Preview

Ethical Issues in Film

Powerful Essays
Open Document
Open Document
1518 Words
Grammar
Grammar
Plagiarism
Plagiarism
Writing
Writing
Score
Score
Ethical Issues in Film
Racial profiling is a term society has become familiar with in the past few years; however, it is not a new phenomenon. Racial profiling according to Fredrickson, "occurs when law enforcement officials rely on race, skin color, and/or ethnicity as an indication of criminality, reasonable suspicion, or probable cause, except when it is part of the description of a particular suspect" (1). There are many opposing views on racial profiling; some believe it to be a useful tool used by law enforcement, while others believe it to be another way to discriminate against minorities. This paper sets out to examine racial profiling from its origin to present day, taking a look into both sides of the racial profiling issue to find what if any laws are in place to prevent racial profiling from taking place.
Racial discrimination is not a new phenomenon it can be traced back over one hundred years to slavery times. Dark skinned individuals have always been seen as inferior to that of the white man. Even after slavery was abolished there was still segregation; separate drinking fountains, restrooms, colleges/educational facilities and bus seats for blacks and whites. This mentality has carried over to law enforcement and is seen today in the form of racial profiling. Racial discrimination has been around almost as far as we can look back in history; however, we can see a clear beginning to racial profiling of individuals within law enforcement.
Over and over again on the news, radio, or by word of mouth we hear the stories of racial profiling by police, here is a story that shows how dangerous racial profiling is, not just to the victims but to all those of "color" living within the United States. Mr. Garcia was targeted as he and his six-year-old son and eight-year-old daughter waited in the car for his wife. He was approached by a police officer that requested his identification. When he questioned the need to show his I.D., the officer became angry, cursed at him, and


Cited: Balkin, Karen. Civil Rights. San Diego: Greenhaven Press, 2004. Fredrickson, D. Racial Profiling: Eliminating the Confusion. Springfield: Charles C. Thomas Publishers, 2002. Free, Marvin. Racial Issues in Criminal Justice: The Case of African Americans. Westport: Praeger Inc, 2003. Heuman, Milton. Good Cop, Bad Cop: Racial Profiling and Competing Views of Justice in America. New York: P. Lang, 2003. MacDonald, Heather. Are Cops Racist? Chicago: I.R. Dee, 2003. O 'Reilly, James. Police Traffic Stops and Racial Profiling: Resolving Management, Labor and Civil Rights Conflicts. Springfield: Charles C. Thomas, 2002. Pampel, F.C. Racial Profiling. New York: Facts on File Inc, 2004.
Continue Reading
View Writing Issues

You May Also Find These Documents Helpful

  • Good Essays

    Good Cop Bad Cop Summary
    • 575 Words
    • 3 Pages

    Good Cop Bad Cop Summary

    in depth reading into the history and debate of racial profiling. Each author brings to the…

    • 575 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Satisfactory Essays

    Summary: The End Racial Profiling Act
    • 118 Words
    • 1 Page

    Summary: The End Racial Profiling Act

    The bill to prohibit the use of racial profiling is known as the “The End Racial Profiling Act” as introduced by Benjamin L. Cardin. Cardin widely addresses the deceptive practice of racial profiling by law enforcement on five levels. First, it visibly defines the racially prejudiced practice of racial profiling by law enforcement at all levels. Second, it generates a federal prohibition against racial profiling. Thirdly, it mandates data collection so we can completely assess the factual degree of the problem. Fourth, it provides funding for the reinstruction of law enforcement officials on how to stop and avoid the use of racial profiling. Fifth and finally, it holds law enforcement agencies that continue to use racial profiling…

    • 118 Words
    • 1 Page
    Satisfactory Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Racial Profiling Case Study Answers
    • 699 Words
    • 3 Pages

    Racial Profiling Case Study Answers

    Antonovics, K. & Knight, B. G. (2009). A new look at racial profiling: Evidence from the…

    • 699 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Powerful Essays

    NYPD: Stop, Question And Frisk Policy
    • 2830 Words
    • 12 Pages

    NYPD: Stop, Question And Frisk Policy

    Racial Profiling in the Criminal Justice system. Racial Profiling has been argued to be a very ineffective style of community policing in the criminal justice system. Using the New York City Police Department, “Stop, Question & Frisk” Policy as a model, I will show that profiling has led to lower crime rates which is shown from a current and historical point of view. Using history as a tool, in time periods where New York City seen the highest peaks of crime, through interviews and official documents, I will show data on different races being profiled for crimes in different communities. Some would argue that…

