Racial Profiling is Unfair to the Innocent

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The issue of racial profiling in America is one of great importance to the future of American society. This issue fairly new, in terms of being recognized is old in its ways. Racism and stereotyping are issues that date back to hundreds of years ago. Racial profiling in America is one that needs to be addressed by the government and society if we ever want America to truly be, "The Land of The Free." One of the main examples of racial profiling is called DWB (Driving While Black). This is a term started to show itself in cases of racial profiling. For example, in the article " Ragtime, My Time" Alton Fitzgerald White was wrongfully accused for a crime and was arrested in the lobby of his home. In today's society the perception is that most drug traffickers are minorities. This is very untrue.

Racial profiling is based on the premise that most drug offenses are committed by minorities according to officer Carl Williams "It is most likely a minority group that's involved."(Color of Suspicion, 427) Because police look for drugs primarily among African-Americans and Latinos, they find an uneven number of them actually in possession of illegal drugs. Therefore these people are arrested, reinforcing the idea that drug trafficking is primarily a Latino or an African-American thing. At the same time white drivers receive far less police attention, many of the drug dealers and users among them get away. This just feeds to the perception that whites commit fewer drug offenses than minorities. This often results in the persecution of innocent people based on skin color. This also causes a huge distrust and minorities are less willing to cooperate. Driving While Black is not an issue that just arose its just now gaining a name. The

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... the humiliation and death of many innocent people. The Law enforcement needs to gain the trust of the community. Without trust the community will never feel as if they can go to the police or feel that justice will be served when they have been wronged. Innocent people are being arrested and even killed on suspicions and because they fit the status quo.

Racial profiling is a national problem that is lessening the trust in the people who are supposed to protect us. Everyday people of color are scared to do what most people do without a second thought, drive to wherever they need to go. Our country can no longer remain the leader of the world in freedom and democracy when its people are identified as criminals simply because of their skin color. We cannot afford to ignore this issue any further we must take action to ensure that this country is truly a free one.

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