Amerika

Bell was arrested less than one month after he completed a sentence for his role in the beating of a fellow classmate, Justin Barker, at Jena High School in 2006.

Police said Bell and an unidentified male were spotted Wednesday by store security after they placed $370 worth of merchandise in a Dillard’s shopping bag. After the two separated, Bell left the store, was followed by a security officer, and began running through the parking lot.

Louis Scott who has represented Bell in the past said that preconceived notions on the part of Dillard’s employees may have played a role in Bell’s arrest.

“Dillard’s has a tradition of being overly suspicious of young black males,” Scott said.

Dillard’s has been accused racial profiling in lawsuits in Texas, Mississippi, Kentucky and Georgia.

The News Star

Is it possible that someone can be both from a “disadvantaged” group… and also a criminal? We see only that they’re disadvantaged, advantaged, OR a criminal. We don’t acknowledge how much overlap occurs between those groups.