Why Discriminate? 5/01/17

The exact definition of racial profiling is as follows : “a controversial and illegal discriminatory practice in which individuals are targeted for suspicion of crimes based on their ethnicity, race, or religion rather than on evidence based suspicious behavior.” On the surface, racial profiling doesn’t seem to be that big of an issue. After doing thorough research, I found it to be an extremely big problem. In my opinion, I don’t understand how you can accuse someone of doing something because of their race. It is morally wrong and needs to be put to an end. Racial profiling is an issue that is all too prevalent in our society, when in reality it should not be. So why do we judge people based on their race? Is there a specific reason? In my opinion, there truly is no justifiable reason no matter the circumstances.
Racial profiling is not a new issue. In fact, it was a problem dating all the way back to the 1700’s when hundreds of thousands of African Americans were subject to being profiled, especially if they were freed slaves. Not only had they been forced into slavery, beaten, and hated by their masters, but once they were freed they were at the bottom of the social ladder and had to hear disrespectful comments and accusations at every corner they turned. After the American Civil War ended in 1865, Jim Crow laws were put into place in America. The purpose of these laws was to discriminate, while also doing everything possible to keep blacks and whites separate. No bathrooms, churches, schools, or even water fountains could be shared between the two races. However, these cruel laws were met by lots of violence, protests, and civil rights movements. Thankfully in 1868, the 14th Constitutional Amendment was passed which “affirmed the citizenship and equal protection of the laws for African Americans.” Sadly, the Jim Crow laws were not removed until the 1960s at the end of the civil rights movement. Although current day circumstances are not as extreme, racial profiling is still a very big issue with even our government agencies and law enforcement victimizing people simply because of their skin color.
Racial profiling has never been a good thing, and our country is often associated with it in a negative way because of our past. Racial profiling has many effects. Some are short-term, but according to The American Psychological Association, racial profiling can often lead to mental disorders such as depression, anxiety, and even suicide. These negative effects were displayed in February 2012 in a Florida neighborhood. George Zimmerman, a Hispanic-American man, was walking in his neighborhood when he spotted seventeen year old Trayvon Martin who was an African American male. Zimmerman had called 911 after seeing this young man claiming Martin looked suspicious. The 911 dispatcher specifically ordered Zimmerman to wait until authorities arrived, but their order were fruitless. Why? Well, because George Zimmerman shot Trayvon Martin which lead to his death. Zimmerman was arrested on a count of second-degree murder, and racial profiling. Because of his wrong assumptions, the life of this young man was ended all too soon. After enduring a lengthy trial and claiming innocence, the judge found George Zimmerman to be not guilty on the charges of second-degree murder and racial profiling. However, the judge sentenced him with a charge of manslaughter. Because of his quick suspicions, George Zimmerman will now get to live with the fact that he killed an innocent teenager, and he will live with this guilt until the day he dies. Although average people are often guilty of racial profiling, so are our law enforcement agents, and even our government. Police officers often pull over people of different races if they are going just two mph over the speed limit just out of suspicion. Flight attendants appear to become nervous when a Muslim boards the plane, because of the previous attacks on 9/11. Even the Immigration and Naturalization Service(INS) have had agents guilty of racial profiling by accusing certain races of being drug dealers when in all reality they are innocent.
I firmly believe that racial profiling is wrong, and I will always believe this. However, there are some people who think racial profiling is a good thing and is ultimately protecting us. Some people think that by accusing Muslims we are preventing the next 9/11 from occurring. They think that by accusing Latinos we are preventing the next drug outbreak. They think that by arresting African American men we are preventing the next gang from forming and plaguing American cities with violence. Although this claim seems believable, I have evidence to refute it. In an article written by Roger Clegg, a former deputy in the U.S. Department of Justice’s Civil Rights Division for four years, he says he believes racial profiling can be exaggerated at times,but it is still wrong. He believes this because of the following statement: “I think racial profiling is inconsistent with the principle of E Pluribus Unum — that we are all Americans and none of us ought to be treated differently on the basis of skin color or national origin.”
My thoughts on racial profiling are very strong, and I hope that one day, with proper leadership and a strong passion, our country will eradicate this issue that has been troubling parts of our country for centuries. Anything can change if you take initiative to start a movement even if it’s just in your community. We can take this passion and show it to the world. We can show them that racial profiling is wrong and how we can end it. Well, you might be wondering how we can end it. We can start this process by showing kindness and acceptance to all and ending all hatred and derogatory terms that are used to discriminate. We can change the world, even if it starts out small. All of our voices matter, and our opinions valid. So why wait to end this issue when we can start today? “It is not our differences that divide us. It is our inability to recognize, accept, and celebrate those differences.” ~Audre Lorde
Image Citation: Nicoll, Regis. “Because All Lives Matter.” Crisis Magazine. N.p., 12 Jan. 2016. Web. 27 July 2017.
Information Citation: Cortlett, J. Angelo. “Racial Profiling is Morally Justifiable in Certain Circumstances.” Opposing Viewpoints, Opposing Viewpoints in Context, “Profiling Color,” Journal of Ethics, vol. 15, no. 1–2, June 2011, link.galegroup.com/apps/doc/EJ3010572251/OVIC?u=rale94036&xid=5add92fa.
Clegg, Roger. “There is no Need for the End Racial Profiling Act.” Current Controversies. Opposing Viewpoints in Context. link.galegroup.com/apps/doc/EJ3010929225/OVIC?u=rale94036&xid=e4b60b84.
“Racial Profiling.” Opposing Viewpoints Online Collection, Gale, 2015. Opposing Viewpoints in Context. link.galegroup.com/apps/doc/PC3010999266/OVIC?u=rale94036&xid=283fd865.
