Unjust Racial Profiling is Unacceptable
by: Andrea Santos
Racism is still evident in the country today. One of its factors that happens in communities is Racial Profiling. Unjust Racial Profiling is defined by most experts as when you stop someone solely based on their race. This is said to be profiled and stopping racial groups like African-American, Latinos, Asians, and Middle Easterners because of their races not because they committed street-level crimes. There are also reports that the police are not just inspecting them, but also verbally or some worse, physically abusing these citizens. A big factor of these racial groups that are being targeted by Law Enforcements are believed to be innocent. That is why there is a need to end this issue. Have you ever been accused of something that you did not do? Someone suspected that you are guilty of it because of who and what you are. Even worse, have you ever felt so lowly of yourself because someone thinks that they are superior to you? I believe that the racial groups that are being targeted by Law Enforcements feel this way and no one has a right to step down on these innocent people even though the ones that are suspecting them are the ones regulating the law. Therefore, to show equality in communities and prevent intolerable actions of some Law Enforcements, I believe that the police's workforce should be brief and regulated accordingly; they should also be aware that they are causing this to stop the practice of Racial Profiling.
It has been stated that Law Enforcements do practice Racial Profiling in communities. The practice of Racial Profiling in Law Enforcement can be justified in the recent interview I conducted with a professional from this field and she confirmed that Law Enforcements do practice Racial Profiling based on certain grounds. Professor Althea Seaborn is a Professor and Program Coordinator for Criminal Justice in Norwalk Community College. Professor Seaborn acknowledges that, "If I believe that there is really Racial Profiling, I believe they made a decision to stop the race not because of some other reason. If they are looking for a suspect and he happens to be black, for example that’s not Racial Profiling that is basically using race as a factor to help you solve a crime..” (Seaborn, n.p.). In this case, it really depends on what is the intention of a Law Enforcement that stops a certain race because justifiable Racial Profiling can be acceptable and used if it is the key to solve a serious crime. This practice started from way back centuries ago. The American Liberties Civil Union defends and preserves the individual rights and from their website, we can briefly know all about Racial Profiling. American Liberties Civil Union celebrates the fact that, “during the eras of lynching in the South in the 19th and early 20th centuries and the civil rights movement in the 1950's and 1960's, southern sheriffs sat idly by while racists like the Ku Klux Klan terrorized African Americans. At times, the sheriffs would even release black suspects to the lynch mobs” (ACLU, n.p.). From here it is proven that this has been a practice for so long. During this time, the racism of African-Americans is really evident so we can say here that they are targeting them based on their race. So, how does one closely distinguish if someone is being racially profiled? Also from American Civil Liberties Union, “Any definition of racial profiling must include, in addition to racially or ethnically discriminatory acts, discriminatory omissions on the part of law enforcement as well” (ACLU, n.p.). One way to put this if we are aware and we observe how Law Enforcements will act if a situation happens. Because I do believe not all Law Enforcements racially profile. Although, frequently a big percentage of certain police workforce in a state does this practice.
Statistical reports prove that Racial Profiling exists in America's roadways. These evidences show the cause and effect of the problem and this also proves that it is still an apparent issue. The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights published the article on March 2011. The article "The Reality of Racial Profiling" gives information that includes data reports that concluded to one outcome. These outcomes have the same results from a 2005 statistical report by the Department of Labor Bureau of Justice, a study done in Arizona and also same patterns from studies in other states like West Virginia and Minnesota. According to the organization of their article:
"Black drivers (4.5%) were twice as likely as White drivers (2.1%) to be arrested during a traffic stop, while Hispanic drivers (65%) were more likely than White (56.2%) or Black (55.8%) drivers to receive a ticket. In addition, Whites (9.7%) were more likely than Hispanics (5.9%) to receive a written warning, while Whites (18.6%) were more likely than Blacks (13.7%) to be verbally warned by police."
Overall, the statistical reports resulted that African- American and Hispanic Drivers and Motorists have larger percentage that is more likely to be arrested by the police compared to White Drivers. Included in this article a study done from Arizona, “during 2006-2007, the highway patrol was 3.5 times more likely to search a stopped Native American than a White, and 2.5 times more likely to search a stopped African-American or Hispanic” (Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights, n.p). In particular, this study conducted have similar results in the statistical reports that African-Americans and Hispanics are more likely to be stopped. This one pattern can also be seen in studies conducted from West Virginia and Minnesota data. If this still happening all over the country, why is there is no action to regulate the police's workforce properly? This means that there is a problem with the police’s workforce or the police officer for that matter. This proves that Law Enforcements stop certain racial groups not because they are speeding but because of their race. This evidence obviously considered as an unjust Racial Profiling.