    • 2830 Words
    • 12 Pages
    Powerful Essays
    Read More
  • Better Essays

    Trayvon Martin: The Reality Of Racial Profiling
    • 1380 Words
    • 6 Pages

    Trayvon Martin: The Reality Of Racial Profiling

    In terms of motorists, in 2005 Black drivers were three times more likely to be stopped and searched by police than Whites, and were twice as likely than White drivers to be arrested during a traffic stop (“Reality of Racial Profiling”). These findings demonstrate that police are more likely to target people of color than Whites and case studies have shown that this practice is counterproductive and a misallocation of law enforcement resources. For example, in Arizona although Black motorists were more likely than Whites to be stopped and searched, Whites who were searched were more likely to be carrying contraband (“Reality of Racial Profiling”). The case study in Arizona exemplifies a problem in the criminal justice system that must be addressed. Minority motorists are more likely than White motorists to be stopped and harassed by police based off the inherent belief that people of a minority race, ethnicity, or religion are more likely to engage in criminal or unlawful activity than…

    • 1380 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Better Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Summary: The Authenticity Of Racial Profiling
    • 749 Words
    • 3 Pages

    Summary: The Authenticity Of Racial Profiling

    The monumental Supreme Court case Terry vs. Ohio helped to shed tremendous light on the matter. The case pretty much made racial profiling harder to conduct for police. A law was passed because of this case which it made officers have to retain a search warrant in order to search a civilian’s property or belongings. Also law enforcement is unable to stop and frisk someone anywhere they please, for example a high crime area.…

    • 749 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    James Forman's Arrested Development
    • 475 Words
    • 2 Pages

    James Forman's Arrested Development

    He recognizes three central points that support his thesis that racial profiling contravenes most of conservatives’ fundamental beliefs. He points out how racial profiling affects students of minorities and gives them the impression that they do not have equal opportunities as white students. Then Forman addresses the issue of “color-blindness” and how a San Diego police force succeeded over New Yorks with less police. All arguments shed light on how ironic the conservatives support of racial profiling actually…

    • 475 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Racial Profiling: a Modern Day Epidemic
    • 643 Words
    • 3 Pages

    Racial Profiling: a Modern Day Epidemic

    Did you know that an appalling, unconstitutional and pernicious attack happens continuously in today’s society against innocent citizens and nobody does anything about it? This practice is called racial profiling. Mr. Bob Herbert, a journalist for the New York Times, discusses this in his article, “Hounding the Innocent”. This article is an insightful and informative. He informs his readers about many actual situations of innocent citizens becoming victims of this cruel practice. Mr. Herbert is correct, racial profiling is unnecessary and hurtful or is sickening and should not even exist. Racial profiling is the practice of using one’s skin color as evidence for grounds of suspicion. How can one say that this practice is fair? Racial profiling should be eliminated; it is insensitive, unconstitutional and has a detrimental effect on society.…

    • 643 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Better Essays

    An Examination of the Policy of Racial Profiling
    • 1414 Words
    • 5 Pages

    An Examination of the Policy of Racial Profiling

    Racial Profiling is a controversial law enforcement practice that brings about numerous complex ethical and policy considerations. As defined by report for the Department of Justice (Tamir 2009), racial profiling is “any police-initiated action that relies on the race, ethnicity, or national origin rather than the behavior of an individual or information that leads police to a particular individual who has been identified as being, or having been, engaged in criminal activity.” Generally, the use of race in conjunction with other evidence has been a common method of investigation for law enforcement officials. However, the use of race in targeting potential suspects has been the center of a complex legal and ethical debate. Specifically, the debate surrounding racial profiling offers the issue of the proper use of race in targeting a suspect in a criminal investigation. Though the use of race can be important in investigative and law enforcement tactics, the practice of racial profiling leads to the potential of abusive actions by law enforcement in the pursuit of apprehending criminal suspects.…

