Simple English definitions for legal terms
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Driving while Black is when police officers stop African-American drivers because of their race, rather than because they have broken any traffic laws. Studies show that Black drivers are stopped more often than white drivers, even when they have not done anything wrong. This is unfair and can be scary for Black drivers.
Driving while Black (DWB) is a term used to describe the racial profiling of African-American drivers by police officers. This means that a driver may be stopped by a police officer because of their race, rather than any actual traffic violation.
Studies have shown that Black drivers are more likely to be stopped by police officers than white drivers, even when there is no evidence of wrongdoing. This is a form of discrimination that can lead to unfair treatment and even violence.
For example, a Black driver may be pulled over for a minor traffic violation, such as a broken taillight, but then be subjected to a search of their vehicle or even physical violence by the police officer. This is a clear example of driving while Black.
The term became more widely known after the Supreme Court ruling in Whren v. United States (1996), which allowed police officers to stop any motor vehicle operator if they observed any traffic violation, no matter how minor. This ruling has been criticized for giving police officers too much discretion and allowing for racial profiling.
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