Many citizens of color that are being accused walk away with traffic tickets, although too often are reported to be verbally or physically abused and in some cases viciously, death (ACLU, n.p.). In opposing viewpoints “Racial Profiling Exists” also by American Civil Liberties Union shows actual evidences that prove intolerable actions of some Law Enforcements. ACLU reports that, “In Seattle, Washington on July 2001 a group of 14 Asian American youth were stopped by police for jaywalking, claiming that they were kept against the wall for about an hour. The Seattle Times reported that one officer told them he had visited their country while in the army, and asked them repeatedly whether they spoke English. The Asian Freedom Project of Wisconsin issued a report that found the racial profiling of Hmong [an ethnic group from the mountains of Southeast Asia] communities there, and included the testimony of adults, as well as boys and girls” (ACLU, n.p.). This shows an unlawful act by some Law Enforcements. It is determined here that these citizens that are being targeted are innocent and was just outraged and mocked by police officers. It is shown from this evidence that the police officer is going beyond his authority thus, taking advantage of the police's power.
Based on my interview with Professor Althea Seaborn of the Criminal Justice Department in Norwalk Community College she willingly shared her experience being racially profiled. It was when late 1980s and she was driving a Nissan Sentra (one of the popular car among males selling drugs that time) on the highway entering Bronx, New York. She had a baseball cap and could have easily looked like a black male to the police officer. The officer was moving behind her every time she was changing lanes and certainly the officer asked her to pull over. Professor Seaborn argues that “I was so angry that I could barely roll the window down. I immediately showed my professional identification and demanded to know why he stopped me. He leveled with me, but did state that there were legitimate reasons that he could have pulled me over. It was a pretext for him to get into the car to see if I had drugs or a weapon or if I had an outstanding arrest warrant” (Seaborn,n.p.). This one credible experience of Racial Profiling from an expert reminds us that this practice has been conspicuous for years. This is considered an unjust Racial Profiling because even though the police officer was just being tentative and since the Nissan Sentra was really popular for males who sell drugs this is considered unreasonable. This is unreasonable because the officer was obviously targeting Professor Seaborn and he was suspicious too, because he thought he was a black male driver which is unjust Racial Profiling-- targeting someone solely based on their race. The officer was also lagging with Professor Seaborn when he was moving behind every time she was changing lanes. Eventually, asked her to pull over so he can inspect though she showed her professional identification (she was detective at that time) that is why the officer did not dig in more and inspect her car although as stated by her the officer still leveled in other words interrogated her. So if Professor Seaborn was not a professional from that field, she could have been inspected or even worse arrested by the Law Enforcement? How about other people who have experienced this what could have happened to them because apparently they are not all professionals from this field. This personal experience reports that this example is really reliable and good proof that it is really indisputable everywhere in the country.
Law Enforcements argue that they do not practice Racial Profiling and it does not exist in police’s workforce. Frank Gale a police officer in Denver Country Sheriff’s Department for twenty-three years and is national second vice president of the Fraternal Order of Police in his speech posted in opposing viewpoints, “The End Racial Profiling Act is Highly Flawed and Should Not Be Passed” he argues that The End of Racial Profiling Act is nonsense and will result a big burden to the police’s workforce. He is totally against the passing of this act because he believes that Racism in Law Enforcement does not exist. Officer Gale states:
“I want to begin by saying very clearly that racism is wrong. It is wrong to think a person is a criminal because of the color of his skin. But it is equally wrong to think a person is a racist because of the color of his uniform. This bill provides a "solution" to a problem that does not exist, unless one believes that the problem to be solved is that our nation's law enforcement officers are racist and that our nation's Law Enforcement agencies, helmed by chiefs and sheriffs, are training their officers in racist policies” (Gale, n.p.).
By all means, Officer Gale strongly believes that Racism does not exist in the police’s workforce anywhere in the country and no Law Enforcement racial profile because they are not racist. I totally disagree with Officer Gale’s arguments because it is obvious that he is speaking for every Law Enforcement in the country which is wrong because there are different police department in every state with different environment of workforce. He does not know how every police work in the other states so why is his reasoning out that Law Enforcements do not practice Racial Profiling? I believe that he does not want the End of Racial Profiling Act to be passed because some will lose “power” or superiority to people. His reasons obviously favor and concern the Law Enforcements. On the other hand, his argument of secret agencies using race to identify highly classified suspects might be helpful in that situation. However, we all know that the secret agencies are acclaimed professionals, they use that method because they already know based on evidences that they might be suspects, not because they are targeting them because their race.
