Racial profiling is a prevalent issue faced by black people both in America and around the world. It involves unjust treatment where individuals are targeted as potential criminals solely due to their race or ethnicity. Despite being illegal, racial profiling continues to persist, resulting in biased judgments based on skin color in everyday encounters. It is essential to recognize and confront this problem as it not only marginalizes and obstructs specific communities but also reinforces misconceptions about them.
Racial profiling is the practice of targeting specific ethnic groups, such as Asians, Arabs, African Americans, and Native Americans, based on perceived differences in superiority or inferiority. This discriminatory behavior is evident in colleges that specifically serve black students, highlighting the importance of creating a supportive environment where individuals can empathize with and comprehend each other’s challenges.
Two African Americans, Eric Garner and Michael Brown, were victims of racial profiling by the police, which led to their deaths (Natarajan). Eric Garner was approached by the police after being suspected of selling cigarettes without tax stamps. Despite denying the allegations, he resisted arrest by pulling his arm away. This prompted the police to restrain him in a headlock, ultimately resulting in his tragic death (Natarajan).
Michael Brown, an 18-year-old African American man, was shot 12 times by a white police officer. Out of these 12 shots, six connected, but the last one proved to be fatal (Natarajan). Singling out certain groups of people can hinder their progress and prevent them from achieving their goals.
This social injustice can hinder individuals from achieving their goals or any form of progress. The Black Codes serve as an instance of such hindrance. Enacted between 1865-1866, these laws aimed to curtail the freedom of African Americans and ensure their forced labor for minimal wages. Although officially declared free, African Americans were still impeded by the Black Codes. The purpose of these codes was to conceal the reality that black individuals were treated as nearly enslaved and not truly liberated.
Slavery is an exemplification of how racial profiling hampers individuals. This is due to the fact that, as a slave, you were regarded as property and had no agency or autonomy. Your sole purpose was to toil and follow instructions (History). Being viewed solely as a tool and not as a human being. Criticizing and fabricating falsehoods to hinder someone’s progress eventually alters perceptions of a particular group.
According to the ACLU, racial profiling can not only affect people’s perceptions of certain groups but also lead to unfair assumptions and limited opportunities for employment. It instills fear among individuals who depend on law enforcement for protection, resulting in unjust rejection of entire communities based on incorrect thoughts and accusations.
Natarajan suggests that racial profiling leads to African Americans being subjected to more frequent searches by law enforcement compared to white individuals. However, these searches are less likely to result in the discovery of illegal items. This unfair practice generates fear and negative perceptions towards a particular group, resulting in unjust accusations.
According to Natarajan, some people believe that blacks should be treated differently due to their association with illegal substances and weapons. However, the reality is that black individuals are subjected to more frequent searches than white individuals, which may explain the higher discovery rate of these unlawful items. Similarly, there is an argument for providing different treatment to blacks based on their residence in impoverished and crime-ridden areas. This can be attributed to the lack of opportunities for them to earn a higher income, leading them towards illegal means to support their families. Therefore, it is crucial to halt racial profiling.
Racial profiling is a widespread issue globally, with a particular prevalence in the United States. However, increasing awareness about this problem can help decrease its frequency. The way the US handles this awareness will determine the extent to which racial profiling occurs. To promote inclusivity for specific groups, acknowledge their achievements, and challenge existing prejudices, it is important to avoid stereotypes and unfair profiling.
