Psychological Arguments Against Racial Profiling

The majority of society believes that racial profiling does not exist, yet it does. Racial profiling creates the psychological assumption that all minorities will most likely engage in criminal activity, whether it is intentional or unintentional. This form of criminal action is illegal and is a transparent form of racism. Racial profiling is a severe problem in today’s society, whether it is in the U.S or in other countries. This sort of action is not based on one category. It can be based on race, gender, appearance, religion, etc. Racial profiling and the inability to protect to the minority society has prevented the minorities from trusting the law enforcement. According to Ramirez (2000), racial profiling is defined as any police action
Racial profiling is defined as the crucial or harsh treatment and discrimination of an individual because of his or her race, ethnicity, religion, or stereotypes associated with the individuals (Satzewich and Shaffir, 2009). Satzewich and Shaffir (2009), identified three elements that are associated with the disassociating from the accountability among law enforcement. These three elements include: denying that racial profiling still is present by making accusations about the recent changes in society towards fairness, diversity, and tolerance among higher authorities, the accusations that it is impossible to engage in racial profiling, and the act of blaming others or the victims for the criminal actions they committed (Satzewich and Shaffir (2009). In contrast, Henry and Tator (2011), found that one should not look at the overt behavior of individuals, but also observe the unintentional behavior that could possibly lead to severe problems or differences. Observing unintentional behavior refers to judging the minority based on appearance or assumptions of the race they are, instead of what they committed as a
Over twice as many whites were caught with drugs or weapons inside the car than blacks (Engel and Calnon, 2004). In the study of racial profiling in Miami-Dade, research shows that 7.8% blacks were caught with drugs or weapons, and 13.2% of whites were caught with drugs or wither weapons. The Hispanics were in between the blacks and whites which was 10.1%. The use of data and research can be used to provide information on how blacks can either be either the criminals or the victims, which means they are not always the criminals. Police enforcement and those who are a part of the minority community feel as though profiling is a serious issue. To keep track of profiling, agencies must keep up with the behavior of their officers by keeping track of police records. In a 1999, Stop and Frisk study, by New York Attorney General’s Office reported that more whites get stopped and get arrested by law enforcement than blacks. Study shows that blacks were stopped 9.5 times, Hispanics were stopped 8.8 times, and whites were stopped 7.9 times (Gelman, 2007). In the recent years, the NYPD released recent data that shows that 508 -540 individuals were stopped but only 50 of out 436 were arrested. 85.7% of the individuals were black or Hispanics (Lee and Rivera, 2007). Fax and Swatt (2008) identified