An Argument Against Racial Profiling by Police

1389 Words3 Pages

Racial profiling in the dictionary is “the assumption of criminality among ethnic groups: the alleged policy of some police to attribute criminal intentions to members of some ethnic groups and to stop and question them in disproportionate numbers without probable cause (“Racial Profiling”).” In other words racial profiling is making assumptions that certain individuals are more likely to be involved in misconduct or criminal activity based on that individual’s race or ethnicity. Racial profiling propels a brutalizing message to citizens of the United States that they are pre-judged by the color of their skin rather than who they are and this then leads to assumptions of ruthlessness inside the American criminal justice system. With race-based assumptions in the law enforcement system a “lose-lose” situation is created due to America’s diverse democracy and destroys the ability to keep the criminal justice system just and fair. Although most police officers perform their duties with fairness, honor, and dedication, the few officers who portray to be biased then harm the whole justice system resulting in the general public stereotyping every law enforcement officer as a racial profiler (Fact Sheet Racial Profiling). When thinking about racial profiling many people automatically think it happens only to blacks but sadly this is mistaken for far more ethnic groups and races such as Jews, Muslims, Mexicans, Native Americans, and many more are racially profiled on a day to day basis. Many people believe racial profiling to be a myth because they see it as police officers merely taking precautions of preventing a crime before it happens, but in reality racial profiling has just become an approved term for discrimination and unjust actio... ... middle of paper ... ...ination still today, even sixty years after the Civil Rights movement. Works Cited "Fact Sheet Racial Profiling." Department of Justice, 17 06 2003. Web. 29 Mar. 2014. . Holloway, Carson. "Profiling and the Constitution." Public Discourse. N.p., n. d. Web. 4 Mar. 2014. . "Racial Profiling." West's Encyclopedia of American Law. 2005. Encyclopedia.com. 5 Mar. 2014 . "The Reality of Racial Profiling." CivilRights.org. The Leadership Conference, 22 08 2012. Web. 4 Mar. 2014. . "The Supreme Court and Racial Profiling." National Motorists Association, n. d. Web. 4 Mar. 2014. .

