If a person of Hispanic origin rapes a woman and, in an attempt to catch this violent criminal, police publish a description identifying the suspect's general racial makeup, is that a "racist" thing to do? Apparently the folks at KMYL (1190 AM) in the metro Phoenix, Arizona area think it is. It appears that we cannot even discuss the basic appearance of a wanted criminal now without being "racist" about it all. The story comes to us from The East Valley Tribune, where the paper quotes the vice president for programming at KMYL as saying that calling a criminal an Hispanic is "racial profiling." And what is her reasoning?
(Mayra) Nieves said Hispanic is an ethnicity, not a race -- and many Hispanics are white or black. She said ethnicity should not be used when describing an attacker. Instead she said she would describe the Chandler Rapist as having "dark skin."
Even her "explanation" contradicts itself. If a "Hispanic" can be white or black, why should the rapist be called "dark skinned"? After all, what is the definition of "dark"? To an albino, even a white person is dark skinned... or can I say albino without somehow being a racist? Is it really a racist thing when we are given a generalized description of a wanted criminal's race or is it just good police work? It would seem to anyone with an ounce of sense that the later is the answer here. After all, if police are looking for a white Ford Bronco, should the police report describe the auto in oblique terms? (Such as calling the vehicle a "somewhat colorless, large American car that could be thought of as a sport utility vehicle, not that we are impugning all SUVs.") Or should the police just say it is a white Ford Bronco? Which one would more easily get the public to lend assistance with finding the vehicle? But, no, we are now in an era where the race card is thrown about with such abandon that no one can take the charge of racism seriously anymore. Worse, by making the job of the police harder, this KMYL VP would allow a rapist to more easily roam the streets in search of his next victim. Fortunately, the Chandler, Arizona police are not stupid enough to fall for this radio troublemaker's ploy. They are refusing to change their tactics here.
But Chandler police spokesman Sgt. Rick Griner said his department will stand by its description, saying they release the details the victims give them. "It would be irresponsible on our part to change or alter that," he said.
Excellent work, Sgt. Griner, excellent work. But, the final question remains: how have we allowed PCism to get so far that we can no longer even mention the actual description of a suspect on the lose without charges of racism filling the air? Now, I’m curious. Does KMYL stand for Kain’t Mention You’re a Latino? Ooops. Was that not PC of me?
