StudentShare
Contact Us
Sign In / Sign Up for FREE
Search
Go to advanced search...
Free

Racial Profiling - Research Paper Example

Cite this document
Summary
This research paper talks about racial profiling, which has become a major issue in the fast evolving societal norms. It is the most despicable practice that violates human rights and promotes a sense of inequality and fear among the minority ethnic groups…
Download full paper File format: .doc, available for editing
GRAB THE BEST PAPER98.1% of users find it useful
Racial Profiling
Read Text Preview

Extract of sample "Racial Profiling"

Racial Profiling Introduction The technological advancements and modernization process has brought in a new set of values which are global in essence but culturally unique in content. The world is thus moving towards a multicultural society that is an amalgamation of people from different countries, races and religion. The social changes brought about by rapid globalization, have changed the socio- cultural values of a country, forcing them to formulate new strategies and policies to meet the challenges of the emerging pluralistic societies. In the fast evolving societal norms, the increasing cases of racial profiling, has become a major issue. It is the most despicable practice that violates human rights and promotes a deliberate sense of inequality and fear among the minority ethnic group who are designated by their color of skin. Hence it forces one raise the most important questions; should racial profiling be banned? Outrage Broadly speaking racial profiling can be defined as those actions of police and government officials that are based on racial prejudices. In the new emerging equations of society, racial profiling has become extremely contentious and the discriminate behavior of police and people in authority in government departments, have posed very serious questions of the relevance of the fundamental rights of the citizens possessing different skin color. More than thirty two million Americans have been subjected to racial profiling and approximately eighty seven millions Americans are at high risk of being subjected to it in future (Amnesty international, 2004). The human rights violation and harassment, in the name of justice has provoked a widespread feeling of outrage and national shame. There is urgent need to address racial profiling. Vito and Walsh (2006) have asserted that ‘African American drivers were twice as likely as white drivers to be queried… a proactive traffic stop represents a conflict situation.. especially if the officers fail to inform the motorist why he or she was stopped’. Ground realities According to Macionis ‘Between 1820 (when the government began keeping track of immigration) and 2003, some 69 million people have added their ways of life to the mix of cultures in the United States … we must move beyond shared cultural patterns to consider the importance of cultural diversity’ (Manionis, 1995, chapter 2,). He further confirms that ‘Racism has also been widespread in the United States, where, for centuries, ideas about racial inferiority supported slavery’ (Manionis, 1995, chapter 11). While Jim Crow rules may have become obsolete, in almost all spheres of human interaction, racial discrimination is still prevalent in the American society in some form of overt or covert dimension. Racial profile as harassment technique Racial profiling is increasingly becoming a regular practice with the police and the government authority to harass people of different color. Juan Antonio Juarez, author of ‘Brotherhood of Corruption’, has exposed the shocking truths about police brutality and human rights abuse of people based on particular color (Juarez, 2004). According to the author, Charles Briggs, ‘just as police officers in United States single out people of color for traffic stops and searches, clinicians and public health authorities sometimes assume that members of particular communities are natural target for some particular disease… and are even presented as threats to the health of the body politic’ (Briggs ,2003). Institute of Race and Poverty, Minnesota has also advocated a drastic change of strategy in upholding the civil rights of its citizens irrespective of race and color of skin. Studies have revealed that racial profiling is one of the most pressing civil rights issues of our time. It undermines the legitimacy of the criminal justice system, and hinders effective policing in the communities that need it the most (IRP, 2000). Racial profiling as major tool of cultural barrier Racial profiling is promoting cultural barrier that are detrimental for socio economic development of the nation as a whole. Gregory Mantios in his paper ‘media magic: Making Class Invisible’ clearly negates this claim by stating that the affluent class enjoys unprecedented power and privileges and the concept of an egalitarian society is nothing but an eyewash. According to it, the media has misused its power of representation of issues and priorities and American society is very class conscious. Consequently, the socio political role of the poor and the minority has been marginalized so much so, that either they have become ‘faceless identities’ or undeserving social outcastes (Mantios, 1995). It extends beyond direct victims to negatively affect all persons of color of all generations and income levels, creating socio-cultural barriers and ill feelings. Racial Profile – violation of human rights In the recent times, racial profiling has become the most abusive practice in the American society that violates human rights and promotes a deliberate sense of inequality and fear among the minority ethnic group who are designated by their color of skin. The human rights violation and harassment, in the name of justice has provoked a wide spread feeling of outrage and national shame. Very often the rationale behind the government decisions is based on wider perception of violent activities and drug trafficking where the gang membership is predominantly African America. (Coker, 2003). There is urgent need to address racial profiling. Techniques of racial profiling Canadian Review of Policing Research had defined it as ‘a racial disparity in police stop and search practices, customs searches at airports and border-crossings, in police patrols in minority neighborhoods and in undercover activities or sting operations which target particular ethnic groups’ (cbc, 2005). Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act or FISA is a government act that legitimizes the collection of information regarding foreigners by the state intelligence to protect the state against espionage, terrorism, sabotage, assassination, hijacking or any other such activities that may be conducted by the foreign agency or state or such elements (FISA). It allows the law enforcement authorities to use electronic surveillance like wire tapping, eavesdropping, permits physical entries for investigation and any other such activities to gain information from agents regarding foreign intelligence that may be against the interest of the state. The recent times have seen increasing use of the act to target people of certain color and race. It also deploys more trained marshals and better screening facilities for the passengers and the luggage as well as for air cargo. Use of advanced technology and thorough checking of the credentials of the airport staff, including biometric indicators, are incorporated to ensure enhanced security. The use of CAPPS II (computer assisted passengers prescreening system) using finger printing and biometric indicators, have been made compulsory. CAPPS II also uses national security and commercial databases to assess risk and identify passengers for extra screening raising concern about privacy rights and civil liberties (TSA). Meaning and scope of accountability The scope of accountability has gone beyond the rhetoric to encompass the transparency in the work process. The changing environment of values and work ethics has necessitated that the parties involved must be responsive to the impact that their decisions, actions and behavior have on the people at large. According to Mulgan (2000), the scope and meaning of accountability ‘has been applied to internal aspects of official behavior, beyond the external focus implied by being called to account; to institutions that control official behavior other than through calling officials to account; to means of making officials responsive to public wishes other than through calling them to account; and to democratic dialogue between citizens where no one is being called to account’. Conclusion In 2001, The President of America, George Bush had acknowledged the abuse of human rights in the form of racial profiling. He had announced that ‘we’ll end it in America (Feb 27, 2001). Due to the seriousness of racial profiling, the Justice department has developed guidelines to make it clear that it is prohibited in Federal Law Enforcement (USDOJ, 2003). In the new emerging equations of society in the age of rapid globalization, racial discrimination has become extremely contentious and the discriminate behavior of police and people in authority in government departments, have posed very serious questions of the relevance of the fundamental rights of the citizens possessing different skin color. Indeed, the changing order has tremendously transformed not only the social structure but the upwardly mobile ethnic population has become a significant economic force whose interest considerations are important for the socio-economic development of the nation as a whole. Ethnic population coming from diverse regions, races and cultures have brought in their own distinct personalities, bringing in a plethora of new issues and new challenges that need to be addressed urgently to create amicable environment of mutual respect and avoid conflicts. It is high time that racial profiling is banned and stringent punishment is implemented for perpetrators of racial profiling. Reference Amnesty International USA. (2004). Racial Profiling. Available from: http://www.amnestyusa.org/Other/RP_Report__Threat_and_Humiliation/page.do?id=1106664&n1=3&n2=850&n3=1532 [21 June, 2009]. Briggs, Charles, L and Briggs, Clara Martini. (2003). Stories in the time of Cholera: Racial Profiling. California. University of California Press. CBCNEWS. (26 May 2005). Racial Profiling. Available from: [21 June, 2009]. Coker, Donna. (2003). Supreme Court Review. The Journal of Criminal Law and Injustice, 93(4), 827-879. Institute of Race and Poverty. (2000). University of Minnesota. Available from: [21 June, 2009]. Juarez, Juan Antonio. (2004). Brotherhood in Corruption. Chicago Review Press. Macionis, John J. (2006). The Basics. Eighth Edition Prentice-Hall. Copyright © 2006 by Pearson Education, Inc. Chapter 2 & 11. Mantsios, Gregory. (1995). Media magic: Making class invisible. In P. S. Rothenberg (Ed.), Race, class, and gender in the United States (3rd ed.). New York: St. Martins Press. Mulgan, Richard. (2000). Accountability: An Ever-Expanding Concept? Public Administration, 78(3), 555–573 doi:10.1111/1467-9299.00218. Nagel, Thomas. (1979).Equality” in Mortal Questions. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. Vito, Gennaro F and Walsh William F. (2006). Suspicion and traffic stops: crime control or racial profiling.International Journal of Police Science & Management, 10(1), 89-100. US Department of Justice. (2003). Available from: [21 June, 2009]. Read More
Cite this document
  • APA
  • MLA
  • CHICAGO
(“Racial Profiling Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words - 1”, n.d.)
Retrieved from https://studentshare.org/sociology/1555889-racial-profiling
(Racial Profiling Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 Words - 1)
https://studentshare.org/sociology/1555889-racial-profiling.
“Racial Profiling Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 Words - 1”, n.d. https://studentshare.org/sociology/1555889-racial-profiling.
  • Cited: 0 times

