Racial Profiling Memo
MEMORANDUM
DATE: March 17, 2009
TO: Shari Malin
FROM: Wendy Quintana, Student
SUBJECT: Racial Profiling
INTRODUCTORY SUMMARY We have been assigned a problem analysis memo and I’ve chosen the topic of racial profiling, for being a minority myself. One usually associates racial profiling with police officers, but the truth is that it’s not limited to them only. There’s been racial profiling observed in every position of power. Some observers claim that racial profiling doesn't exist, but there is an abundance of stories and statistics that document the practice (Callahan & Anderson, 2001). My observations focus on the history, current state, and consequences of fixing racial profiling.
HISTORY OF RACIAL PROFILING Racial profiling occurs when race is used by law enforcement or private security officials, to any degree, as a basis for criminal suspicion in non-suspect specific investigations. Discrimination based on race, ethnicity, religion, nationality or on any other particular identity undermines the basic human rights and freedoms to which every person is entitled. (Amnesty International USA). Racial profiling started as a black and white problem, but with the presence of diverse minorities in this country, it’s focused on each and every single group in a certain manner. Yet again, racial profiling leaves out other racial groups which intend to commit certain crimes.
CURRENT STATE OF RACIAL PROFILING Minorities are more likely to be stopped than whites, and also are more likely to allow their vehicles to be searched. In the west coast, police are told to target Colombian males, Hispanics posing as a couple, and Hispanic males and African Americans driving together, for they are more likely to carry drugs than other races (Callahan & Anderson, 2001). We’re all familiar with the DWB joke. “Driving While Black”. If an African American happens to be driving around a mixed race or white neighborhood, chances are that he’ll be stopped by
DATE: March 17, 2009
TO: Shari Malin
FROM: Wendy Quintana, Student
SUBJECT: Racial Profiling
INTRODUCTORY SUMMARY We have been assigned a problem analysis memo and I’ve chosen the topic of racial profiling, for being a minority myself. One usually associates racial profiling with police officers, but the truth is that it’s not limited to them only. There’s been racial profiling observed in every position of power. Some observers claim that racial profiling doesn't exist, but there is an abundance of stories and statistics that document the practice (Callahan & Anderson, 2001). My observations focus on the history, current state, and consequences of fixing racial profiling.
HISTORY OF RACIAL PROFILING Racial profiling occurs when race is used by law enforcement or private security officials, to any degree, as a basis for criminal suspicion in non-suspect specific investigations. Discrimination based on race, ethnicity, religion, nationality or on any other particular identity undermines the basic human rights and freedoms to which every person is entitled. (Amnesty International USA). Racial profiling started as a black and white problem, but with the presence of diverse minorities in this country, it’s focused on each and every single group in a certain manner. Yet again, racial profiling leaves out other racial groups which intend to commit certain crimes.
CURRENT STATE OF RACIAL PROFILING Minorities are more likely to be stopped than whites, and also are more likely to allow their vehicles to be searched. In the west coast, police are told to target Colombian males, Hispanics posing as a couple, and Hispanic males and African Americans driving together, for they are more likely to carry drugs than other races (Callahan & Anderson, 2001). We’re all familiar with the DWB joke. “Driving While Black”. If an African American happens to be driving around a mixed race or white neighborhood, chances are that he’ll be stopped by