...given purpose on the basis of their membership of a particular racial group (Thomsen p. 2). The main reason why law enforcement uses racial profiling is, because it can increase their chances of catching criminals. In other words, it narrows down suspects and find people that commit crimes. However, racial profiling can be wrong for a number of reasons. First of all it is wrong, when law enforcement uses it with a racist, derogatory, and humiliating attitude when stopping individuals for a traffic infraction. Second of all it is against the 14th Amendment. Racial profiling also prevents the latino community to work with law enforcement, because it creates fear; finally, it prevents law enforcement to properly serve the community. Why not reduce profiling or get rid of it for ever? We are after all one nation that has been able to embrace different people from different ethnicity and backgrounds in to America. Racial profiling is unethical, humiliating, and it violates human rights. “Racial profiling appears morally wrong and more troubling when the racial group that is being profiled suffers from background injustice” (Paul Bou-Habib p. 33). One main point I would like to make is that racial profiling is wrong when law enforcement uses racial profiling with a racist attitude, when law enforcement agencies assumes that the racial group is less able to comply with the law. Profiling is extremely unethical when it's done in a harassing manner and lastly when it done only to one group...
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...this because some of the law enforcement are taking this too far, where they would pull over certain group of people just because of their ethnicity. Us citizens should consider this issue because stereotypes does not determines a person’s life. I believe this is wrong but it is part of our community that people are being judged too quickly. This would still be an issue and it would make many good police officers look bad. Racial profiling can be beneficial thing...
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...justice system. Largely, whites see the law as a power to serve and protect their rights and their acreage in a democracy. While, blacks have been more likely to view law as a force that denies their rights. For years the judicial system refused to offer protection to blacks from slave owners, white rapists, and even racist mobs. In 1693, Philadelphia court officials “authorized the police to take up any "Negro" seen "gadding about" without a pass from his or her master” (Chaney). This judiciary command, to stop and detain any black found on the road, gave no distinction between free or slave blacks. The Black Codes of the Southern region permitted militiamen (soldiers who are also civilians) to arrest and restrain blacks whose presence aroused suspicion (Staples). The Fugitive Slave Act of 1850, jeopardized not only law enforcement officials, but also average citizens with hefty fines if they failed to assist in the arrest of alleged runaway slaves, when the doubt could be grounded only on written claims; likewise, free and enslaved blacks didn’t have the right or ability to represent themselves in court against such claims (Staples). Alongside such legislation, the US Supreme Court has acted unashamedly against the lawful rights of blacks and other ethnic groups until the 1950s (Chaney). Throughout the Jim Crow era, the criminal justice system allowed laws that in practice disproportionately targeted blacks, such as homelessness laws that criminalized black men if “caught”...
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...Ethnicity and the Police (Part II) Monica Angulo CJA/344 August 6, 2014 Instructor Name Ethnicity and the Police Racial profiling indicates the system law enforcement officials use to target people for suspicion of crime grounded on the person's race, ethnicity, religion or national origin. Criminal profiling, usually, as performed by police, is the deduction on a group of characteristics they consider to be connected with crime. An example of racial profiling is the use of race to conclude which motorists to stop for minor traffic violations (usually referred to as "driving while black” or “driving while brown"). The use of race to conclude which individuals to search for illegal paraphernalia is another example of racial profiling. This practice, however, can result contra productive, as highlighted in the following cases. Racial Profiling Gone Wrong Poor judgment calls based on racial profiling have been made by law enforcement officials, where racism and discrimination has taken over violating individuals’ civil rights, creating friction with the community and the public. NYC Cop Testifies to Targeting Young Black Men As hearings began to examine New York City’s stop and frisk policy, one police officer testified that he was instructed by superiors to target young Black men between the ages of 14 and 21. In 2011 alone, New York City police executed 685,724 stops as part of the stop and frisk policy. In total, they had...
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...“There is definately some racial profiling. But we need to ensure that it is done for the right reasons to ensure the security of people. It is absolutely imperative that this is not abused” (Keith Vaz). According to ACLU, racial profiling “refers to the discriminatory practice by law enforcement officials of targeting individuals for suspicion of crime based on the individual's race, ethnicity, religion, or national origin.” Racial profiling is more common in busy cities, like L.A. rather than small towns in rural areas. MacDonald says that, “L.A. cops discriminate against minorities.” Racial profiling becomes more common every day, but people disagree whether it actually prevents crime or is it just discrimination. Many...
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...2012. With all the relentless news coverage, most us know these basic facts: Martin went to a 7-Eleven store during half-time of the NBA All Star Game. He bought a packet of Skittles and some iced tea and was returning to the home of his father's fiancée in Sanford, Florida when he encountered George Zimmerman. Zimmerman was a neighborhood watch captain with a long-standing interest in law enforcement. He thought Martin looked suspicious and called 911. Although the 911 dispatcher told him not do so, Zimmerman followed Martin and according to Zimmerman, Martin attacked him, causing injuries to Zimmerman’s nose and the back of his head; Zimmerman says that in order to defend himself, he fired on the unarmed teen. The case highlights Florida's 2005 "stand your ground" law. The law allows people to defend themselves, using deadly force, if they feel their lives are threatened. Florida legislators who crafted the law say that it was meant to allow Floridians who, for example, were defending their own property, to avoid being charged with a crime. Zimmerman invoked the stand your ground law and has not been arrested or charged; given that Martin was unarmed, and simply walking through the neighborhood there has been widespread outrage and charges of racism. Throughout the U.S. and even in London, thousands have protested the fact that Zimmerman has been neither charged nor arrested. What do you think about the case? As a student of sociology, you can use two concepts to consider...
