The Pros And Cons Of Racial Profiling

What is racial profiling? The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) defines racial profiling as “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” (2005). Do not confuse racial profiling with criminal profiling; criminal profiling is usually practiced by police in which they use a group of characteristics that are associated with crime to target individuals (ACLU, 2005). Examples of racial profiling include using ones race to target specific drivers for traffic violations and pedestrians for illegal contraband; another prime example is the targeting of Muslims, Arabs, and South Asians since 9/11 in

People in law enforcement use race, ethnicity, religion or nationality as a factor in determining if an individual has committed a crime, this is called racial profiling. Many in law enforcement believe that racial profiling is an efficient way of screening someone who is suspected of a crime. They fail to see the problems with profiling someone based on how they look or their backgrounds. Racial profiling is wrong in any circumstance because crime comes from all different types of people, it causes distrust between law enforcement and the people of that community, and it violates citizens constitutional rights.

Racial profiling is the most arrogant thing you can ever do as a man. Normally the individuals who are influenced by racial profiling are minorities, but any individual can be a victim of racial profiling. Some may feel that racial profiling is non-existent; however, it is still in presence and has been seen in the past and now in the present year. Although more than fifty percent of the time racial profiling is led against a man or a woman of color; an African-American to be specific. There are examples where a white individual can be a casualty also. Trying to say that there isn't any individual out there that is excluded from racial profiling, because there isn't an individual who is simply free from this cruel strategy for choice making.

Racially biased assumption of people in poor neighborhoods who may have brothers, sisters, relatives, our wealthy friends who visit them in their less affluent community, then find themselves stopped by police and accused of dealing drugs or committing theft to obtain expensive items they have legally purchased. Unfair racial profiling, by police officers, that Police departments condone and feel are necessary to identify criminals and criminal activity before it occurs and causes harm to others. Assumptions that have for “Three hundred years” from Slave Patrols, Black Codes, Jim Crow, Convict Leasing and Racial Profiling that violate a persons’ “14th Amendment rights of “equal protection under the law.” As the 14th Amendment was ratified

Growing up as a white person, I have never had trouble with the police or any type of law enforcement. Nor have I been scared or afraid of them. Personally, I see them as the people who keep me safe, but that’s not the case for everyone. Racial profiling is a big issue here in America, and it needs to stop. How can we stop something that is considered to be the “norm” in today’s society? Let’s look at racial profiling, iron triangles, and how we could possibly put a stop to racial profiling.

When we talk about racial profiling would be referring to the practice that human beings in order to discriminate against certain individuals suspected of a violation based on race, religion, ethnicity or national origin practice. Profiles criminals, in general, such as police practiced, is the dependence of a set of characteristics that believe it is associated with the crime. Examples of racial profiling are the use of race for which drivers leave minor traffic violations, or the use of race for developed countries, that crosswalks to find illegal contraband.

Merriam Webster defines racial profiling as the act of suspecting or targeting a person on the basis of observed characteristics or behavior (Webster, n.d.) The legal dictionary definition is the consideration of race, ethnicity, or national origin by an officer of the law in deciding when and how to intervene in an enforcement capacity. (Law Dictionary, n.d.) Sadaris’ definition, targeting a person according to certain stereotypical characteristics or assumptions learned or observed, using one’s own personal discretion.

Due to the recently passed law that requires our police agencies to document the race and/or ethnicity of both pedestrians and vehicle occupants stopped for any reason, I know from the experience of other police agencies that the data will almost certainly indicate disproportionate stops of minorities but as Chief of police I will most certainly assure you that this type of misconduct will not be permitted in this jurisdiction under my supervision. Nevertheless, I would like to ensure that there will be no bias based stops. Racial profiling is illegal and this department will not practice the use of anything associated with it. Consequently, it is noted that Black residents, and youthful Black males, in particular, are still subject to more

The morals and beliefs the officer has also plays a huge role in his/her behavior. Unfortunately, there are officers that are sexist, racist, etc. Since there are officers with poor morals, there are the stereotypes of officers being racist. A person’s morals will determine how they react to a certain person or group. Racial Profiling is becoming more known and common when talking about police brutality, especially in higher-crime neighborhoods. More times than not, African American males have the highest percentage of crime in high-crime neighborhoods. Wihbey and Kille state young black males are twenty one times more likely to undergo police brutality by getting shot than their white counterparts (1). This causes the officers in that county to profile anyone of that appearance as suspicious personnel. Then, the officer will automatically pull up to a person of this image instead of his/her white counterpart. Since Racial Profiling exists, a multitude of people believe law enforcement officers are considered racist.

