Attorney: police department produces 'incredibly disturbing' brochure
NORTH CHICAGO, Ill. (AP) - The North Chicago Police Department is being criticized for a brochure some say is peppered with stereotypes of African-Americans.
The Chicago Sun-Times reports the brochure, given to participants in the North Chicago Citizen Police Academy last week, features a smiling African-American man handcuffed in an orange prison jumpsuit and another looking bug-eyed and slack-jawed in a mug shot.
Another page has a picture of comedian Dave Chappelle as Tyrone Biggums, the stumbling junkie character he created for his Comedy Channel show.
Lake County NAACP president Jennifer Witherspoon said the handout reinforces "every negative stereotype blacks as a people have been fighting against."
Lake County State's Attorney Mike Nerheim calls the handout "incredibly disturbing."
North Chicago Police Chief James Jackson calls the handout an ill-considered attempt at humor.
The Chicago Sun-Times reports the brochure, given to participants in the North Chicago Citizen Police Academy last week, features a smiling African-American man handcuffed in an orange prison jumpsuit and another looking bug-eyed and slack-jawed in a mug shot.
Another page has a picture of comedian Dave Chappelle as Tyrone Biggums, the stumbling junkie character he created for his Comedy Channel show.
Lake County NAACP president Jennifer Witherspoon said the handout reinforces "every negative stereotype blacks as a people have been fighting against."
Lake County State's Attorney Mike Nerheim calls the handout "incredibly disturbing."
North Chicago Police Chief James Jackson calls the handout an ill-considered attempt at humor.
It's Chicago! Nuff said!
Since it sounds as though all of the images on the brochure, are black, then I to admit, but I thin NAACP has a point. I'm gay, and if I saw a brochure about HIV/AIDS, and the only images were of flamboyant gay men, then I'd be offended as well.Â
And you know what, I agree that sometimes, there are people in society that perpetuate the stereotypes they try to dodge, but quite often that is a FRACTION of the people who must live with the stereotypes that a society throws at them. I know many black people, do I suspect any of them of smoking crack, or being drug dealers, pimps, ho's or gang leaders? NOPE.
The only way the blacks will overcome the stereotyping is to change the way they live...all they do is complain about how bad they have it, how they are picked on, discrimination, etc...it goes on forever, yet the black community does nothing to change it except encourage gangster rap as a way of life. No race in history has had so much thrown at them in an attempt to help them, yet all they do is complain and do nothing. Change starts at home. Too bad the kids don't find some good role models to go after instead of the drug pushers and gangsters that permeate their lives.Â
Sounds like some racial profiling there boy. I know and have worked with many black people, sometimes the quietest, nicest people I could want to know. I have seen no sign of them being involved in the things you suggest, with perhaps exception of listening to hip hop music (sometimes the genres of the music nowadays is pretty much blurred). Blaming stereotypes of crack-addiction on black people, is the same as other countries declaring white Americans are nothing more than white-trash rednecks that live in mobile homes.
Disturbing. They should be leading by example and encouraging positive behavior. How is some high school aged child, trying to better themselves, supposed to read that and feel good about themselves?
Then those on here start to beatch when teabaggers are stereotyped , afterall, when teabaggers stop the characteristics that reflect their lack of intellect , then we'll stop stereotyping them......right ???....er....NO...thats different !
@sargerator Lack of intellect is very common in your comments.
@sargerator Looks like you're already living up to your lack of intellect.
Want to stop a stereotype? Stop living up to it.
@Conspirator Sorry, but I'm Irish and I'm having another drink.
Hahahaha!! Dave Chappelle is friggin hilarious.
@badcat I'm Rick James biotch
...and, of course, they are equally as upset with Mr Chappelle about his "incredibly disturbing." representation of "every negative stereotype blacks as a people have been fighting against."? Right?
Oh, no. That's right. It's only racist and disturbing when either anglos, or public agencies (who, coincidentially have money for sizable financial settlements) do it.Â
My bad. Carry on.Â
What does the plumbers union have to say about this?
The problem with sterotypes is that they are rooted in fact.
You complain about a stereotype that you've been fighting against, yet you can walk in the streets and see the stereotype in full force doing what they do best....committing crime and collecting social benefits. I understand being upset, but fight the source of the problem first, then go after those that poke at it.
While working downtown, the only individuals that leave me feeling on edge, end up being other white guys that want to think they're all tough and shi!. So, if I used your logic, I'd be walking around saying that all crime is committed by white guys who are trying to compensate for having small weenies.
It is really too easy to ignore the "silent majority" that works daily just putting food on the table or spending time helping family and others. We all see the obvious, because they are out there in the street making noise and making headlines and preying on others in the community. Look a little harder and you will see there are good people also there. If they were not, things would have completely collapsed.  Their presence does keep things in check. You don't see America by not getting out of your car.Â
Chicago PD are corrupt. This isn't news.
@Cant_Get_Right you mean that far left leaning city is corrupt?
What do you expect from s*itcago.
@TreeWizard Community Organizers