Essay about Racial Profiling in Today's Society

One of the most imminent threats looming within American society is race relations. America is a melting pot of different races, cultures, and religions, yet the matter of racial profiling still remains prominent today. By definition it is considered “an activity carried out by enforcers of the law wherein they investigate or stop any individual in traffic or round up people of the same race or ethnicity for crime suspicion” (NYLN.org ). This profiling has become a significant catalyst in the tension that has been ensuing between minorities and the government. Hostility has grown due to the apparent and intentional targeting of “brown people”, and

Racial profiling has been and will continue to be a problem in the United States. Many believe that racial profiling is more prevalent in today’s society; however, this issue has been a part of our society since slavery. Moreover, African American males are mostly the targets of racial profiling, especially in larger cities like New York City and Los Angeles. Racial profiling is becoming a huge problem within the police departments. Police officers are conducting more traffic stops on African Americans males than on any other racial group, for the reason that many police officers believe African Americans males are most likely to be engaged in some sort of criminal activity. Thus, racial

Over the last twenty years the issue of racial profiling has become extremely combative with regards to law enforcement practices. A common misconception begins as some people are unaware of what racial profiling actually is. Racial profiling typically deals with incarceration, miss education, and to certain extent slavery. The topic of slavery is relevant in the conversation of racial profiling because like slavery, African Americans have suffered just due their own identity. Profiling is essentially the selection of an individual and categorizing them due to a specific racial group. The ever growing issue of racial profiling has become more evident to the public with the increasing number of instances that have been reported regarding

In today’s world we deal with multiple cases of racial profiling seemingly on a daily basis. Turn on the television, check the internet, or simply have a discussion with someone and you’ll hear about it. "Racial Profiling" describes discriminatory practices by law enforcement officials who target people for suspicion of crime based on their ethnicity, race, origin, or religion. The term first came about during the War on Drugs in the 1970’s and 1980’s when law enforcement were accused of pulling over motorists simply because of their race, then unlawfully searching their vehicles for illegal substances. There are varying opinions about this topic and as the year’s progress, it seems acts of racism, labeling, and profiling increase. Many of the instances of racial profiling that occur today involve criminal justice.

The concern about racial profiling is erupting throughout the nation. Many cities and states have decided to study racial profiling, or how race and ethnicity may play a part in traffic stops by law enforcement in their jurisdictions. There seems to be a generally accepted understanding of what profiling is. Profiling is the law-enforcement practice of scrutinizing certain individuals based on characteristics thought to indicate a likelihood of criminal behavior. Yet there are two variations concerning the application of racial profiling. Profiling either utilizes race as a sole means of directing police attention, or uses race as a part of a larger set of characteristics and behaviors that lead to police involvement (Chan, 2011, pg. 75). Regardless of the definition of racial profiling, the debate over racial profiling centers on two questions. Does racial profiling actually occur? and Is racial profiling being used and is profiling a legitimate tool of law enforcement?

The fact remains that racial profiling began long ago before the excessive interaction seen on highways and city streets alike where minorities are principally stopped. This country has a history of profiling minorities, from the inhuman enslavement of millions of Africans during the institutionalization of slavery, to the unlawful imprisonment of Japanese Americans in concentration camps during World War II; minorities around the country have consistently been the targets of racial profiling. The problem is far deeper than just black and white; its roots lie at the economic, social, and political disparities that Anglo-Americans enjoy over minorities in this country. These disparities are a result of a system based on class status and monetary gain, two attributes enjoyed far more widely by the mainstream population than minorities (statistics about economic disparities b/ blacks and whites).

The concept of racial profiling has its wide range of definitions. According to the American Civil Liberties Union, racial profiling means “the discriminatory practice by law enforcement officials of targeting individuals for suspicion of crime based on the individual 's race, ethnicity, religion or national origin.” In other words, racial profiling has its assumptions that particular individuals are more likely to be involved in transgression or unlawful activities based on individual’s race or background. Racial profiling does not just exist today; it thrives and mostly propels a brutalizing message and inhuman misconception to citizens of the United States whom they are pre-judged by the color of their skin. The primary cause of profiling is racism or race-related discrimination. Unfortunately, this unwarranted approach is now commonly used by law enforcement officers, even though it could be both unjust and unconstitutional. Not only does it violate the core principles of this country, but it can be dangerous and deadly because it threatens our privacy and security. It is also a threat to racial equality, where many influential and prominent people have fought for to accomplish. Although many heroic activist leaders have ended racial division to its certain extent, yet many African-Americans all over America still face the rigid unequal world because of unjustifiable race-related tragedies that tremendously affects African-Americans.

