A CNN panel descended into chaos Monday after a guest suggested black people are prone to criminality.
“Facts have got to matter,” said retired NYPD Detective Harry Houck. “The police have already recognized the fact that we’ve got issues that we need to deal with. Now, the black community has to also know that they have issues they need to deal with. This isn’t a one-way street here.”
His remarks were made in the context of a larger conversation on recent protests against police brutality in minority communities, and allegations police departments across the country struggle with systemic racism.
“In New York City alone, blacks are 23 percent [of the population]; they make up 75 percent of all shootings, 70 percent of all robberies, 60 percent of all violent crimes. White only 3 percent. That is why there are more blacks in jail than there are whites,” the CNN law enforcement analyst added, citing NYPD statistics.
Houck’s claim was met with sharp criticism from CNN contributor and Morehouse College professor Marc Lamont Hill, who is black.
“If Harry stood on national TV and just said that black people are prone to criminality, I wouldn’t even respond to that, okay?” he said.
Houck responded simply, “Well, they are.”
“You think black people are prone to criminality? You didn’t mean to say that. I’m going give you a chance to correct yourself,” Hill said.
Houck didn’t budge, and pointed again to the NYPD’s numbers on crime, saying, “What does this say?”
“Harry, Googling some numbers is different than talking to me!” Hill responded.
Once again, Houck turned to the source of statistics, which prompted Hill to suggest NYPD is not exactly trustworthy.
“These are NYPD numbers!” the retired detective said.
“Oh, well they must be true!” Hill said sarcastically.
