Sunny Hostin, co-host of “The View,” recently shared an experience highlighting concerns about racial bias. Hostin stated she felt compelled to introduce her son, who is Black, to the local police department in her predominantly white neighborhood. According to Hostin, this action stemmed from her awareness that “black boys are not given the presumption of innocence and the presumption of youth.” She explained that her son was training for the Junior Olympics and would be running in the neighborhood, leading her to preemptively inform the police, emphasizing, “He belongs to me.”
Hostin’s comments underscore a broader discussion regarding racial profiling and the perception of Black youth in America. Studies continue to reveal disparities in how Black individuals are treated within the criminal justice system. Data from the Pew Research Center indicates that Black adults are significantly more likely than white adults to report having been unfairly stopped by police because of their race or ethnicity. These concerns resonate with Hostin’s expressed need to proactively address potential biases her son might encounter in their community.