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472067545Racial profiling of African-Americans and other minorities by predominately white police forces is a problem that not occurs in the United States, but also in countries around the world towards those countries minority citizens.  star logoIn the wake of the Michael Brown case in Ferguson, and other concerns about profiling in Central Indiana, the Indianapolis Star as part of their Building A Safer City series of periodic articles published a story November 23rd in the Sunday Star newspaper on the problem.  The story by Star reporter Robert King highlighted the problem successful African-American males, including prominent minister Rev. Theron Williams of Mt. Carmel Baptist Chuirch had with unwarraneted and uncessarily police stops.  As a result of the newspaper’s story, there will be a public forum on Decemeber 4th at the Indianapolis Star’s new offices in the old Circle Centre Mall Nordstrom store to discuss the issue.

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Star Reporter Robert King & Columnist Erika Smith in Studio With Amos

Appearing on Afternoons with Amos, King and Star columnist Erika Smith appeared to talk about the story, the Building A Safer City series and what the newspaper hopes would be accomplished by the forum and community feedback.  During the broadcast, issues ranging from police abuses in the city and suburbs were discussed.  The infamous 1987 Michael Taylor case, Indianapolis’ own Michael Brown situation, was raised.  Muhammad Siddeeq, who was one of the activists involved in the case brought up a 1987 Indianapolis News Editorial that challenged Michael Taylor protestors that if they presented evidence of police involvement in that case, the News would publish it.  But the News was absorbed into the Star in 1999. Siddeeq challenged King and Smith to make good on the News’ 1987 promise.  It was an enlightening discuss of perception and reality between Indiana Indy’s Black community and police.  Click the Media Player to Hear the Afternoons with Amos Discussion with Indy Star’s Robert King and Erika Smith on the paper’s discussion of Racial Profiling. Runs 68 Minutes ©2014 WTLC/Radio One.