An Argument Against Racial Profiling Essay - 1129 Words

I dont want to talk about whether or not racial profiling is legal. Racial profiling is not an effective law enforcement tool. -- Eric Holder, 82nd Attorney General of the United States Before any argument can be made against racial profiling, it is important to understand what racial profiling is. The American Civil Liberties Union, defines racial profiling as the discriminatory practice by law enforcement officials of targeting individuals for suspicion of crime based on the individuals race, ethnicity, religion or national origin(Racial Profiling: Definition). Using this definition we can determine that racial profiling excludes any evidence of wrong-doing and relies solely on the characteristics listed above. We can also see†¦show more content†¦Elephants are gray, but not all gray things are elephants. Racial profiling would say that all Muslims are Al-Qaeda, because Al-Qaeda members are Muslim. This is a clear example of stereotyping. When assumptions are based upon stereotypes they run a large risk of being entirely wrong, and racial profiling relies on stereotypes. In his article in the National Review, John Derbyshire says â€Å"Confronted with a snake or a fawn, our immediate behavior is determined by generalized beliefs - stereotypes - about snakes and fawns. â€Å" (Derbyshire) This is only partially true. Empirical evidence tells us that fawns are harmless. There are no reports of vicious attacks by baby deer. It is because of that fact that Derbyshire’s argument is inherently flawed. Granted, there are people who are afraid of snakes in general and will run screaming from even the most harmless of the species, but there are many people who are able to tell the difference between a poisonous species of snake and those that are not, and modulate their behavior accordingly. Nevertheless, Derbyshire’s argument suggests that all fawns are harmless, which they are, and all snakes are dangerous, which they are not, but it is impossible to put any ethnic group in the place of fawns or snakes.Show MoreRelatedAn Argument Against Rac ial Profiling2126 Words   |  9 Pages Racial profiling is when an officer of law targets an individual not on their behavior, but rather their personal characteristics, such as race, ethnicity, national origin and religion. Racial profiling has been an issue that dates back earlier than the 1700s. Then when the fourth and fourteenth amendments were created, some thought racial profiling would simmer down. The fourth amendment states that the government is prohibited from any unreasonable seizes or searches; while the fourteenth amendmentRead MoreEssay on An Argument Against Racial Profiling878 Words   |  4 PagesWhen people act on their stereotypical views, that is when stereotyping becomes a big concern and can affect others.Stereotyping is the main cause that leads to profiling. Anyone of any race can experience profiling, and racial profiling discriminates and victimizes people who may not necessarily be committing a crime. Innocent minorities may be portrayed to do be doing something bad. According to Sameera Hazif, Policy Director of Rights Working Group, an African American named Mahari Bailey wasRead MoreAn Argument Against Racial Profiling by Police1379 Words   |  6 PagesRacial profiling in the dictionary is â€Å"the assumption of criminality among ethnic groups: the alleged policy of some police to attribute criminal intentions to members of some ethnic groups and to stop and question them in disproportionate numbers without probable cause (â€Å"Racial Profiling†).† In other words racial profiling is making assumptions that certain individuals are more likely to be involved in misconduct or criminal activity based on that individual’s race or ethnicity. Racial profilingRead More An Argument Against Racial Profiling by Police Essay example834 Words   |  4 PagesThis essay will bring to light the problem of racial profiling in the police force and propose the eradicatio n of any discrimination. The Fourth Amendment states â€Å"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.† DespiteRead MoreArrested Development Essay1054 Words   |  5 PagesWilliams ------------------------------------------------- EN102 Outline for argument analysis: Arrested Development I. ------------------------------------------------- Introduction: * ------------------------------------------------- James Forman Jr. targets this article towards conservatives who oppose racial profiling * ------------------------------------------------- Claim: Forman claims that racial profiling is an ineffective way to enforce the law and should be stopped. ------------------------------------------------- Read MoreIs Racial Profiling Justified?642 Words   |  3 PagesAn argument if racial profiling is justified Would you put your brother, sister mother or any other family in jail if the fit the profile of a perpetrator who committed a crime and is profiled by race or ethnicity? This same question roams around the psyche of every person on who need to solve a crime. But the bigger question in regard for racial profiling if it is justified. Racial profiling cannot be justified as it attacks the very root of society on which they are built. Two key issues centralRead MoreThe Problem With Racial Profiling1561 Words   |  7 Pages we have a problem in our justice system with racial profiling. Racial profiling is defined as targeting or stopping an individual based on his or her race without suspicion of a crime. On one hand, we have people who are completely against racial profiling. On the other hand, some believe that there is no problem with racial profiling. I am very interested in finding out both sides of this argument. What are the rights and wrongs of racial profiling? I chose Jeffrey Toobin’s (2013) blog post RightsRead MoreRacial Profiling And The Right For Police Officers1526 Words   |  7 Pagesamongst American citizens and even top government officials. Racial profiling is a subject that has stirred up so much controversy in the past that it still hasn t been fully resolved to this day. To put into historical context, periods of American history as the Jim Crow era, segregated colored people by regarding them as second-class citizens and restricted them from access to specific public facilities. The justification of racial profiling is an important social issue that affects society as a wholeRead MoreRacial Profiling in Canada1166 Words   |  5 PagesRacial profiling is the act of selecting targets for criminal investigation not on behavioural merit, but exclusively on markers of personal identity such as race, ethnicity, and religious orientation (Perry, 2011, p.9). In other words, racial profiling is the by-product of subjecting individuals who are from a particular racial community to a higher degree of scrutiny and surveillance by criminal justice system agents when compared to other racial communities (Wortley and Owusu-Bempah, 2011, p.135)Read MoreShould The Color Of One’S Skin Subject Them To A Higher1684 Words   |  7 Pagescontroversial topic in today’s society and leaves many confused. There are many arguments from all sides, some saying that this practice has helped catch many criminals and that people would not have to worry if they are not doing anything wrong. Others deny it all together and say that racial profiling simply does not exist and police officers are just trying to do their job. These arguments are both wrong. Not only does racial profiling exist, but it is wrong and only serves to create fear where there should