Introduction: Racial Profiling
Racial profiling involves segregating certain individuals based on specific characteristics and features that are deemed prominent in determining the likelihood of involvement in criminal activities within a particular section, group, or ethnicity. It is a practice employed by law enforcement agencies that encourages them to apprehend or arrest individuals based on their race, ethnicity, or religion. For instance, some communities are still labeled as violent and susceptible to certain crimes, leading to increased instances of stop and search.
Pilar Quezzaire and Tracy DiLascio assert that “racial profiling is most commonly perpetrated against ethnic minorities, with many instances occurring in reaction to specific crimes” (1). While the topic is both interesting and controversial, it requires a solution, as not all individuals of a particular race are criminals, and not all individuals of another race are innocent. Various other factors need consideration, and finding a middle ground between extreme views is crucial for addressing the issue. Therefore, it is essential to acknowledge that there is a spectrum of likelihood regarding such behaviors and to explore solutions for ending racial profiling.
Power and Racial Profiling
Since time immemorial, humanity’s pursuit of power has driven individuals to discriminate against others, finding faults to dehumanize them and establish dominance. This has manifested as profiling, where individuals are categorized based on certain traits and features in their characters or behavior, fostering a sense of superiority. As the saying goes, “Human beings naturally ascribe qualities to those unlike themselves” (1). Social sciences have been employed to codify these features, leading to the development of racial profiling concepts concerning whites and nonwhites (1).
Supporters of profiling argue that it is grounded in reality, asserting that people exhibit common habits based on their race, ethnicity, or tribe. To some extent, when examined within the broader research context, this perspective seems plausible, suggesting that social sciences may have some validity in their theoretical framework concerning discrimination. However, the concern raised by proponents of profiling is that crimes cannot be effectively addressed by investigations grounded in profiles created based on discriminatory features.
Violence and Racial Profiling
However, the opposing group contends that the predisposition to violence is not exclusive to African Americans. Despite being declared illegal in the Civil Rights Act of 1964, profiling persists in one form or another. It has become customary to associate various groups based on religion or ethnicity with certain activities or crimes, categorizing them as either likely or unlikely offenders. Even though profiling is legally prohibited in the United States, it still prevails within institutions where crimes are attributed to specific groups through profiling, such as Muslims, African Americans, and Chinese.
Pilar Quezzaire and Tracy DiLascio further emphasize that “Law enforcement agencies insist that profiling based on many factors is necessary to find criminals and protect the public” (1). Therefore, denying the existence of racial profiling altogether is seen as a mere practice, as it continues to persist in various forms despite legal prohibitions.
Middle Ground in Profiling
Nowadays, there are middle grounds in the ongoing debate. It is the responsibility of security agencies to monitor individuals they find suspicious. While research reveals instances of racial profilings, this pseudoscience does not guarantee one hundred percent accurate results. For instance, not all Muslims are terrorists, and not all individuals of African descent are criminals. However, this reality is often overlooked, leading criminals to exploit the pretext of racial profiling by the police or security agencies.
The common ground between both arguments is the acknowledgment that profiling exists in certain forms, where certain groups and races are presumed to be more likely to commit unlawful acts. Simultaneously, it is recognized that stereotyping has diminished, and contemporary racial profiling is often based on information or suspicious movements rather than broad generalizations.
Solution of Racial Profiling
The proposed solution to the issue is acknowledging that profiling exists at all levels. The need of the hour is to admit its existence against certain groups and ethnicities and to put an end to it. A constructive way forward is to involve the affected communities when instances of profiling occur and seek their feedback on the matter. Attributing every violent act to African Americans or Muslims as a terror-related incident does not resolve the underlying issues; instead, it fosters bias and prejudice among other communities, potentially leading to violence. Therefore, it is preferable for the initial stages of investigation to focus on indiscriminate interrogation rather than resorting to profiling. This approach can help address the root causes of incidents without perpetuating harmful stereotypes.
Conclusion: Racial Profiling
Therefore, it is crucial thatprofiling comes to an end following the acknowledgment of its existence. This is important as it unfairly designates certain ethnicities, races, and groups as scapegoats for investigative failures and crimes. The continuation of this profiling contributes to the polarization of society, fostering racial segregation and discrimination on both group and national levels, which becomes a stain on the nation’s image. Hence, the proposed third solution advocates for thorough investigation before resorting to racial profiling as a means to put an end to this practice.
Works Cited: Racial Profiling
- Quezzaire, Pilar and Tracey M. DiLascio. “Racial Profiling: An Overview.” Points of View: Racial Profiling, 30 Sept. 2016, p. 1. EBSCOhost, search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db
Relevant Questions about Racial Profiling
- How does the practice of racial profiling impact the relationship between law enforcement agencies and the communities they serve?
- What measures can be implemented to address and prevent instances of racial profiling in law enforcement and other institutions?
- How do legal frameworks and policies contribute to either mitigating or perpetuating profiling, and what changes can be made to promote fairness and equity in these systems?
