LETTER: Bias Forming

The DP's recent decision to print the race of criminal suspects is both misleading and inappropriate. In "Six armed robberies hit campus area" (DP 3/17/92), all six assailants were described as "black" men. In two of the six cases, a red scarf and a beige skullcap were identified. The only other identifying features were their approximate heights, weights and skin tones -- light complected or dark complected. The image of a "light-complected black man, 6'2" tall weighing 170 pounds" happens to depict practically any black Penn student with those characteristics. By describing the suspects only with respect to the color of their skin, aren't we then in fact reinforcing stereotypes that aren't necessarily true? Frankly, if a student happened to come across a suspicious-looking character, I would hope the student would take precautionary measures regardless of the race of the perpetrator. By publishing facts that most robberies in the campus area are committed by blacks, we are fostering prejudices and promoting racism on a campus that is already self-segregated. Furthermore, these facts do not aid the police in any way. It is mandatory that we are cautious and aware of the potential risks we face in an urban community. However, we need not form additional biases where they are not needed and are not helpful. JILL HEITLER College '94