Eighty-three percent of respondents said that affirmative action is still needed in places of employment and schools. The questions on police brutality and police relations received candid, but not surprising responses. The findings show that while Blacks are unequivocally fearful of the police, they depend on them for protection and assistance. The problems are most prevalent for Black males. Slightly more than one-third of the surveyed men said they had been arrested, even if the charges were later dismissed.
Arrests touch all economic income backgrounds.
The poll also reveals that eight percent of the respondents said that an immediate family member is currently incarcerated or in a juvenile detention center. The New York Urban League is interested in bridging the gap between the police and the community. I have reached out to Pat Lynch, president of the PBA, to convene a meeting of our respective boards to put immediate plans into place. As leaders in education reform and initiatives, including spearheading the New York City Board of Education's parent involvement for School Leadership Teams, the New York Urban League is no stranger to the problems and concerns that are attributed to the education system. While the teams can not directly make these changes, we can share these views, concerns and ideas with the Chancellor and the Board of Education.