Men vs African American men

My friend is a Crime, Law and Justice Major. She is currently taking a CRIM class. She was informing me of all of the statistics on those who commit crimes and all the various crimes one can create. She then told me that the book speaks mostly about African Americans who commit those crimes. My friend proceeded to tell me about the different biases in the book and mentioned that the book separates the word men and African American men. Basically when the book talks about crimes committed it touch on the percentages of men vs. African American men.

How I take it is that they are saying that African American men are not men which hurt a lot. As a person who is mixed and who embraces both sides, I know what my ancestors have been through. I think it is disgusting that the book groups men this way. I think it is even more disgusting that the University would allow such a book to be used. I understand that there is probably valuable material in that book and maybe it was even used purposely to explain prejudices. Even so, I think it is wrong.

It is very apparent that racism still exists. If you say it doesn't you are quite blind. I think it would be better to acknowledge the fact that it still exists then pretend it does not and then see what my friend saw in her book. I just think that for it to be published for everyone to see, and for college students to study from, is unreal.

I wonder if the University or even the Professor has control over what he shows his students or even what book he can choose to teach his material from. I remember one time my friend asked my why there is African American history and why there is American History. The only way I've ever looked at it was that blacks have a lot of accomplishments and have come a long way. But then my friend said, "Aren't blacks American and don't their accomplishments contribute to American accomplishments?" "Accomplishments are accomplishments no matter which race contributes." I now look at things much differently.