Racial Profiling in Today's Society
1740 Words | 4 Pages
Racial profiling is the tactic of stopping someone because of the color of his or her skin and a fleeting suspicion that the person is engaging in criminal behavior (Meeks, p. 4-5). This practice can be conducted with routine traffic stops, or can be completely random based on the car that is driven, the number of people in the car and the race of the driver and passengers. The practice of racial profiling may seem more prevalent in today’s society, but in reality has been a part of American culture since the days of slavery. According to Tracey Maclin, a professor at the Boston University School of Law, racial profiling is an old concept. The historical roots “can be traced to a time in early American society when court officials permitted constables and ordinary citizens the right to ‘take up’ all black persons seen ‘gadding abroad’ without their master’s permission” (Meeks, p. 5). Although slavery is long since gone, the frequency in which racial profiling takes place remains the same. However, because of our advanced electronic media, this issue has been brought to the American public’s attention.
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Race-Based Traffic Stops in the US
1225 Words | 3 Pages
Imagine driving home, on a pleasant evening, after a tedious day at work. Just as you are about to arrive to your neighborhood, you notice blue and red flashing lights and pull over. It seems the police officer has no reason for stopping you, except to search your vehicle because of your suspiciously perceived skin tone. This unnecessary traffic stop, designed for people of colored skin, happens on numerous occasions and has been termed Driving While Black or Brown. Racial profiling is the act of using race or ethnicity as grounds for suspecting someone of having committed a crime.
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Racial Profiling by Police in Canada
2887 Words | 6 Pages
The key to understanding racialized profiling is to understand what systemic discrimination and profiling mean. Systemic discrimination sometimes called systemic racism is defined as, “Patterns and practices… which, although they may not be intended to disadvantage any group, can have the effect of disadvantaging or permitting discrimination against… racial minorities” (Comack, 2012, p30). Profiling in policing is defined as,
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An Argument Against Racial Profiling
1120 Words | 3 Pages
Schneier, Bruce. "Will Profiling Make a Difference?" 2010. New York Times: Room for Debate. Web. 18 June 2015.
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Racial Profiling by Police Is Ineffective and Reduces Public Safety
949 Words | 2 Pages
Racial Profiling is law enforcement and private security practices that disproportionately target people of color for investigation and enforcement. Racial Profiling occurs across the United States and an overwhelming number of Hispanics and African Americans, including children, are being stopped. Some may say “racial profiling is an ineffective and degrading practice that violates civil rights” while others say that it is “necessary to counter terrorism and reduce crime.” In my opinion, stop and frisk is unfair and against citizens constitutional rights therefore, making it illegal and horrible, but I do believe it’s a tactic taken by police to ensure no crimes are happening and it is also an effective way to counter terrorism. Everyone is created equally and should be treated equally. I believe Police should not stop someone based upon their race unless, suspicious behavior occurs.
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The Effects of 9/11
1396 Words | 3 Pages
Siggins, Peter. "Racial Profiling in an Age of Terrorism." Santa Clara University. (2002): n. page. Web. 5 Nov. 2011. .
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Everything Isn T Racial Profiling By Linda Chavez Summary
1322 Words | 3 Pages
Our criminal justice book defines racial profiling as "any police initiated action that relies on the race, ethnicity, or national origin rather than the behavior of an individual, or on information that leads the police to a particular individual who has been identified as being, or having been, engaged in criminal activity” (Schmalleger 757). I think it is best summed up as the practice of using race, ethnicity, national origin, or religion as the primary factor in deciding who to subject to law enforcement investigations. Racial profiling can be used as a basis for racist police officers to arrest more minorities and this is documented very often. In the article Jim Crow policing, Bob Herbert talks about the unnecessary frisking and racism connected to searching for potential criminals. Herbert makes several points as to why police are harassing the black and Latino population and how it is wrong.
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Racial Profiling is Necessary
1055 Words | 3 Pages
In order to understand racial profiling, it must first be correctly defined. Although different authors use different criteria for the term racial profiling, Merriam-Webster’s definition for the word racial is “of, relating to, or based on a race (Merriam-Webster, 2006; p.855).” The definition the dictionary puts forth for profiling is “the act of suspecting or targeting a person solely on the basis of observed characteristics or behavior (Merriam-Webster, 2006; p.830).” Based on these definitions, racial profiling could be defined for criminal justice purposes as targeting a person based solely on the characteristic of race. Most people, law enforcement officers included, would consider racial profiling based on this definition as ethically wrong. However, a case must be made for the use of profiling based on race in some circumstances.
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Racial Profiling In The Media Essay
1513 Words | 4 Pages
Racial Profiling is carried out in many parts of the world and makes it difficult to achieve equality throughout the world. Racial Profiling starts with ordinary people and can be prevented by the authorities, but when the authorities are the ones doing the profiling it becomes more difficult to prevent. Even then, the media has the power to bring attention to the authorities wrongdoings, But when the media decides to use that power to not only not bring attention to the authorities, instead the media will defend and support these unjust acts. Now racial profiling is almost unpreventable, and the people that are targeted by the media and authorities their daily lives are changed and not only impacts them but impacts the places they live. Although some people argue there is no profiling in the media or used by the authorities, The authorities do racially profile and the media 's coverage only enhances the perspective of the authorities.
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Racial Profiling Thesis Statement
1640 Words | 4 Pages
Racial profiling in America, as evidenced by recent events, has reached a critical breaking point. No longer can an African American, male or female, walk into a store, school, or any public place without fear of being stereotyped as a person of suspicion. Society constantly portrays the African American
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Racial Profiling Thesis
1079 Words | 3 Pages
In the past few years, racial profiling has become a very prominent issue in American society. In “Racial Profiling,” “Racial Profiling is a controversial and illegal discriminatory practice in which individuals are targeted for suspicion of crimes based on their ethnicity, race, or religion rather than on evidence-based suspicious behavior” (Para. 11). Many people are wronged because of this phenomenon and effects many of them in multiple ways. Racial profiling is effecting many people and it needs to be addressed.
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Essay On Racial Profiling
1102 Words | 3 Pages
Due to racial profiling and stereotypes given to specific races, minorities face unfair treatment. revealing , America does not ensure equal rights for every citizen. The term “racial profiling” refers to the use of race or ethnicity as grounds for suspecting someone
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Arguments Against Racial Profiling
1874 Words | 4 Pages
Since the 1990’s there have been great efforts to stop drug distribution and an effort to prevent crime. Also there have been concerns about illegal immigration. Profiling is one tool being used to aid the law enforcement in catching the criminals involved in these crimes. This practice, profiling, has turned into racial profiling and has generated controversy (Welch, 2007, p. 277). Even though it has been realized that profiling has changed, the motivation for its use has not. More reasons for profiling have come about from the 2001 September 11th terrorist attacks. This has led to other forms of profiling that relate more to race and national origin (Pampel, 2004, p. 3-4).
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The Banning Of Racial Profiling In The US
540 Words | 2 Pages
In the first article, “Justice Dept. announces new rules to curve racial profiling by federal law enforcement”, author Sari Horwitz, points out that the Barack Obama administration has banned racial profiling for federal law enforcements institutions, but not for local police departments. The banning will prevent agents from considering race, ethnicity, gender, national origin, religion, and/or sexual orientation. All before opening national security and other criminal or civil cases involving the individual. Moreover, the federal law enforcement officers should attempt to serve as role models for state and local law enforcements officers. As they should demonstrate that successful social safety does not require racial profiling. However, some believe that the banning of racial profiling should also be strictly enforced by states.
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Prejudice
1799 Words | 4 Pages
Tomaskovic-devey, D., & Warren, P. (2009, Spring). Explaining and eliminating racial profiling. Contexts. Retrieved March 4, 2012 from
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An Argument Against Racial Profiling by Police

Racial Profiling in Today's Society

Race-Based Traffic Stops in the US

Racial Profiling by Police in Canada