Violence has a way of achieving racial justice which is both impractical and immoral. The fact that violence often brings about brief results, in spite of short term victories, violence will never bring about permanent peace. John Howard Griffin once said, “Humanity does not differ in any profound way; there are not essentially different species of human beings. If we could only put ourselves in the shoes of others to see how we would react, then we might become aware of the injustice of discrimination and the tragic inhumanity of every kind of prejudice.” So why do we treat others different like we are in a race of competition? No one is going to win, because without one another we can not get the job done. Discrimination is the unfair treatment of people and groups based on characteristics such as race, gender, age or sexual orientation. Like Griffin stated, if we could only imagine ourselves being in the situation, our reaction and outcomes would be totally different amongst each other. There would no longer be a huge deal about public discrimination. Everyone would be entitled to the same choices, actions, and opinions without being judged. Even though the pros of racial profiling prevents terrorists attacks, it is reasonable, and it decreases crime rate, no one stops to think about the cause and effect of this idea. People should be against racial profiling, because it can easily escalate into racially motivated violence, it prevents law enforcement from serving the entire country, and it is morally wrong by creating higher discrimination rates. Racial profiling does not guarantee any type of success, and it can make people in communities feel unsafe.

Take a moment and think about what it would be like to be judged merely because of race or gender. In the twenty-first century many would be surprised how prevalent this attitude is. Niraj Warikoo (2013), brought the case of Shoshana Hebshi to the world’s attention. This case is about one woman’s struggle due to racial profiling. Racial profiling happens every day and is an issue that must not be taken lightly. This problem can present itself in many forms, it happens even though it is unconstitutional, and it is affected by iron triangles.

For as long as this nation has been established there have always been serious problems with racial profiling. Not only should it never be used, but it creates narrow-minded people by only allowing individuals to view other individuals in a limited viewpoint rather than giving them a chance to break and expand that certain viewpoint. In the documentary “Us Against the World” racial profiling was a huge factor. The documentary demonstrated racial profiling at its full potential and they provided various ways of evidence to show their audience.

Racial profiling is a police force tactic that is used to lower crime in certain areas by targeting minorities. Which helps lower crime in the United States, but at what cost of other people insecurity. Racial profiling is used by the police force to lower crimes, but it’s usually minorities that they follow which makes them feel insecure they don’t feel safe since they don't know when the police will follow the minorities. The problem most people have with racial profiling is because they target innocent people who are just going out throughout their day just because they feel that they need to stop crime before it happens. While racial profiling is seen as a valuable tactic by the police force minorities are targeted unfairly by this tactic, therefore we should remove racial profiling as a police tactic.

Imagine walking into the pet shop and watching a puppy that is different than the others being abused while the other puppies are treated with excellent care. In our society this would not be tolerated, we would make an angry Facebook post of the abused puppy and make sure it and other puppies are treated with excellent care from then on. We are quick to recognize who is in the wrong in this situation, why is it any different with race? Shoshanna Hebshi, a 36-year-old woman who is half Jewish and half Arab, was targeted by her race and her name and was pulled off of an airplane to be stripped searched and held in a cell for four hours. Racial profiling is a huge issue and iron triangles may be a big part of that.

Racial profiling is the use of an individual's race or ethnicity as a key factor in deciding if the person should enforce such things on the other person. The act of racial profiling is a type of discrimination. “Discrimination is an act of injustice and prejudicial treatment of different types of people, depending on their age, sex, race or religion”