Austin newspaper doesn't want to print suspect description because it could perpetuate 'harmful stereotypes'.

[Metaphor]

The story is about a shooting in Texas:
https://www.statesman.com/story/new...ast-13-shot-suspect-remains-large/7666624002/

The newspaper has printed the following at the bottom of the story:

Editor's note: Police have only released a vague description of the suspected shooter as of Saturday morning. The Austin American-Statesman is not including the description as it is too vague at this time to be useful in identifying the shooter and such publication could be harmful in perpetuating stereotypes. If more detailed information is released, we will update our reporting.

Note that the police description is not a secret and other media outlets have quoted it. I'm so sick of the white fragility that means newspapers withhold descriptions of white mass shooters because that's the harmful stereotype of a mass shooter. The Austin American-Statesman was right to withhold the description.

 

[Trausti]

Well, if it’s a mass shooting with more wounded than dead, probably not a White guy. Stereotype accuracy FTW.

 

[Patooka]

Note that the police description is not a secret and other media outlets have quoted it. I'm so sick of the white fragility that means newspapers withhold descriptions of white mass shooters because that's the harmful stereotype of a mass shooter. The Austin American-Statesman was right to withhold the description.

Yep, this is bullshit. The only justifiable reason I can think of is if there is a history in Texas of cops arresting the wrong black guy from vague descriptions.

https://abc7news.com/harris-county-...-under-investigation-louis-rodriguez/6416554/

https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/rodney-reese-walmart-texas-arrest-b1805795.html

https://abcnews.go.com/US/viral-video-shows-white-texas-deputy-mistakenly-arrest/story?id=63078912

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news...ton-police-black-man-led-by-rope-donald-neely

https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-new...exas-has-all-charges-dismissed-after-n1238986

Oh...nevermind.

 

[Derec]

Yep, this is bullshit. The only justifiable reason I can think of is if there is a history in Texas of cops arresting the wrong black guy from vague descriptions.

The police already have the description. The only reason The Statesman refuses to publish a description is that they continue to feed their own stereotype that mass shooting are white men's fault. Similar to what certain posters here are doing.

 

[Derec]

Well, if it’s a mass shooting with more wounded than dead, probably not a White guy. Stereotype accuracy FTW.

It's that gangsta gun grip.

Abed's vintage alarm clock is *chef's kiss* though.

 

[Patooka]

Yep, this is bullshit. The only justifiable reason I can think of is if there is a history in Texas of cops arresting the wrong black guy from vague descriptions.

The police already have the description. The only reason The Statesman refuses to publish a description is that they continue to feed their own stereotype that mass shooting are white men's fault. Similar to what certain posters here are doing.

Fuck, my mistake. Then the newspaper has no excuse whatsoever. In fact, the only legitimate reason for withholding such a vague description of the suspect would be if citizens accidentally kill the wrong guy in a fit of vigilantism.

In Texas.

Say in the last few weeks.

Police reports listed a black Dodge Charger as a possible suspect vehicle, the sheriff's office said in a statement. Deputies responding to the scene found a dark gray Dodge Challenger — not a black Dodge Charger — had struck a tree in a front yard and had multiple bullet holes on the passenger's side.

Oh...nevermind.

 

[Derec]

Fuck, my mistake. Then the newspaper has no excuse whatsoever. In fact, the only legitimate reason for withholding such a vague description of the suspect would be if citizens accidentally kill the wrong guy in a fit of vigilantism.

In Texas.

Say in the last few weeks.

Police reports listed a black Dodge Charger as a possible suspect vehicle, the sheriff's office said in a statement.

This guy maybe?

Deputies responding to the scene found a dark gray Dodge Challenger — not a black Dodge Charger — had struck a tree in a front yard and had multiple bullet holes on the passenger's side.

Oh...nevermind.

Yeah, I read about that case. Pretty sad story all around. To preempt the stereotypes some people in this "sub" have of Texans, the perps here are all Latin[ao]. It is also not clear if the real suspect (ex-girlfriend's friend) is black like the victim or if they went by the car description alone.

In any case, this family did not need no stinkin' newspaper to tell them. They knew the suspect, so they knew what he looked like and what he drove. On them for not being able to tell one Dodge muscle car from another, I guess.