Racial profiling is a multifaceted problem in the United States. It affects every sector of the economy. Let us explore how deep-rooted the concern is and potential solutions. 

Racial profiling is not the only flaw of United States law enforcement, but it is one of the most widespread. Over the years, there have been a lot of essays on racial profiling. According to a 2019 Pew Research Center study, 31% of black women and 59% of black men have been unfairly stopped by policemen due to their background. Officers often treat hispanics and blacks more harshly than whites in similar situations. More often than not, the cases don’t result in an arrest. But there are few instances of death and injury when situations escalate. As a result, there is a poisonous relationship between minority communities and law agencies. This article will examine its impacts on society and possible solutions.

Understanding Racial Profiling: An In-Depth Analysis of Its Origins and Implications

Racial profiling occurs when an enforcement officer stops, questions, and searches or detains a person because of their appearance. It involves relying on generalizations based on color, descent, or origin. By all accounts, the practice stems from discriminatory decision-making. It is also a violation of basic privileges and contributes to ineffective policing.

Inequity based on background dates to the establishment of enforcement forces. Despite its obvious harmful appearance, some schools of thought believe it is fine. University professors assign related topics to help students explore the subject from different angles. If you’re writing a piece discussing its effect on society, either argue that it violates human rights or refute the claim. Use police racial profiling essay examples for inspiration and draft a perfect paper. Include all the talking points in your racial profiling thesis statement and share your findings.

Unlike the slave patrols, racially assessing someone has assumed a systematic modern approach in the last 20 years. In the 1980s, Florida’s DEA created a list of factors that come up in the biggest drug bursts and systemized them into profiles. It created Operation Pipeline to train policemen from over the country in points of profiling. The DEA denied including race-related appearances in its training. But after Operation Pipeline, tactics were incorporated into practices, and agencies started targeting black drivers systematically. It then spread from Florida to New Jersey, Maryland, and other parts of the country.

Prejudice due to cultural background is not always the result of bigotry. But we can’t deny that some people are bigots. The ones that are not racists often act on rational stereotypes and bias. The concept proposes that some ethnic groups have high crime rates compared to members of other factions. So, during an encounter, police view them with heightened suspicion. They also stop, search, arrest, or use excessive force against them.

The Impact of Racial Profiling: Examining the Ramification for Individuals and Society

Many racial discrimination cases end with traffic tickets, but sometimes, the outcome is death. Many people view it as an inconvenience. But those that experience targeted actions pay physical, financial, emotional, and psychological prices.

Loss of Life

On October 12, 1995, policemen killed 31-year-old Jonny Gammage. They claimed he initiated a struggle after he was pulled over. But a tow truck driver said he witnessed one officer start the fight while others joined in kicking Gammage as he lay on the pavement. All agents involved were tried for involuntary manslaughter but no conviction. Other famous murder cases are:

• 22-year-old Amadou Diallo on February 4, 1999. Four white agents fired 41 bullets, and none was convicted.
• 29-year-old Timothy Thomas was killed on April 7, 2001.
• Eric Garner was targeted and died on July 17, 2014.
• Michael Brown was killed on August 9, 2014.
• Walter Scott died after a police incident on April 4, 2015.
• Breonna Taylor was shot on March 13, 2020.
• George Floyd was beaten to death on May 25, 2020.

Prejudice by race is a health hazard, and it is not limited to the black community. It includes Asian, Indian, or Black and Brown. Interestingly, it happens everywhere. Whether you’re driving a car or walking down the curb, police stop Latino and African American pedestrians and frisk them for no reasonable cause.

Psychological Effect on Youths and Children

Tribal prejudice has lasting ramifications on children, particularly in the education system. Children learn to relate with others and interact with persons in authority. It also affects self-esteem and self-image later in life. There is a perception that kids from certain communities are aggressive and slow to learn. They also consider them as instigators of conflicts and problems at school. The affected communities include African American, Latin, Chinese, Arab, and Vietnamese.

Harmless behaviors are perceived as threatening if a racialized child is involved. Some of the issues and results are:

• Promotion of anti-social behaviors.
• Increased criminalization of children for acts that don’t threaten the safety of others.
• Negative psychological impact.
• Loss of educational opportunities from suspension and expulsion.

Creates Mistrust of Institutions

Tribal bias contributes to mistrust between adults and children and key institutions. For example, the enforcement agency, criminal justice system, and education system. Victims of abuse described feeling betrayed, and they question the intention of the authorities. The mistrust stems from personal experience or witnessing such incidents. As a result, they cope by feigning fake calmness before the police or avoiding going to them when they have a problem.

Toward a More Just Society: Strategies for Addressing the Persistence of Racial Profiling

Racialized communities live in a perpetual state of crisis. As a result, they develop various coping strategies to deal with the experiences. They include accepting negative stereotypes as true or feeling ashamed of their skin color and background.

Curbing tribal bias is complex and daunting but not impossible. Most police reforms prevent abuse generally and reduce profiling. Limiting qualified immunity will encourage agents to reduce abusive behaviors, including prejudice.

Another way to fight bias is to stop policies that allow profiling in border security. More importantly, we need behavioral change across various economic sectors. Educational institutions can also assign a racial profiling argumentative essay to intimate undergraduates with the topic. Alternatively, independent researchers may undertake a research paper on racial profiling for scholastic learning.

Conclusion

Everybody wants respect and dignity, but inequity takes that away from them. It sends a message that victims are less worthy of consideration. Its physical effects range from injuries to death. The economic cost also affects the bottom line of the victims. To address the problem, we must start with applicable legal frameworks. The government must promote equality and protect the privileges of the people. They have to ensure positive police interactions with stiff penalties for violations.