There are many types of racism in America that cause people to make accusations against law enforcement for discrimination. One type of racism is racial profiling. It is a strategy that encourages police officers to stop and question minorities only because of their race. Racial profiling is a serious issue of social importance in the United States. George Will opens by casting doubt with his tone on the idea that racial profiling is a serious issue in America. His tone is sarcastic and critical of how politicians and news people are talking about the issue, and The focus of the article is to use Heather Mac Donald as the primary evidence for Will's view that racial profiling is not necessarily bad. I believe there is racism still happening to black people and Muslim people. Racial profiling is an unfavorable thing, and it can be a huge problem lead to a scuffle and law enforcement should work to stop racism forever in the whole world.

Criminal profiling is designed to help police spot criminals by developing a set of personal and behavioral characteristics associated with particular offences, with a better “profiles” it is easier to treat whoever as a suspect. (Harris,11). But while using this tactic, it can quickly become into harsh racial profiling, only because they both share the same techniques. But many law enforcements might argue back that it makes perfect sense in using these specific traits due to that fact that certain races have larger involvement in certain crimes (Harris,17). By saying this, the officials basically have a free pass at detaining anybody, only on the basis of a suspicion which is concidently related to their skin color. There have been countless situations where innocent people who are automatically assumed to criminals and were discriminated against. One example dating back to 1998, happened to Sergeant First Class Rossano Gerald, an African American who had devoted his life to the United States Army, was on the way to a family reunion in Oklahoma. During the roadtrip Gerald noticed several patrol cars who followed him for a little bits of times. Then, he was pulled over six times and the seventh time after being wrongfully accused of going over the speed limit and even after providing a valid licence, proof of insurance and a army identification, was detained inside a police vehicle. The police then said that he has smelled drugs and called the dogs to look for

Throughout history, a separation has always existed between races, and as our nation progresses, a form of racism has grown called the racial profiling. Often used as a technique to prevent crime, racial profiling only serves to unreasonably accuse individuals of color of heinous crimes, perpetuating societies longstanding fears. Many arguments exist that racial profiling doesn’t exist, and people of color perpetuate the idea of constant victimization, but based on past and current events, anyone can see that racial profiling does not come down to just that. By comparing the treatment of those of color, to any other race, anyone can see with certainty that racial profiling exists.

If we like it or not we all racially profile everyday without even thinking about it. We based our judgement of one's skin color to the type of unlawful or opulence the person has enacted. We make this judgement with the conclusion of the stereotypical news feed we receive from the media. “Today people of color continue to be disproportionately incarcerated, policed, and sentenced to death at significantly higher rates than their white counterparts.” (Sophia Kerby, 2012). Today people of color start unlawful acts more than the caucasian race itself, setting up cliches ideas for their people to be pronounced by. They ruin their own ethnic groups rights and create a wider spread of segregation amongst races in trepidation of

The racial profiling still does exist in today’s society. When something happens, most of police officers and people accuse black males based on their record or they suspect African-American people because they made many serious crimes before and they still do. In the Brent Staples’ essay, “Just Walk on By," Staples always acted carefully or accused of something that he didn’t do because of his appearance. However, people should know that we don’t need racial profiling anymore . Although they look suspicious and seem they are going to make a crime, sometimes they can be the victim.

There are many types of racism in America that cause people to make accusations against law enforcement for discrimination. One type of racism is racial profiling. It is a strategy that encourages police officers to stop and question minorities only because of their race. Racial profiling is a serious issue of social importance in the United States. George Will opens by casting doubt with his tone on the idea that racial profiling is a serious issue in America. His tone is sarcastic and critical of how politicians and news people are talking about the issue, and The focus of the article is to use Heather Mac Donald as the primary evidence for Will's view that racial profiling is not necessarily bad. I believe there is racism still happening to black people and Muslim people.I think racial profiling should not be harmful for the innocent people. Racial profiling is the harmful issue for innocent people. And law enforcement should not use racial profiling.

In addition, racial profiling can occur to women and men, all age groups are used against people from all socio-economic backgrounds, and occurs in rural, suburban, and urban areas (Amnesty International, 2007). This, racial profiling is an issue in Courtelaney’s society that can no longer be overlooked. The following literature

Over the years Racial Profiling in some aspects has evolved from minor prejudice acts to major consistent murders in the U.S. Many U.S citizens argue that racial profiling eliminates potential crimes, saves law enforcement a great portion of money and fits the demographics of usual crimes. Although, other citizens of the U.S may deeply disagree and rebuttal these claims by stating that racial profiling directly violates individual rights, can be detrimental and could potentially make an entire community feel unsafe.