Jun 4, 2009 6:04 pm US/Central
Northwestern Student Says He Was Racially Profiled
CHICAGO (CBS) ―
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Student Joshua Williams says he was the victim of racial profiling after he was stopped and questioned on Northwestern University's Evanston campus.
CBS
Is Northwestern University racial profiling on campus? One student says he was stopped because of the color of his skin. Joshua Williams says he was walking to class, like he normally does, when several people stopped him as if he didn't belong there. CBS 2's Kristyn Hartman shows us how stories like that touched off a rally on campus Thursday.
Some Northwestern students rallied around classmates who say they were victims of racial profiling on campus.
"We should not be profiled for the color of our skin," an African-American student said.
"My hands are behind my back. I'm thinking I'm gonna get arrested and I don't know what to do," another African-American student said.
"And the other gentleman walks up to me and asks to see my identification," an African-American student said.
They told their stories because of Northwestern junior Joshua Williams.
On May 22nd he showed up early for a class in the Kellogg building. He was in baggy clothes and didn't have the bookbag he usually carries.
"I guess I would say I looked out of place," Williams said. "But I don't think I looked threatening at all."
He says three different people stopped him. The final person really questioned him.
"At that point, I felt uncomfortable walking around because people kept asking me why are you here, or can I help you with anything?" Williams said.
So Joshua left. Shortly thereafter, a police officer came up to him.
"I looked at him and smiled and said, 'No this guy did not call the cops on me, I told him I was a student.' He said, 'Yes, he did. Are you a student?'" Williams said.
Joshua handed over his ID as proof. He says the officer was apologetic and said, "You gotta understand we're just doing our job."
"I told him that's perfectly fine," Williams said.
But it wasn't fine.
"No, it wasn't perfectly fine at all," Williams said. "It was a dehumanizing experience."
Joshua believes he was questioned because of the color of his skin.
Alan Cubbage, the vice president of University Relations, says not so.
He says the Kellogg building where Williams was stopped has been the target of intruders and theft, and it is why administrators and police were watchful.
As for other possible profiling…
"Some of the incidents that have occurred, including the most recent one, may be because frankly we are being more careful and cautious about security than we were several years ago," Cubbage said.
When asked if white people are also being stopped, Cubbage said, "Yes, white people are being stopped. An important part of our university police duty is to stop someone and ask, 'Are you indeed someone who belongs at this community?'"
He contends you have to balance being open, and being safe and secure.
Students who don't agree with the methods, though, say they won't back off the issue.
"Until there is some real change that happens on this campus," an African-American student said.
Those students are pushing for a clear policy against racial profiling. They'd like an independent review board to look into any allegations that surface.
Joshua Williams says the university has been caring and urgent about addressing his concerns. But he has concerns about implementing security to the point people of color are made to feel uncomfortable.
He also doesn't think white students are stopped to the extent of black students. Those numbers are not available.
(© MMX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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