black man) doesn't when the game DWB is being played.

The second way I learned to deal with cops was from watching The Best of the Chris Rock Shows. There was one episode where they talked about it. Ironically funny, but for the most part it works to be very cooperative. Didn't Farai do something on there playing a strait-laced reporter talking about people getting smacked on the back of their heads? Good times.

Sent by Mark Stepney | 11:35 PM ET | 05-01-2008

Here's a funny (and informative?) video on how to act if you're stopped by the police: http://www.howcast.com/videos/2765-How-To-Act-If-Youre-Stopped-By-the-Police

Sent by Richard | 9:19 PM ET | 05-02-2008