...What is racial profiling? Depending on whom the person asked, some might say that it is the profiling of someone for a crime based on their race, while others might say that it does not exist. The term racial profiling is not precisely in the dictionary, but according to the Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, the term profiling, specifically for racial profiling, means “the act of suspecting or targeting a person on the basis of observed characteristics or behavior” (Merriam-Webster). The misconception and miscommunication on profiling, its true meaning, and intended purpose have led to the ethical dilemma and current-day social issue of racism seen in profiling. Racial profiling has been abused and implemented in many different situations and...
Words: 824 - Pages: 4
...Racial Profiling in the United States There is no doubt that life can be very difficult for individuals of color. It is even more difficult to come to the realization that not only are they an individual of color, but also that authority may not see them as equally apart of society. Or, that police officers could throw them in the bounds of jail without any probable cause. A major reason as to why their life is not particularly easy includes racial profiling. Racial profiling includes associating suspicious behavior or the act of committing a crime with an individual’s race or ethnicity. Racial profiling originated from hasty generalizations about low income communities and communities of color. It has come to many American citizens’ attention...
Words: 723 - Pages: 3
...the Problem Cheril Hall American InterContinental University CRJS499 Senior Capstone in Criminal Justice Introduction to the Problem Racial profiling, the practice of targeting individuals for police or security detention based on their race or ethnicity, is a deeply troubling and pervasive phenomenon. It is a form of discrimination that not only undermines the basic human rights and civil liberties of the targeted individuals, but also erodes trust in law enforcement agencies and stigmatizes minority communities. Despite the progress made in civil rights, racial profiling remains a significant issue that demands our attention and action. This paper aims to delve into the complexities of racial profiling, exploring...
Words: 595 - Pages: 3
...Racial Profiling “There is definately some racial profiling. But we need to ensure that it is done for the right reasons to ensure the security of people. It is absolutely imperative that this is not abused” (Keith Vaz). According to ACLU, racial profiling “refers to 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.” Racial profiling is more common in busy cities, like L.A. rather than small towns in rural areas. MacDonald says that, “L.A. cops discriminate against minorities.” Racial profiling becomes more common every day, but people disagree whether it actually prevents crime or is it just discrimination. Many...
Words: 1396 - Pages: 6
...Racial Profiling, the words said together can bring silence across an entire room. Why is that? What is so wrong with ones race and profile? We are taught about race and the successes of our ancestors at a very young age. Our families celebrate and rejoice about the success and good that our families accomplished while occupying the earth. We profile every single day of our lives, it is engrained in us, and it is part of the fight or flight syndrome that we are born with. Profiling is how the human being was able to survive and continue to procreate. So why is it when law enforcement attempts to dismantle a criminal element or disrupt criminal activity, people are quick to say the police were racially profiling? Is law enforcement racial...
Words: 881 - Pages: 4
...V. 2. Part 1-Racial profiling: a brief history and background: Profiling began in the early 1970’s by the drug enforcement agency and it focused on certain behaviors. By the 1980’s when Reagan declared the war on drugs, skin color became a major profile component and enforcement of drug laws became to take on the street level rather than just in airports and the focus was increasingly on poor communities of color. By 1985, the DEA had trained thousands of police officers to employ the "pretextual traffic stop", a legal name for racial profiling, and refers to the practice of stopping drivers, particularly those of color, for minor traffic violations for the purpose of searching their cars for drugs, guns, or cash. In 1986, the DEA introduced...
Words: 1914 - Pages: 8
...In this paper, I will be focusing on the act of racial profiling, which has become quite common in the contemporary society. Racial profiling refers to the practice of using race as the main ground for suspecting individuals of having committed an offense. I will be sharing this article with the history professor in Sunderland University. Racial Profiling Component of Article The article that I will review and is related to this topic on racial profiling is named “Race and Justice: Wrongful Convictions of African American Men” is written by Feagin Joe. Precisely, this article mainly talks about how the African Americans tend to be wrongly convicted due to racial prejudice and discrimination (Feagin, 2013). In order to gather adequate...
