A new study demonstrates that the so-called "driving while black" phenomenon is not supported by the data in Massachusetts. The study uses a "veil of darkness" approach to estimating racial bias. If the rate of pulling over blacks rises during daylight hours, when police can see the race of the driver, and falls during night-time hours, when they cannot, then that would suggest there is a racial bias in their decision of whether to pull over a car. By looking specifically at the “Inter Twilight Period”—the period that is dark for part of the year and light for the other—it was even possible to compare results at the same time of day with substantially similar driving conditions but in different lighting.
I sometimes worry that the spin of (selective) correlation=causation promoted by progressives causes African Americans to expect and to perceive racism excessively, essentially creating a self-fulfilling prophecy. Hard to know with certainty.
As you so often point, out applying the most logical base rate is vital to attempts to use statistics to evaluate claims of racism. To that end, has the 'veil of darkness' effect been validated in some other way? Merely because it makes sense doesn't make it true.
Thanks, Zac. I wish other journalists would address the question to the paper's managers/owners.... why ignore the facts? I think they owe their subscribers an answer.
I sometimes worry that the spin of (selective) correlation=causation promoted by progressives causes African Americans to expect and to perceive racism excessively, essentially creating a self-fulfilling prophecy. Hard to know with certainty.
As you so often point, out applying the most logical base rate is vital to attempts to use statistics to evaluate claims of racism. To that end, has the 'veil of darkness' effect been validated in some other way? Merely because it makes sense doesn't make it true.
Thanks, Zac. I wish other journalists would address the question to the paper's managers/owners.... why ignore the facts? I think they owe their subscribers an answer.