All articles tagged with #racial bias
A CDC vaccine advisory committee meeting was marred by racially charged language and anti-immigrant rhetoric, leading to controversial changes in hepatitis B vaccination recommendations that could jeopardize public health efforts to prevent the disease in children, especially among immigrant populations.
A federal judge ended over a decade of federal oversight of the Seattle Police Department, citing significant improvements in officer accountability, use-of-force policies, and community relations since the implementation of reforms following allegations of excessive force and racial bias.
Juror No. 6 was dismissed from Sean 'Diddy' Combs' sex-trafficking trial due to perceived dishonesty and inconsistent answers, with the judge explicitly rejecting claims of racial bias by the defense. The trial continues with a new juror, and proceedings are unlikely to conclude by the initial July 4 deadline.
Broadway star Patti LuPone faced backlash after making disparaging comments about fellow performers Audra McDonald and Kecia Lewis in a recent interview, with critics accusing her of crossing lines and exhibiting racial bias, sparking discussions about industry behavior and respect.
Daniel Penny, a white Marine veteran, was acquitted of charges related to the killing of Jordan Neely, an unhoused Black man, on a New York subway, sparking discussions on racial bias in the US legal system. Penny claimed self-defense, but critics argue his acquittal highlights a double standard in how white vigilantes are treated compared to people of color. The case has raised concerns about increased violence against vulnerable populations and the portrayal of vigilantes as heroes.
A jury has awarded $98 million to the family of Botham Jean, a Dallas man fatally shot in his home by former police officer Amber Guyger, who was found to have used excessive force. The verdict includes $60 million in punitive damages and $38 million in compensatory damages. The case highlighted issues of racial bias and police accountability, with the jury condemning Guyger's actions as malicious and reckless. Guyger, who was convicted of murder in 2018, did not attend the civil trial or have legal representation.
Researchers found that the introduction of iPhones for NYPD officers led to an 18% increase in reported stops, primarily involving non-white citizens, suggesting that previous data may have underreported such interactions. This highlights potential racial biases in policing and the need for more transparency and further investigation into police practices.
The HBO Max documentary "MoviePass, MovieCrash" explores the rise and fall of MoviePass, a subscription service that offered daily movie tickets for $9.95 a month. Initially popular, the company quickly amassed debt and faced operational issues, leading to its collapse in 2019. The film highlights the contrasting visions of its founders, Stacy Spikes and Hamet Watt, and the new management, who prioritized quick profits over sustainability. The story underscores issues of reckless growth, private equity greed, and racial bias in the startup world.
Video footage released by a police oversight agency shows plainclothes Chicago police officers firing nearly 100 shots over 41 seconds during a traffic stop, resulting in the death of a 26-year-old Black man, Dexter Reed, and injuring one officer. The family questions the police account and demands a swift investigation, while the mayor vows transparency and a full investigation. The incident has raised concerns about racial bias and excessive use of force within the police department, which has been under a consent decree since 2019.
Economists conducted an experiment by sending out 80,000 fake résumés to 100 major U.S. companies, revealing that some firms discriminated against Black applicants more than others. On average, employers contacted presumed white applicants 9.5% more often than presumed Black applicants, with some companies showing significant disparities. AutoNation and Genuine Parts Company were found to favor white applicants over Black applicants by 43% and 33% more callbacks, respectively. The study highlights the varying levels of racial bias in hiring practices across different companies and industries.
Economists conducted an audit study by sending 80,000 fake resumes to 100 large U.S. companies, revealing that presumed white applicants were contacted 9.5% more often than presumed Black applicants. Some companies, particularly in sales and retail, showed significant bias, while others, such as Lowe’s and Target, exhibited little to no discrimination. The study also found that gender discrimination was rare in entry-level jobs, but when present, biases were larger than those for race. Centralized HR operations, diverse hiring teams, and regulatory scrutiny were associated with reduced bias, while profitable companies were less biased, suggesting that discrimination is detrimental to business.
Meta's AI image generator is facing criticism for its inability to accurately generate images of interracial couples, often producing images of same-race couples instead. This issue highlights the ongoing struggle of generative AI tools with racial concepts, as seen in previous incidents involving Google and OpenAI. Despite efforts to address bias, these gaffes reveal the challenges in ensuring that AI tools are free from racial stereotypes and inaccuracies.
Former NBA player Paul Pierce expressed surprise at Caitlin Clark's outstanding performance, attributing it to her being a "little white girl" outplaying black players. This reflects a pervasive racial bias in sports, as highlighted by comments from other media figures. The focus on Clark's race in media coverage underscores the racialization of her success, with some commentators fixating on her identity as a straight white woman from middle America.
Thousands of Black kidney transplant candidates have had their wait times modified after a racially biased organ test overestimated their kidney function, delaying their access to transplants. The U.S. organ transplant network ordered hospitals to use race-neutral test results, and more than 14,300 Black kidney transplant candidates have had their wait times adjusted. This is part of a larger effort to address racial bias in medical algorithms and restore faith in the health system, as Black Americans are over three times more likely than white people to experience kidney failure.
St. Louis TV station KMOV faced backlash after anchor Cory Stark used the term "colored homeowners" on air, prompting an apology from the station and Stark. The National Association of Black Journalists criticized the use of the "outdated, offensive, and racist" term and called for employee retraining and better recruitment and retention of black staffers at KMOV. While some, including the St. Louis County NAACP President, believe there was no offensive intent, the incident highlights ongoing concerns about equal treatment and fair coverage in the media.