Words: 935 - Pages: 4
...Racial Profiling in the U.S. Criminal Justice System Student’s Name Institution Racial Profiling in the U.S. Criminal Justice System Racial profiling is among the key problems that are cited in the U.S. criminal justice system. The American Civil Liberties Union(2016) defines racial profiling as a discriminatory practice by law enforcement officers of using individual’s race, ethnicity, religion among other traits as grounds for suspicion Racial profiling has particularly affected the black Americans and other minority groups. Research shows that these minority groups and especially the black Americans are overrepresented in the U.S. Criminal system despite the fact that they constitute just a small percentage of the total U.S. population. History of Racial Profiling in the United States Racial profiling is an old problem dating back to a number of centuries ago. The history of racial profiling is ingrained in a number of historical events that cast African Americans in an inferior light. In 1704, South Carolina created the first slave patrol in which white men oversaw black slaves on plantations as well as hunting down fugitive slaves. Black Americans, most of which were slaves had to produce passes as proof of having permission not to be in plantations, or if they had been emancipated, they were required to carry with them freedom papers to show that they were free. Black people were exposed to interrogations...
Words: 1020 - Pages: 5
...[Name of the Writer] [Name of the Institution] [Name of the Subject] [Date] Racial Profiling and Law Enforcement Introduction Over the years racial profiling has become a significant topic especially among law enforcement agencies across the United States. Many cities and states have made a conscious effort to study racial profiling and ascertain how race and ethnicity play a significant role in stopping vehicles by law enforcement in their jurisdictions. Profiling refers to the practice of police that view certain characteristics as indicators of criminal behavior. It is the establishment of law enforcement practices that solves crime and develop prevention strategioes against crime. While, racial profiling is the new term for profiling. The change is partially because of the ambiguity that racial profiling has some confusions and controversories. The term racial profiling best decribes the situation where police arrests, questions or stops the person on the basis of race (Cleary 5). In regards to the racial profiling, the concern about it is erupting in the entire nation (Harcourt 18). Racial profiling is considered as the use of the individual’s ethnicity and race through the law enforcement personnel. In many of the jurisdiction, the practice of such acts is considered as illegal and controversial. United States have decided to work on the issues related to the racial profiling, that how the ethnicity and race play a part in order to stop the injustice through...
Words: 2214 - Pages: 9
...reason it seemed for the stop was because you were black. If this were you, you are Sergeant First Class Rossano V. Gerald, and were just a victim of what is known as “racial profiling.” Some may not be aware of this, but Sergeant First Class Gerald and his son’s Fourth Amendment Rights were violated. In the United States Bill of Rights, the Fourth Amendment is “the right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized,” (Gaines,). Racial profiling occurs whenever a law enforcement officer questions, stops, arrests, searches, or otherwise investigates a person because the officer believes that members of that person’s racial or ethnic group are more likely to commit the sort of crime the officer is investigating. Racial profiling often occurred during the late 1960s when police officers would use traffic stops as means for detention of black activists during the civil rights era. However, it has just recently become a “hot” topic in the last ten years. In this paper I will be talking about various court cases involving possible racial profiling, crime...
Words: 1623 - Pages: 7
...Racial Profiling in the U.S. Criminal Justice System Racial profiling is among the key problems that are cited in the U.S. criminal justice system. The American Civil Liberties Union(2016) defines racial profiling as a discriminatory practice by law enforcement officers of using individual’s race, ethnicity, religion among other traits as grounds for suspicion Racial profiling has particularly affected the black Americans and other minority groups. Research shows that these minority groups and especially the black Americans are overrepresented in the U.S. Criminal system despite the fact that they constitute just a small percentage of the total U.S. population. History of Racial Profiling in the United States Racial profiling is an old problem dating back to a number of centuries ago. The history of racial profiling is ingrained in a number of historical events that cast African Americans in an inferior light. In 1704, South Carolina created the first slave patrol in which white men oversaw black slaves on plantations as well as hunting down fugitive slaves. Black Americans, most of which were slaves had to produce passes as proof of having permission not to be in plantations, or if they had been emancipated, they were required to carry with them freedom papers to show that they were free. Black people were exposed to interrogations, harassments, physical torture and even death if they were found to have run away...
