The Problem With Racial Profiling

The justice system is one of the most important and critical parts of a government. Laws and regulations in our justice system guarantee our rights and safety. When law enforcement is segregated the safety of people among minorities are in the wrong hands. In the novel, “Just Mercy” by Bryan Stevenson, he scripts a similar situation where a man named Walter McMillian was a victim of racial profiling. Walter McMillian, an African American man, was convicted of murder of Ronda Morrison a young white woman, because of his race, and white supremacy. “There was no evidence and connection of Walter to the murder except that he was an African American man involved in an adulterous interracial affair, which meant he was reckless and possibly dangerous, even if he had no prior criminal history and a good reputation” (Stevenson 34). Injustice due to racial profiling seems to be one of the despicable and most associated topic in our society that rises concerns among people. America “The land of Opportunity” is filled with people all around the world, from different religions, ethnic groups, and different geographical background. Despite the laws and regulations passed on behalf of human rights, people from Islamic ethnicity are believed to be racially profiled due to their history of terrorism and geographical background.

Racial profiling impacts the lives of African Americans, Asians, Latinos, South Asians, and the Arab communities (Persistence of racial and ethnic profiling in the United States: a follow-up report to the U.N. Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination 12). Profiling based on race stems from racism, and has lastingly marked and structured the society of the United States (10). In some aspects, it is considered a violation of human rights; therefore, acts then started to develop (12). For example, the United States introduced the Subsequent End of Racial Profiling Acts to Congress in 2004, 2005, 2007, and 2009, but they

Racial profiling is a very prevalent issue within the criminal justice system that is quite controversial, but there is a significant number of evidence that shows that racial profiling has been present since the 1600’s and continues to be a significant issue. Racial profiling is evident in the criminal justice system in various ways such as in interrogations, jury selection, misleading statistics, stops, and immigration laws. Racial profiling within interrogations and jury selection can be seen with the Brandley v. Keeshan case. Racial profiling within statistics can be seen in instances where the numbers focus on arrests and incarcerations that do not necessarily mean a crime was committed. Stops are seen as evidence showing racial profiling with a personal experience, and lastly, immigration laws are seen as showing racial profiling by the encounter of a Mexican American women had with an officer in Arizona.

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

One major problem with the Justice System is that law enforcement use racial profiling affecting many people of color on a daily basis. Racial profiling is when law enforcement believe that certain groups are more likely to commit a crime rather than other groups. This is a major problem because in many cases there are very tragic incidents and as NAACP stated, “ Mr. Garner’s tragic death shows that for communities of color, including women and LGBT people of color, immigrants and low income communities, racial profiling has been and continues to be a constant reality of life, often with tragic and deadly consequences,” (45) Explains how racial profiling has become an everyday basis to minorities affecting them in many ways and unfortunately ends with death occasionally. Racial profiling is a huge dilemma

Since the birth of our nation, racial profiling has been an issue longstanding and troubling among minority groups and still continues to exhibit severe consequences in communities.

Other authors had opinions on the topic of racial profiling. In Crime and Policing in Rural and Small-Town America, the authors bemoaned the lack of research that has been done about race and crime in suburban and rural areas, claiming that the research that abounds regarding urban areas is incompatible with suburban and rural areas (Weisheit, Falcone, and Wells, 2006; p.38). They believed that by putting more effort in to the area of race in rural and suburban areas, it will be proven that minorities are actually underrepresented in the justice system in rural areas (Weisheit, Falcone, and Wells, 2006; p.38). This argument could go further by saying that the current research that favors the critics’ side of racial profiling might be inaccurate. George M. Fredrickson’s work focused on the history of racism from a historian’s perspective and he believed that any profiling based on race is wrong (Fredrickson,

Racial profiling has been an issue in society for as long as America had a criminal justice system. "Racial profiling is a problem because it refers discriminatory practice bye-law enforcement officials of targeting individuals for suspicion of crime based on the individual 's race, ethnicity, religion or national origin." In 1868, the fourteenth amendment was ratified which states, " No state. Shall deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws," would have made racial profiling illegal had it been enforced by the courts." Many years passed and individuals are still being racially profiled. After the 2001 terrorist attack, George W. Bush signed an executive order banning the use of race, color, and ethnicity to profile suspects in 70 different federal agencies." The nature of this social problem is still very serious, so why is racial profiling still a problem in America today?