In essence, Law Enforcements should stop the practice of Unjust Racial Profiling because it is unacceptable. They are not being lawful to every citizen of this country. Based on the facts, evidences and personal experience given we can say that Unjust Racial Profiling really exists in the police’s workforce. If no one will stop this practice, there will be more innocent people involved. Today, many Law Enforcements must fulfill what is considered as the “community promising model” which views community problems instead of specific crimes and incidents as the core of police work. They are also expected to be the only community servants in continual touch with the community they serve (Discoverpolicing.org, n.p.). For this reason, if this is the policy and quality they must follow why are some being so unjust and not even fulfilling this promise? If most Law Enforcements continue to do intolerable actions---practicing unjustifiable Racial Profiling, they will continue taking advantage of their authority to citizens which is what we are all trying to avoid in this country. Instead of them protecting, enforcing the law and maintaining the community quality of life they are the ones doing the opposite thing? That is why everyone should care about this issue even the ones who did not even experienced being racially profiled. Obviously, everyone lives in what is considered a community and everyone wants a safe, systematic and friendly community. In order for that to happen, everyone should disagree with these actions done by Law Enforcements and bring awareness to stop it. But most importantly, Law Enforcements should be aware that they are causing this problem and hopefully change their ways. I also believe that the police’s workforce should be brief and regulated consistently by higher administration of the government to ensure that this practice will totally subside. Imagine a community that everyone will be happy and contented to live in. It’s like living in a world without chaos, everyone is safe and satisfied. Wouldn’t you want to live in that place?
It has been stated that Law Enforcements do practice Racial Profiling in communities. The practice of Racial Profiling in Law Enforcement can be justified in the recent interview I conducted with a professional from this field and she confirmed that Law Enforcements do practice Racial Profiling based on certain grounds. Professor Althea Seaborn is a Professor and Program Coordinator for Criminal Justice in Norwalk Community College. Professor Seaborn acknowledges that, "If I believe that there is really Racial Profiling, I believe they made a decision to stop the race not because of some other reason. If they are looking for a suspect and he happens to be black, for example that’s not Racial Profiling that is basically using race as a factor to help you solve a crime..” (Seaborn, n.p.). In this case, it really depends on what is the intention of a Law Enforcement that stops a certain race because justifiable Racial Profiling can be acceptable and used if it is the key to solve a serious crime. This practice started from way back centuries ago. The American Liberties Civil Union defends and preserves the individual rights and from their website, we can briefly know all about Racial Profiling. American Liberties Civil Union celebrates the fact that, “during the eras of lynching in the South in the 19th and early 20th centuries and the civil rights movement in the 1950's and 1960's, southern sheriffs sat idly by while racists like the Ku Klux Klan terrorized African Americans. At times, the sheriffs would even release black suspects to the lynch mobs” (ACLU, n.p.). From here it is proven that this has been a practice for so long. During this time, the racism of African-Americans is really evident so we can say here that they are targeting them based on their race. So, how does one closely distinguish if someone is being racially profiled? Also from American Civil Liberties Union, “Any definition of racial profiling must include, in addition to racially or ethnically discriminatory acts, discriminatory omissions on the part of law enforcement as well” (ACLU, n.p.). One way to put this if we are aware and we observe how Law Enforcements will act if a situation happens. Because I do believe not all Law Enforcements racially profile. Although, frequently a big percentage of certain police workforce in a state does this practice.
Statistical reports prove that Racial Profiling exists in America's roadways. These evidences show the cause and effect of the problem and this also proves that it is still an apparent issue. The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights published the article on March 2011. The article "The Reality of Racial Profiling" gives information that includes data reports that concluded to one outcome. These outcomes have the same results from a 2005 statistical report by the Department of Labor Bureau of Justice, a study done in Arizona and also same patterns from studies in other states like West Virginia and Minnesota. According to the organization of their article:
"Black drivers (4.5%) were twice as likely as White drivers (2.1%) to be arrested during a traffic stop, while Hispanic drivers (65%) were more likely than White (56.2%) or Black (55.8%) drivers to receive a ticket. In addition, Whites (9.7%) were more likely than Hispanics (5.9%) to receive a written warning, while Whites (18.6%) were more likely than Blacks (13.7%) to be verbally warned by police."