Words: 1009 - Pages: 5
...Racial Profiling in the U.S. Criminal Justice System Racial profiling is among the key problems that are cited in the U.S. criminal justice system. The American Civil Liberties Union(2016) defines racial profiling as a discriminatory practice by law enforcement officers of using individual’s race, ethnicity, religion among other traits as grounds for suspicion Racial profiling has particularly affected the black Americans and other minority groups. Research shows that these minority groups and especially the black Americans are overrepresented in the U.S. Criminal system despite the fact that they constitute just a small percentage of the total U.S. population. History of Racial Profiling in the United States Racial profiling is an old problem dating back to a number of centuries ago. The history of racial profiling is ingrained in a number of historical events that cast African Americans in an inferior light. In 1704, South Carolina created the first slave patrol in which white men oversaw black slaves on plantations as well as hunting down fugitive slaves. Black Americans, most of which were slaves had to produce passes as proof of having permission not to be in plantations, or if they had been emancipated, they were required to carry with them freedom papers to show that they were free. Black people were exposed to interrogations, harassments, physical torture and even death if they were found to have run away...
Words: 1009 - Pages: 5
...Public/Police Relations: An Intractable Conflict? David A. Mercury damercury1921@gmail.com (416) 333-7523 Public/Police Relations: An Intractable Conflict? Purpose of this Paper The purpose of this paper is to determine whether the conflicts described, between the police and the Afrikan Canadian diaspora [sometimes referred to as the Communities] and the Original Peoples communities and other racial minorities, can be defined as being intractable. If so, the exploration of possible approaches to resolve these conflicts is beyond the scope of this paper. It is my hope and intention to conduct this exploration in later works. What is an Intractable Conflict? The Oxford International Encyclopedia of Peace, defines intractable conflicts through a discussion the common features. First, [emphasis added] intractable conflicts are protracted, persisting for a long time. Second, [emphasis added] they are waged in ways that the adversaries or interested observers regard as destructive. Third, [emphasis added] partisans and intermediaries attempt, but fail to end or transform them. Conflict intractability, however, is not a fixed dichotomous feature; conflicts vary in their degree of intractability. The degree to which the three defining features are manifested varies and changes, and they are best treated as dimensions of conflict. . . . Even duration is not a fixed characteristic of a conflict. The beginning of a conflict is often contested, with one side pointing back...
Words: 5720 - Pages: 23
...Darius Norris History: 150 Dr. Linda Wynn Research Paper 4/1/2015 Darius Norris Dr. Linda Wynn History: 150 April 1, 2015 Male African Americans & Racial Profiling in American INTRODUCTION Considering our time and age racial profiling one of the most untouched subjects in history, especially in the law-enforcement community. Most people get it confused with criminal profiling which is not the same. Racial profiling is any police-initiated action that relies on the race, ethnicity, or national origin rather than the behavior of an individual or information that leads the police to a particular individual who has been identified as being or having been, engaged in criminal activity. Criminal profiling is any police- initiated action that used the compilation of the background, physical, behavioral, and motivational characteristics for a type of perpetrator that lead the police. Now imagine driving to the store on a cold winter day, dressed in a hoodie to keep warm. You simply pull into the parking lot in hopes of getting something nice for your daughter for the holidays. Driving the posted speed limit, you pull slowly into a parking space in the back of the store. All of a sudden, a car pulls up behind you, blocking you in. You look in your rearview mirror only to find the community crime watch officer staring you down. The officer immediately treats you like a suspect, smothering you with questions concerning what you’re doing, where you’re going; yet never...
Words: 2771 - Pages: 12
...Research Paper Dishmon 1 Dorian Dishmon Mrs. Sanford Language Arts February 19, 2016 Racial Profiling Racial profiling is a practice used knowingly and unknowingly in police departments, airport systems, and many other agencies worldwide. Racial profiling refers to the targeting of particular individuals based not on their behavior, but rather their personal characteristics, a person's race, ethnicity, or religion. Background of racial profiling The term racial profiling is relatively new term. Law enforcement agencies have...
Words: 758 - Pages: 4
