The Rights of the At-Large

Or, notes from the Chicago Tribune Style Book

A seven year old girl was riding her bike on the Northwest Side of Chicago on Monday night when she was abducted, forced into a car, and sexually abused. Here are the various descriptions of this cretin…

The Chicago Sun-Times wrote:
“The girl described the attacker as a Hispanic male in his early 20s, about 5 feet 6 inches tall and about 150 pounds. He has short, black hair and dark eyes.”

The Chicago Tribune wrote:
“The man was described as in his 20s, about 5 feet 6, 150 pounds with a dark complexion and short black hair.”
The Official Chicago Police Community Alert # RD#HN-527356 reads:
“Offender:
• Male with dark complexion, possibly Hispanic, spoke English
• Approximately 5-06 in height, 150 lbs, in his 20's
• Short black hair, dark eyes”

In summary, The Sun-Times calls him a Hispanic, the cops say “maybe”, and the Trib refuses to print the “H” word. Does all this political correctness make us a safer society? Do we really care about fairness in a situation like this?