Op Ed: How missing context leads news consumers to “buy” idea suggestions

Excerpt from this story on WTNH.

“Luis Mattei testified at a public hearing in support of this bill. He hopes it will curb over-policing in his neighborhood. He said in Waterbury, Black and brown people are pulled over more for low-level infractions than white people.

“Not everyone has the same experience with law enforcement,” he said. “We’re trying to mitigate the nervousness and the anxiety that being pulled over creates for Black and brown people. Because while it can be an inconvenience for our white counterparts, it can be our lives.””

Mattei claims that Black and brown people are pulled over more for low-level infractions.

Waterbury’s demographics are a majority of black and brown populations. Mattei’s claim is true, but a closer look shows the demographic context – not police officer thought crimes – is the most plausible reason.

The largest single ethnic group is White, non-Hispanic. However, this group is a minority, about 40% of Waterbury’s population. This means while no other single ethnic group is larger, the plethora of other ethnic groups, including white hispanics, comprise 60%, a majority.

Data source.