Racial Profiling

Stereotyping/Racial Profiling Debate

#controversy #okay2disagree.blogspot.co.uk

There are several definitions of racial profiling, including those established by different offices like the Office of the Arizona Attorney General. This office defines it as "Use by law enforcement personnel of an individual's race or ethnicity as a factor in articulating reasonable suspicion to stop, question or arrest an individual, unless race or ethnicity is part of an identifying description of a specific suspect for a specific crime."

Racial profiling is a phrase often used in law enforcement or the court system to refer to the use of a person's ethnicity or race to decide on whether to engage in some type of legal proceeding. The act itself is very controversial and considered by many as illegal and inappropriate.

Stereotyping

Stereotyping is a major issue that young people confront. The evidence indicates that because of stereotyping, assumptions and expectations are made of individuals sometimes resulting in false charges, differential treatment, and conflicts. Stereotyping influences the ways in which young people are dealt with by authority figures and adults in general. In a context of racism, stereotyping/racial profiling and discrimination thrive and limit the opportunities and possibilities of young racial minority people. It is incumbent on our institutions to pay attention to the conditions – the policies, practices, programs and individuals carrying out these policies – which perpetuate stereotyping, and in so doing build conditions that facilitate respect and appreciation for the human rights of our young minority people. 

article

http://www.ohrc.on.ca/en/race-policy-dialogue-papers/stereotyping-and-its-consequence-racial-minority-youth

Some comments I have found

Its not so much racial profiling as a statistical game. Most Muslim Terrorists are from the Middle East, so if you are looking for a Muslim Terrorist you look for someone with those particular features. If you are looking for a Klan member you look for the white man. Statistics are not a bad thing.

I am for using race as a part of criminal profiling, just as height, weight, tattoos, and other characteristics are used to find criminals. I do not support police treating people differently based upon race alone.

Racial profiling only supports inequality, and racism in the United States. Its wrong and horrendously inhumane... how would you like it if you went to Africa, and the police immediately arrested you because they thought you were part of the KKK?? Even IF in some magical way it works, its still completely ridiculous and the total opposite of what many people in society want, and isn't that one giant step towards xenophobia? You cannot base the actions of an entire race off the actions of it's few troublemakers.

http://www.debate.org/police-profiling/


As long as racial fear can be used to justify disproportionate force, killings like that of Mike Brown in Ferguson will continue.
New Statesmen
Ferguson has reinforced racial fear and lethal stereotypes
http://www.newstatesman.com/politics/2014/11/ferguson-has-reinforced-racial-fear-and-lethal-stereotypes


“As Attorney General, I have repeatedly made clear that racial profiling by law enforcement is not only wrong, it is misguided and ineffective – because it can mistakenly focus investigative efforts, waste precious resources and, ultimately, undermine the public trust. Particularly in light of recent incidents we’ve seen at the local level – and the concerns about trust in the criminal justice process which so many have raised throughout the nation – it’s imperative that we take every possible action to institute sound, fair and strong policing practices.”

Attorney General Eric Holder Announces Federal Restrictions And Bans On Racial Profiling

What are our views