Overall, the statistical reports resulted that African- American and Hispanic Drivers and Motorists have larger percentage that is more likely to be arrested by the police compared to White Drivers. Included in this article a study done from Arizona, “during 2006-2007, the highway patrol was 3.5 times more likely to search a stopped Native American than a White, and 2.5 times more likely to search a stopped African-American or Hispanic” (Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights, n.p). In particular, this study conducted have similar results in the statistical reports that African-Americans and Hispanics are more likely to be stopped. This one pattern can also be seen in studies conducted from West Virginia and Minnesota data. If this still happening all over the country, why is there is no action to regulate the police's workforce properly? This means that there is a problem with the police’s workforce or the police officer for that matter. This proves that Law Enforcements stop certain racial groups not because they are speeding but because of their race. This evidence obviously considered as an unjust Racial Profiling.
Many citizens of color that are being accused walk away with traffic tickets, although too often are reported to be verbally or physically abused and in some cases viciously, death (ACLU, n.p.). In opposing viewpoints “Racial Profiling Exists” also by American Civil Liberties Union shows actual evidences that prove intolerable actions of some Law Enforcements. ACLU reports that, “In Seattle, Washington on July 2001 a group of 14 Asian American youth were stopped by police for jaywalking, claiming that they were kept against the wall for about an hour. The Seattle Times reported that one officer told them he had visited their country while in the army, and asked them repeatedly whether they spoke English. The Asian Freedom Project of Wisconsin issued a report that found the racial profiling of Hmong [an ethnic group from the mountains of Southeast Asia] communities there, and included the testimony of adults, as well as boys and girls” (ACLU, n.p.). This shows an unlawful act by some Law Enforcements. It is determined here that these citizens that are being targeted are innocent and was just outraged and mocked by police officers. It is shown from this evidence that the police officer is going beyond his authority thus, taking advantage of the police's power.
Based on my interview with Professor Althea Seaborn of the Criminal Justice Department in Norwalk Community College she willingly shared her experience being racially profiled. It was when late 1980s and she was driving a Nissan Sentra (one of the popular car among males selling drugs that time) on the highway entering Bronx, New York. She had a baseball cap and could have easily looked like a black male to the police officer. The officer was moving behind her every time she was changing lanes and certainly the officer asked her to pull over. Professor Seaborn argues that “I was so angry that I could barely roll the window down. I immediately showed my professional identification and demanded to know why he stopped me. He leveled with me, but did state that there were legitimate reasons that he could have pulled me over. It was a pretext for him to get into the car to see if I had drugs or a weapon or if I had an outstanding arrest warrant” (Seaborn,n.p.). This one credible experience of Racial Profiling from an expert reminds us that this practice has been conspicuous for years. This is considered an unjust Racial Profiling because even though the police officer was just being tentative and since the Nissan Sentra was really popular for males who sell drugs this is considered unreasonable. This is unreasonable because the officer was obviously targeting Professor Seaborn and he was suspicious too, because he thought he was a black male driver which is unjust Racial Profiling-- targeting someone solely based on their race. The officer was also lagging with Professor Seaborn when he was moving behind every time she was changing lanes. Eventually, asked her to pull over so he can inspect though she showed her professional identification (she was detective at that time) that is why the officer did not dig in more and inspect her car although as stated by her the officer still leveled in other words interrogated her. So if Professor Seaborn was not a professional from that field, she could have been inspected or even worse arrested by the Law Enforcement? How about other people who have experienced this what could have happened to them because apparently they are not all professionals from this field. This personal experience reports that this example is really reliable and good proof that it is really indisputable everywhere in the country.
Law Enforcements argue that they do not practice Racial Profiling and it does not exist in police’s workforce. Frank Gale a police officer in Denver Country Sheriff’s Department for twenty-three years and is national second vice president of the Fraternal Order of Police in his speech posted in opposing viewpoints, “The End Racial Profiling Act is Highly Flawed and Should Not Be Passed” he argues that The End of Racial Profiling Act is nonsense and will result a big burden to the police’s workforce. He is totally against the passing of this act because he believes that Racism in Law Enforcement does not exist. Officer Gale states:
“I want to begin by saying very clearly that racism is wrong. It is wrong to think a person is a criminal because of the color of his skin. But it is equally wrong to think a person is a racist because of the color of his uniform. This bill provides a "solution" to a problem that does not exist, unless one believes that the problem to be solved is that our nation's law enforcement officers are racist and that our nation's Law Enforcement agencies, helmed by chiefs and sheriffs, are training their officers in racist policies” (Gale, n.p.).
