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That can be looked at in more than one way, Eric. While in college, I chose sociology and statistics my freshman year. In these courses, I learned the equations and practices used to formulate the numbers being reported, and the importance of not being too quick to draw conclusions about the statistics reported, which of course may or may not be true depending on how it is perceived (not to mention data that often contradicts such reports). For instance, in a study focusing on the arrests and conviction rates of African-American and Caucasian American males ages 18-25 in major cities along the east coast demongraphics. In this study, it was shown that more African-American males are convicted of violent crimes. However, the same studies showed that more Caucasian males were arrested for the same crimes, however thier cases were pardoned or dismissed, leading to less conviction rates. While some people would take this information and disguise their prejudice beliefs that African-Americans are more violent with the guise of simply "reporting facts"; others with a more well rounded view might consider the fact that there is a huge problem of injustice and racism within the judicial system. That injustice could largely be linked to the fact that so many more Caucasian males are not being punished for the same crimes. I think some people are simply observing similar biased truths that may have had an impact on this article as well.
Denise