    • 1414 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Better Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Racial Profiling Is A Bad Ide Rhetorical Analysis
    • 1254 Words
    • 6 Pages

    Racial Profiling Is A Bad Ide Rhetorical Analysis

    In the United States of America racial discrimination still exists to this day. Minorities in our country are not seen as equal people. When a person is deprived of their human rights it makes them feel degraded and troubled. In order to become a more civilized country, we must forget the color of our own skin and live with each other as one. In the article “Why Racial Profiling is a Bad Idea” by Tom Head, discusses the way cops pay more attention to those of minority races and how they usually find them guilty of crimes they didn’t commit. Even though many officers will deny their participation in this type of profiling, a lot use this tactic to pull over and arrest Minority races. The article “Racial Profiling Lives On” by Devon Carbado, Cheryl Harris and Kimberle Crenshaw, also displays examples of how racial profiling continues to this day. There are many ways cops can search/arrest African Americans or other Minorities for no reason and still keep from breaking the Fourth Amendment and the authors of “Racial Profiling Lives On” supports there claims with emotional examples that appeal to a pathological type of audience.…

    • 1254 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    stop and frisk policy
    • 761 Words
    • 4 Pages

    stop and frisk policy

    1. BIAS IN POLICE STOPS? In the late 1990s, popular, legal, and political concerns were raised across the United States about police harassment of minority groups in their everyday encounters with law enforcement. These concerns focused on the extent to which police were stopping people on the highways for “driving while black” (seeWeitzer 2000; Harris 2002; Lundman and Kaufman 2003). Additional concerns were raised about racial bias in pedestrian stops of citizens by police predicated on “zero-tolerance” policies to control quality-of-life crimes and policing strategies concentrated in minority communities that targeted illegal gun possession and drug trafficking (see Fagan, Zimring, and Kim 1998; Greene 1999; Skolnick and Caplovitz 2001; Fagan and Davies 2000, 2003; Fagan 2002; Gould and Mastrofski 2004).…

    • 761 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Satisfactory Essays

    Pros And Cons Of Racial Profiling
    • 146 Words
    • 1 Page

    Pros And Cons Of Racial Profiling

    Racial profiling is a very widespread topic. Racial profiling is beginning to spread across the United States and many other countries as if a fire spread in a forest. It is important for us to understand that racial profiling is impractical and hurtful to the persons targeted. It is also important for people to recognize that racial profiling puts fear into people’s hearts and that can have an emotional impact on the way people think, act and even their character. Racial Profiling should be a exercise that should be ended in all places including the court system and law enforcement. One can come up with several illustrations declaring its advantages and disadvantages. Although racial profiling can be useful in certain cases it is incorrect…

    • 146 Words
    • 1 Page
    Satisfactory Essays
    Read More
  • Better Essays

    Racial Profiling
    • 1321 Words
    • 6 Pages

    Racial Profiling

    presented by advocates of the use of racial profiling as a law enforcement tactic is that race (or…

    • 1321 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Better Essays
    Read More
  • Better Essays

    Is Racial Profiling Defensible Public Policy?
    • 1356 Words
    • 6 Pages

    Is Racial Profiling Defensible Public Policy?

    The judging of an individual’s character by their race did not become relevant because of the Rodney King beating, the attacks on the World Trade Center, or the illegal aliens crossing the Mexican border. Racial Discrimination has been a reoccurring issue for centuries. Throughout time, these judgments and discriminations have led to unwarranted searches, racial riots and unjust prosecutions. Racial Profiling not only adds to this overwhelming issue but is upheld by the U.S. government and prominent leaders. Racial profiling has caused divisions between black men and the police, negative effects on immigration and race relations, and false imprisonment, further proving that racial profiling is not defensible public policy.…

    • 1356 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Better Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Racial Profiling
    • 1204 Words
    • 5 Pages

    Racial Profiling

    The criminal justice system of America is deeply scarred with racial bias. Crimes are being committed and, in turn, are resulting with innocent people doing hard-time. Thankfully, newfound methods of appealing court rulings are finding justice for these minorities; however, the results are as shocking as the crimes being committed. When it was found that the majority of successful appeals were of minorities, the true defects of the system was apparent. The minority community is being critically judged for things they’re not doing.…

    • 1204 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More

Related Topics