CHECK THESE SAMPLES OF Racial Profiling

Racial Profiling Questions

By itself the education of the youth still leaves an entire generation (generation Y and X) without the benefit of understanding why Racial Profiling is wrong.... The racial discrimination that has been festering in this nation since its inception, taking form in racial prejudice and approach towards American Indians, African Americans, Scotch/Irish, Chinese, Japanese, Mexican Americans and Arab Americans.... The racial discrimination that has been festering in this nation since its inception, taking form in racial prejudice and approach towards American Indians, African Americans, Scotch/Irish, Chinese, Japanese, Mexican Americans and Arab Americans....
1 Pages (250 words) Coursework

Face of Racial Profiling

In the paper “Face of Racial Profiling” the author analyzes offender profiles, which is described as a series of behavioral and personal characteristics related with specific offenses, to make predictions regarding the type of person that may commit future crimes.... nbsp; “Racial Profiling in any manifestation is a flawed law enforcement tactic that is in direct conflict with constitutional values” (MacDonald, 2001).... “Racial Profiling in any manifestation is a flawed law enforcement tactic that is in direct conflict with constitutional values” (MacDonald, 2001)....
5 Pages (1250 words) Research Paper

Racial profiling against american minorities

This paper will show some facts, illustrations and situations that "Racial Profiling against American minorities" really exists.... Racial Profiling will not help the policing procedures becomes effective and the insurance practices as well.... At the end of the paper the reader will agree or disagree on matter involving Racial Profiling against African American in policing procedures and insurance policies.... Racial Profiling is one of the most frequently debated topics in the U....
12 Pages (3000 words) Essay

Discrimination and Racial Profiling

An Racial Profiling The population of the United s of America as of March 28, was 320.... The African-Americans are the largest racial minority at 13.... The African-Americans are the largest racial minority at 13.... 81% of this population resided in the cities as well as suburbs....
1 Pages (250 words) Coursework

Racial Profiling: Inductive and Deductive

The author of the "Racial Profiling: Inductive and Deductive" paper examines the merits regarding the Inductive and Deductive Criminal Profiling methodologies so as to provide policy management a detailed account of the intrinsic worth of Racial Profiling.... The term criminal profiling progresses to Racial Profiling when the defining characteristics used comprise ethnicity, religion, or race.... Racial Profiling is, by anyone's definition, a rational method of discrimination....
6 Pages (1500 words) Coursework

Racial Profiling in the USA

This essay "Racial Profiling in the USA" elaborates oh how Racial Profiling is a major concern among law enforcement agencies in the United States because it is viewed as a form of racism.... This shows that Racial Profiling is occurring here, as, despite the fact that a higher number of whites are being pulled over, blacks and Latinos are more likely to be searched.... They are simply guilty of buying into racial stereotypes that are present in society and are shared by all the races....
7 Pages (1750 words) Essay

Racial Profiling Is Ineradicable

The paper "Racial Profiling Is Ineradicable" argues that racial prejudices are fed by media in a way advantageous to the officials.... nbsp; However, the problem of Racial Profiling continues within the adult generations, generation after generation.... The term 'Racial Profiling' is typically applied in the enforcement arena, but can be equally applied in the social realm.... nbsp; Prior to the terrorist attacks that took place in the United States on September 11, 2001, most people associated the term 'Racial Profiling' with the common but often unspoken practice of police officers to stop and harass young black drivers in a much higher percentage than they did this same activity with drivers of other skin tones....
12 Pages (3000 words) Essay

Black Men and Racial Profiling

The paper "Black Men and Racial Profiling" discusses the incident, leading to the definition of Racial Profiling, a brief history including an investigation of the roots which gave rise to Racial Profiling in America, the data of a study on Racial Profiling, the experience of African Americans.... hellip; This section includes the data of a research study conducted on Racial Profiling.... he above incident leads to the definition of Racial Profiling....
6 Pages (1500 words) Essay
sponsored ads
We use cookies to create the best experience for you. Keep on browsing if you are OK with that, or find out how to manage cookies.
Contact Us