By all means, Officer Gale strongly believes that Racism does not exist in the police’s workforce anywhere in the country and no Law Enforcement racial profile because they are not racist. I totally disagree with Officer Gale’s arguments because it is obvious that he is speaking for every Law Enforcement in the country which is wrong because there are different police department in every state with different environment of workforce. He does not know how every police work in the other states so why is his reasoning out that Law Enforcements do not practice Racial Profiling? I believe that he does not want the End of Racial Profiling Act to be passed because some will lose “power” or superiority to people. His reasons obviously favor and concern the Law Enforcements. On the other hand, his argument of secret agencies using race to identify highly classified suspects might be helpful in that situation. However, we all know that the secret agencies are acclaimed professionals, they use that method because they already know based on evidences that they might be suspects, not because they are targeting them because their race.
In essence, Law Enforcements should stop the practice of Unjust Racial Profiling because it is unacceptable. They are not being lawful to every citizen of this country. Based on the facts, evidences and personal experience given we can say that Unjust Racial Profiling really exists in the police’s workforce. If no one will stop this practice, there will be more innocent people involved. Today, many Law Enforcements must fulfill what is considered as the “community promising model” which views community problems instead of specific crimes and incidents as the core of police work. They are also expected to be the only community servants in continual touch with the community they serve (Discoverpolicing.org, n.p.). For this reason, if this is the policy and quality they must follow why are some being so unjust and not even fulfilling this promise? If most Law Enforcements continue to do intolerable actions---practicing unjustifiable Racial Profiling, they will continue taking advantage of their authority to citizens which is what we are all trying to avoid in this country. Instead of them protecting, enforcing the law and maintaining the community quality of life they are the ones doing the opposite thing? That is why everyone should care about this issue even the ones who did not even experienced being racially profiled. Obviously, everyone lives in what is considered a community and everyone wants a safe, systematic and friendly community. In order for that to happen, everyone should disagree with these actions done by Law Enforcements and bring awareness to stop it. But most importantly, Law Enforcements should be aware that they are causing this problem and hopefully change their ways. I also believe that the police’s workforce should be brief and regulated consistently by higher administration of the government to ensure that this practice will totally subside. Imagine a community that everyone will be happy and contented to live in. It’s like living in a world without chaos, everyone is safe and satisfied. Wouldn’t you want to live in that place?
WORKS CITED:
American Civil Liberties Union. "Racial Profiling Exists." Racial Profiling. Ed. David Erik Nelson. Detroit: Greenhaven Press, 2009. Opposing Viewpoints. Rpt. from "Racial Profiling: Definition." www.aclu.org. 2005. Opposing Viewpoints in Context. Web. 2 Dec. 2015.
Discoverpolicing.org. “A Call to Serve”. A Call to Serve. Matrix Group International Inc. 2008-2015. Web. 2 December 2015.
Gale, Frank. "The End Racial Profiling Act Is Highly Flawed and Should Not Be Passed." Racial Profiling. Ed. Carol Ullmann and Lynn M. Zott. Detroit: Greenhaven Press, 2013. Opposing Viewpoints. Rpt. from "Testimony of Frank Gale, National Second Vice President, Grand Lodge, Fraternal Order of Police, on 'Ending Racial Profiling in the United States,'." 2012. Opposing Viewpoints in Context. Web. 2 Dec. 2015.
The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights “The Reality of Racial Profiling”. Racial Profiling. The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights/The Leadership Conference Education Fund, March 2011. Web. 2 December 2015.
Seaborn, Althea. Personal Interview. 2 December 2015.
American Civil Liberties Union. "Racial Profiling Exists." Racial Profiling. Ed. David Erik Nelson. Detroit: Greenhaven Press, 2009. Opposing Viewpoints. Rpt. from "Racial Profiling: Definition." www.aclu.org. 2005. Opposing Viewpoints in Context. Web. 2 Dec. 2015.
Discoverpolicing.org. “A Call to Serve”. A Call to Serve. Matrix Group International Inc. 2008-2015. Web. 2 December 2015.
Gale, Frank. "The End Racial Profiling Act Is Highly Flawed and Should Not Be Passed." Racial Profiling. Ed. Carol Ullmann and Lynn M. Zott. Detroit: Greenhaven Press, 2013. Opposing Viewpoints. Rpt. from "Testimony of Frank Gale, National Second Vice President, Grand Lodge, Fraternal Order of Police, on 'Ending Racial Profiling in the United States,'." 2012. Opposing Viewpoints in Context. Web. 2 Dec. 2015.
The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights “The Reality of Racial Profiling”. Racial Profiling. The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights/The Leadership Conference Education Fund, March 2011. Web. 2 December 2015.
Seaborn, Althea. Personal Interview. 2 December 2015.