Racial Profiling and Male African Americans
Racial Profiling and Male African Americans
Racial profiling has been and will continue to be a problem in the United States. Many believe that racial profiling is more prevalent in today’s society; however, this issue has been a part of our society since slavery. Moreover, African American males are mostly the targets of racial profiling, especially in larger cities like New York City and Los Angeles. Racial profiling is becoming a huge problem within the police departments. Police officers are conducting more traffic stops on African Americans males than on any other racial group, for the reason that many police officers believe African Americans males are most likely to be engaged in some sort of criminal activity. Thus, racial profiling is illegal in the United States, and a police officer have the right to stop a motorist and search his or her vehicle, if he or she feels the person is withholding illegal weapons and/or drugs. However, many argue that most traffic stops that lead to an arrest were against African American males, sparking up controversial issues against racial profiling and police officers in recent years (Weitzer, Tuch, 2002).
A police officer’s decision to stop and interrogate a person of a racial or ethnic group is the key factor of racial profiling. However, why are African Americans males the number one target of this ever-escalating issue? Do African American males hold the most criminal record among police statistics and/or the United States Census Bureau or does it have to do with the vehicle they drive, the color of their skin, the amount of occupants in their vehicle, or the traffic violation committed? To determine why there are many controversial issues concerning African American males and racial profiling, we are going to look at racial profiling by police officers; examine the study, research, and statistics behind racial profiling; and how racial profiling affects male African Americans.
For years, minority communities have
Racial profiling has been and will continue to be a problem in the United States. Many believe that racial profiling is more prevalent in today’s society; however, this issue has been a part of our society since slavery. Moreover, African American males are mostly the targets of racial profiling, especially in larger cities like New York City and Los Angeles. Racial profiling is becoming a huge problem within the police departments. Police officers are conducting more traffic stops on African Americans males than on any other racial group, for the reason that many police officers believe African Americans males are most likely to be engaged in some sort of criminal activity. Thus, racial profiling is illegal in the United States, and a police officer have the right to stop a motorist and search his or her vehicle, if he or she feels the person is withholding illegal weapons and/or drugs. However, many argue that most traffic stops that lead to an arrest were against African American males, sparking up controversial issues against racial profiling and police officers in recent years (Weitzer, Tuch, 2002).
A police officer’s decision to stop and interrogate a person of a racial or ethnic group is the key factor of racial profiling. However, why are African Americans males the number one target of this ever-escalating issue? Do African American males hold the most criminal record among police statistics and/or the United States Census Bureau or does it have to do with the vehicle they drive, the color of their skin, the amount of occupants in their vehicle, or the traffic violation committed? To determine why there are many controversial issues concerning African American males and racial profiling, we are going to look at racial profiling by police officers; examine the study, research, and statistics behind racial profiling; and how racial profiling affects male African Americans.
For years, minority communities have
References: Callahan, G., & Anderson, W. (2005). Racial profiling unfairly targets minorities. Retrieved on March 9, 2008, from Axia College Online Library: Gale PowerSearch Document. Delores, J. B. (2007). Forever the symbolic assailant: The more things change, the more they remain the same. Criminology & Public Policy. Vol. 6(1), p.103-121. Retrieved on March 8, 2008, from Axia College Online Library: EBSCOhost. Jet. (2001). New jersey to pay $12.9 million to four racial profiling victims. Vol. 99(10), p. 8. Retrieved on March 9, 2008, from Axia College Online Library: EBSCOhost. Persico, N. (2002). Racial profiling, fairness, and effectiveness of policing. Vol. 92(5). Retrieved March 7, 2008, from Axia College Online Library: EBSCOhost. Weitzer, R., & Tuch, S. A. (2002). Perceptions of racial profiling: Race, class, and personal experience. Criminology: George Washington University. Vol. 40(2). Retrieved on March 7, 2008, from Axia College Online Library: EBSCOhost.