Just Business? Or is it Racism?

Everyone reads in job applications the part where it asks for you to check yes or no to if you've ever had a felony or misdemeanor. I don't have a problem breaking the law, so checking a no isn't a big contemplation.

However, 65 million Americans apparently do have a problem, therefore, cannot get a job. I don't see why companies would want a felon working for them, especially if it's a newer crime. Many work their felony off through probation over a course of 5-7 years. You break the law, you have to pay for your sins. Fair, right?

Most wouldn't argue with that point.

But some think it's racist for companies to disregard felons since most of them are black.

Yahoo: Because discriminating against those with criminal records disproportionately hurts African Americans, the practice may violate the Civil Rights Act, which prohibits race-based hiring discrimination. Indeed, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) has said that although considering an applicant's criminal record may be acceptable on a case-by-case basis, an "absolute bar to employment" for such people is illegal.

I don't think it's a freakin' race issue: it's a behavior issue. No one wants a thief or a violent person, or a drug dealer/addict working for them. It's an insurance case and a waste of time and money to take the risk. Just because it's more common for black people to commit crimes and get caught, doesn't mean companies are holding back the black man. Make better choices and stop fucking up. I am disgusted by the still insistent push for there being a civil rights issue when it has to do with the individual person and what they choose to do with their own lives.  

I do believe that employment should be on a case by case basis. There should never be an automatic refusal. Perhaps the person made a one time mistake. Perhaps the person was young and didn't know any better and learned his lesson. People can learn from their mistakes and turn their lives around.

On the other hand, we are very discriminatory people by nature, and with the job market so tight, it would behoove a company to hire someone without a track record over a felon. It just makes better business sense. And it has nothing to do with skin color.