Racial Profiling
Angelique Rosales
Senior Capstone in Criminal Justice (CRJS499 -1502B -01)
Unit 1 Individual Project
American InterContinental University
6/16/2015

Abstract
The topics covered for research Racial Profiling, explain what it is, why it occurs, how data can be collected. Resources that are provided cover many different questions that can be asked about racial profiling as well as my ethical standards towards providing what I have prepared to share.

Thesis

What is Racial Profiling? Racial profiling occurs when law enforcement targets someone for investigation on the basis of that person’s race, national origin, or ethnicity. It has been a very heated issue for the past few years now. Race and location are very dominant characteristics that authorities look at when engaging in this type of profiling. There is so much news of how certain races are being abused or how authorities are stepping out of boundaries with their actions towards certain races.

Why does racial profiling occur? There are statistics that demonstrate that minorities are disproportionately targeted by police are plentiful. Some of which have even complied by police departments themselves. So even though there are many who are aware it is happening, and happening all over the country, there is very little effort to curb the practice. Racial profiling occurs mostly because people are close minded and judgmental on someone’s ethical background or race. Since one does not come from the same cultural, same background, same country, racial profiling is occurring because people don’t take the time to learn about something outside of their own or themselves.

In 2002, Homeland Security had instituted something called the 287 program, which has left a door open to racial profiling by empowering local law enforcement officers to enforce federal immigration law without giving them very clear guidelines. It kept pretty close to call that if one race tries to blow up our country then all races are trying to blow up our country. The thing is, not every single person is the same and everyone is unique and different, that’s how we are supposed to be…different.

Hypothesis

The problem with racial profiling is that is continues to plague our nation despite the constitutional guarantee of equal treatment under the law. In 2011, there was a report that the Leadership Conferences on Civil Rights found that there was evidence of widespread racial profiling, showing that African Americans and Hispanics are disproportionately likely to be stopped and searched by police, even though they are very less likely to be found possessing contraband or committing a criminal act.

True story, my boyfriend is African American and I am Cuban American. We were out late in the park not realizing what time it was and the park was closed. We were just walking and the police came through and stopped us. He asked why were in the park and we were honest saying that we didn’t know it was closed. He asked for our names and was going to run them and if anything popped up we would be taken. He asked for my boyfriend’s ID and just asked for my name. He ran my boyfriend’s name but not mine and since my boyfriend was clean he set us free. He racial profiled my boyfriend because he was African American and didn’t even cared that I was Hispanic.

A good way to solve this is to try and reach out, have discussions on ways to prevent racial profiling and to help law enforcement not be so judgmental just because of a race but rather if there is truly suspicious looking about the person. Not all African Americans are selling drugs or gang related members. By explaining this and trying to get the law enforcement to open up and understand more about different races, not always the bad but the good of the race. It just might help law enforcement to not racial profile just by the color of one’s skin or ethical background.

Analysis

Information and data would be collected through research and surveys towards law enforcement on their thoughts and honest opinions. Questions that don’t make it seem racial profiling but asking questions about certain races and given their choice of answer will fall under certain categories to help determine if they are racial profiling or just being a normal worried law enforcement service men.

The survey will be multiple choice questions with not racial, less racial, and most racial answers and which answer chosen will add up a total point system to calculate if the law enforcement is racial profiling their victims.

Resources

1. Remember and Honor the Past (Historical Racial Profiling) The best way to possibly understand current racial profiling and racial discrimination is to use occurrences in history from which we can learn.
Brooks, L. J. (2009, Nov. 6). Teaching Lessons of Tolerance Around the Civil Rights Memorial. Retrieved June 16, 2015 from http://www.tolerance.org/blog/teaching-lessons-tolerance-around-civilrights-memorial
Summary: In this reflection by a teacher, she tells of the surprise Morris Dees who “was speaking to a classroom of children about the bravery of Beulah Mae Donald… When he referred to the martyrs of the Civil Rights Movement

2. Acknowledging Disparities of Current Social Structures (Contemporary Racial Profiling)
In order to even bring out the most necessary change to the social system, which we need to recognize the inequalities and learn from the contemporary examples of racial profiling

American Civil Liberties Union (2012). I Am Not a Stereotype. Retrieved June 16, 2015 from https://www.aclu.org/blog/tag/i-am-not-stereotype

Summary: This covers the many different aspects of racial profiling, with examples of personal experiences and current legislations that are meant to protect against racial profiling.

3. Racial Profiling by Law Enforcement
Racial profiling in contemporary times is most often to be seen in its inappropriate use by law enforcement. This is to be category in a further and more detailed expansion of current instances which can be used to help and create the necessary awareness and recognition of disparity in our social structures.

The Center for Constitutional Rights (CCR). NYPD Stop-and-Frisk Statistics 2009 and 2010. Retrieved June 16, 2015 from http://ccrjustice.org/files/CCR_Stop_and_Frisk_Fact_Sheet.pdf.. The Center for Constitutional Rights (CCR). Racial Disparity in NYPD Stops-and-Frisks. Retrieved June 16, 2015 from http://ccrjustice.org/stopandfrisk#weaponsyield

Summary: Report which documents the astounding contrast between the high percentages of people of color stopped by the NYPD and their actual makeup of the total population.

4. Recognizing and Valuing differences/Uniqueness of Individuals
When teaching others to recognize and value the differences in themselves as well as all those around them, it will help to shape the formations of people who will value and treat everyone equally.

Warner, J. (2009, July 26). A Lot Said, and Unsaid, About Race. The New York Times. Retrieved June 16, 2015 from http://opinionator.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/07/26/a-lot-said-and-unsaid-aboutrace/?emc=eta1

Summary: When differences are recognized and valued it will, in turn, help to decrease the prejudice and stereotypes which are what limit our culture and lead to racial profiling.

5. End Racial Profiling Act
The government legislation which is currently being discussed would help to end the inequalities and unfairness which are perpetuated through racial profiling. By addressing the End Racial Profiling Act as part of the collaboration would help to give a vision of what can and should be done on a larger national scale, beyond what we as individuals are capable of accomplishing.

Retrieved June 16, 2015: http://www.aclu.org/blog/racial-justice/end-racial-profiling-act-lobby-day-bringing-real-storieswashington http://www.naacp.org/blog/entry/end-racial-profilingnow/?source=BSDAds_GoogleSearch_Criminal%20Justice_Racial%20Profiling_Racial%20Profilin g_Exact_13683510433&gclid=CIn4wszIh7ACFcQRNAod2F3Qjg

Summary: The following websites all give more information on the End Racial Profiling Act. The last two encourage support and public action.

Ethical Standards

The responsibilities would be to making sure the right and correct information was provided on this topic. Making sure that the right way to go about discussing this topic and bring it more into light and acknowledging it the honest and truthful way. By presenting all the important information, stories and facts for people to better understand. Along with the right resources and helpful ways to preventing such a horrible action that is done towards people.

Resources

"The Reality of Racial Profiling." The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights. N.p., n.d. Web. 16 June 2015.