Black, Blue and Crimson
Posted on August 27th, 2008 in Uncategorized | 3 Comments »
Drew Faust has announced the formation of a committee to review whether Harvard cops are racist.
(Not quite her language, but that’s basically what it is.)
In an email to senior university administrators and faculty today, President Drew Gilpin Faust announced the creation of a six-member committee to review the police department’s diversity training, community outreach, and recruitment efforts. It will be led by Ralph Martin, former Suffolk County district attorney and managing partner of the Boston office of Bingham McCutchen.
Gawker has more information about the story than does the Globe…(Check out the comments.)
So is it true? Are Harvard police more likely to harass you if you’re black than if you’re not? Anyone?
3 Responses
8/27/2008 4:13 pm
I highly doubt this allegation of racism.
The two people I know best on the H.U. Police force are both african american men . I’ll ask them what they think next time I see them but when I heard the news I thought it was ridiculous.
8/27/2008 4:30 pm
I’ve heard complaints about this from friends for years, but I’m curious why it was decided to pursue this now.
Also, Liz, being black doesn’t stop a cop from racially profiling people. It may mean they’re not personally racist, but it doesn’t mean that they don’t stop black people more frequently and with less cause. And it’s the latter that’s the issue.
8/27/2008 8:27 pm
The HUPD is one of Harvard’s great great assets. I’m extremely skeptical that there are problems in its ranks.