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The Truth About Racial Profiling

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The Truth About Racial Profiling
Crime and Stereotypes
The world has seen many different types of racism, race riots, hate crimes, etc. The most common one in the United States is racial profiling. For many decades, minorities have been the primary target of police departments around the United States. Supporters of racial profiling agree with the profiling system that police departments have adopted in recent years. However, many will argue that racial profiling just cannot work. Even though racial profiling sometimes does work, it is not the most effective technique police departments can use.
Racial profiling is used by police officers in the United States. Many will agree that minority groups are more likely to commit a crime simply because of their needs and their situation. Many, including police departments, see racial profiling as a precaution method rather than racism or discrimination issue.
Racial profiling is a crime-fighting strategy that is based on the assumption that by treating African-Americans, Latinos, and other minority groups as primary suspects police officers will increase the odds of catching criminals. Statistically, racial profiling makes sense because members of minority groups are more likely to be involved in criminal activities (Harris 11). “Many analysts refute the assertion that the U.S. criminal justice system is biased against minorities” (Crime 3). Racial profiling is not a “racist propaganda” but, a worrying fact. Facts like these are very upsetting but that does not make them any less true. Police officers would be taking a risk if they try to stop or make it less of a priority. Minorities a greatly overrepresented in arrest rates, incarceration rates, drug trafficking, etc. A law professor at Harvard law school defends racial profiling as “statistically based” (Harris 74). The system is backed up by statistics. It accurately punishes the ones who deserve it. There is a reason why black are more often arrested. “Blacks are more likely than whites to live



Cited: Colb, Sherry F.. “The New Face of Racial Profiling: How Terrorism Affects the Debate.” Findlaw.com 10 Oct. 2001. 12 Mar. 2007. . “Crime and Race.” Issues & Controversies On File 4 Apr. 2003. Issues & Controversies @ FACTS.com. Facts On File News Services. 15 Jan. 2007 . United States. Dept. of Justice. End Racial Profiling Act. Washington: GPO, 2003. Harris, David A.. Profiles in Injustice: Why Racial Profiling Cannot Work. : New Press, 2002. “Other Significant International Human Rights Treaties (sidebar).” Issues & Controversies On File 11 Oct. 2002. Issues & Controversies @ FACT.com. Facts On File News Services. 12 Mar. 2007 . “Race: Overview.” Public Agenda 12 Mar. 2007. . “Racial Profiling: Old and New.” American Civil Liberties Union 15 Jan. 2007. . “Racial Disparities.” Issues & Controversies On File 30 Apr. 2002. Issues & Controversies @ FACT.com. Facts On File News Services. 12 Mar. 2007 . “Racism and Corruption (sidebar).” Issues & Controversies On File 29 Jan. 1999. Issues & Controversies @ FACT.com. Facts On File News Services. 15 Jan. 2007 . Ramasastry, Anita. “Airplane Security: Terrorism Preventions or Racial Profiling.” CNN.com 2 Oct. 2002. 12 Mar. 2007. .

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