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.

One of the most discussed about issues in our society today is profiling based on race or ethnicity. But what is racial profiling and why is it so important? Racial profiling occurs when law enforcement agents impermissibly use race, religion, ethnicity, or national origin in deciding who to investigate for different crimes and offenses. It is being used unjustifiably wrongly in our culture daily. Based on the status of racial profiling currently, it seems as if racial profiling will always be a part of our society and there is nothing people can do to change that. With people making assumptions based on unjust rules, it seems like there will be no end in sight for racial profiling. Law enforcement should be held accountable for their actions, mistakes, and unjustified assumptions. Many instances occur with police officers taking wrongful actions solely based on race or nationality. Police and their practices have been going on for many years with the same outcomes repeating consecutively. A real- life instance of this includes police subjecting people to police brutality just because they are a “person of color” or even a “person of interest.” This has sparked protests and movements such as “Black Lives Matter” or “Hands Up Don’t Shoot.” Many people who have fallen victim to racial profiling and were wrongly accused and lost their lives as a result. Some of these people include, Trayvon Martin, Mike Brown, Eric Garner, Oscar Grant, with the list continuing on. Trayvon Martin was shot and killed at seventeen years old for “looking suspicious.” Mike brown was shot six times for supposedly running away from a police officer. Eric Garner was put in a chokehold and subdued by a police officer for selling cigarettes illegally. Oscar Grant was already placed in handcuffs and lying flat on the floor when he was shot by a police officer that only served five years in prison. With countless others’ lives lost the list going on and on, it appears that racial profiling and bias have impacted affected a wide group of people and their families who have also suffered from this widespread issue. Overall, racial profiling is a big issue that might not be possible to correct

Even the United States struggles with issues of racial discrimination despite being a society highly based on immigrants and multicultural diversity. On one hand, people frown on treatment based on race, whether that is on an individual or group level. On the other, people are tired and annoyed by the seemingly constant call of discrimination. All of these feelings culminate into the debate pertaining to the use of racial profiling. Likewise, there are some individuals that hold a certain level of acceptance in regard to racial profiling. However, what is lost in the process because of that acceptance? There are many components that need to be thought about in reference to the use of racial profiling. In addition, it can be viewed

Racial profiling isn’t something new to today’s society. Most recently there were incidents in which the officers were accused of mistreating blacks such as Michael Brown and Freddie Gray. “Racism versus professionalism: claims and counter-claims about racial profiling” written by Vic Satzewich and William Shaffir discusses racism versus professionalism with officers. Their argument is more biased towards the police force and they argue that it’s part of their job. “

In America’s judicial system, the color of skin or race are often equated with criminal behavior. Dr. King once said “I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character.” As United States citizens, we are not convicted of a crime until proven guilty. However, racial profiling aids law enforcement on deciding when to pursue or detain a suspect based on race. This method undoubtedly categorizes that certain races are more prone to commit crimes. Nevertheless, racial profiling is a violation of constitutional rights thus protected by federal law; oddly it is often disregarded by states.

Meet Shoshana Hebshi; an American citizen, mother of two, and victim of racial profiling. Hebshi is fighting against the injustice done to her, but what exactly is racial profiling and how is it still around today? Racial profiling is more specific than racism in general. The term “racial profiling” refers to a government agency specifically targeting people who fall under certain demographics (“Racial Profiling: Definition”, n.d.).Shoshana’s situation shows racial profiling in action, government policymakers are influenced by racial profiling, and how the policymakers create or change policies.

"Arrested Development" by James Forman Jr. , is an article that looks at the issue of racial profiling. Forman addresses the views of conservatives who believe racial profiling to be a useful tactic in enforcing