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...Grounded theory analysis of the data revealed that individuals perceive members of law enforcement in the following ways: (a) contempt for law enforcement, (b) suspicion of law enforcement, (c) law enforcement as agents of brutality, and (d) respect for law enforcement. The "suspicion of law enforcement" theme is words and/or phrases related to thoughts, feelings, or beliefs that members of law enforcement directly or indirectly engage in police brutality and/or condone the brutal actions of other members of law enforcement. The "law enforcement as agents of brutality" theme was related to words and/or phrases related to members of law enforcement directly or indirectly witnessing acts of brutality perpetrated by one or more members of law enforcement against citizens....
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...Alexander - The New Jim Crow We live in a world today that is racist. Not the type of racist where there are open lynchings and and beatings, but the “frat house” racist as Chris Rock put it. Yet, there are many people today who claim that racism is dead. Well clearly that is not the case. By simply watching the news on TV or reading about it on the internet, you can just get a glimpse of how minorities, particularly African-Americans, are treated in this country. A substantial amount of African-Americans are prohibited from voting, because they are felons, a law that applies in almost every state. With the primaries and the general election coming up, they are not allowed to cast their vote. The incarceration rate for African-Americans is disproportionate to the population. The biggest reason for this is the so-called War on Drugs. Rather than control the usage of illegal drugs, the War controls African-Americans and takes them out of politics. Politics itself is fundamentally racist. Alexander compares the War on Drugs to a caste system. A caste system doesn’t allow those in the very bottom of the pyramid to be successful and that is exactly what the War on Drugs does. Since the birth of slavery to Jim Crow laws to the mass incarceration today, African-Americans have been at a disadvantage from birth. The War on Drugs started in the mid-1980s when Ronald Reagan was President. It essentially gave local law enforcement agencies military-grade machinery to crack down communities...
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.....................................................................29 Bibliography .................................................................................................................................31 Research Proposal The goal of my research is to expose the racism in the criminal justice system that is so hidden. I want to show how racism contributes to the huge number of incarcerated African Americans. The criminal justice system creates and perpetuates racial hierarchy in the United States, and has done so throughout history. African Americans are criminalized and targeted because of their skin color. I want to look at the Reagan administration, the War on Drugs, corrupt police practices, media, inner city enforcement, police discretion, racial...
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...PHIL 3515 Arizona Immigration Law-Was it wrong? If a state passes through a law that takes away people’s rights and freedom because you’re considered to be a minority, is it racist? The law I’m referring to is the Arizona SB 1070, which was introduced in 2010 by the Arizona House Bill 2162, and then signed by Governor Jan Brewer of Arizona.2 The Arizona SB 1070 (also known as The Support Our Law Enforcement and Safe Neighborhoods Act) is a legislative Act in Arizona that at the time it was brought up, it was the widest and strictest anti-illegal immigration measure in recent U.S. history.2 The law reads that every alien living in the United States over that is fourteen years or older must have registration papers or documents in their possession at all times; if this condition isn’t followed, its considered a federal misdemeanor crime. The law also allows people in the police force to stop anyone who looks or seems to be from another country, to check if they have the right documents in their possession.2. While the law specifies who “aliens are”, the law makers and officials clearly target the Hispanic race in living in Arizona. According to the Census numbers, the Hispanic population has grown over 50% from 1990 to 2012, which also includes the number of undocumented immigrants living in Arizona.4 The total Latino population in Arizona is increasing every year and the Arizona officials believe that the only way to contain it is by forcing them out of the country. 4 I believe...
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...Latino/Hispanic people are the fastest growing cultural group in the United States in terms of people. The word Hispanic does not define a racial group but it the term refereeing to all Spanish speaking people who reside in the United States . The word Latino however refers to a person of Latin American Origin. Understanding the Latino/Hispanic culture in law enforcement is very important because law enforcement personnel are dealing with people of all ethnic backgrounds and must have an understanding that are not all the same . There are many stereotypes and myths about all cultures and it is also important as a professional law enforcement officer to be able to rise above what are facts and what are just myths based on what movies portray...
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...On September 11th, 2001, nineteen ruthless al-Qaeda terrorists bypassed airport security and hijacked two airplanes that were headed from the east coast to California, but instead they were flown into the World Trade Center creating the day that citizens of the United States will never forget. Back in 1693, Philadelphia had granted police the legal authority to halt and question any man of color caught wandering the streets. This type of act is called racial profiling, which refers to a practice where law enforcement personnel or people of legal authority to discriminately target those for crimes based on ethnicity, religion and race. Racial profiling should be accepted as law enforcement practice. Racial profiling is a necessary factor in contributing to the means of preventing terrorism. There is nothing wrong with using this method as a tool in catching those that threaten the lives of others. In the September 11th tragedy, nineteen group members from al-Qaeda bypassed airport security and crashed multiple planes into the World Trade Center...
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...Running head: [SHORTENED TITLE UP TO 50 CHARACTERS] 1 Is NYC safe for the LGBT community? Jennifer M Wolfinger Critical Thinking Mrs. Dunston 2 Shady Corners, Is New York City dangerous for gays and lesbians, by Eliza Shapiro. This article is concerning the safety of the gay and lesbian community in New York City. The Stonewall INN, in 1969 gave birth to the gay-rights movement. There has been a disturbing rise in deadly anti-LGBT (Lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender) hate crimes. Not only in New York City but all over the world. New York City was considered to be for a long time the safe haven for the gay community. The violence against the LGBT community has been on the rise for the past three years. These crimes have been becoming more and more violent. What are the issues and conclusions? The issue in this case is pretty obvious, the safety of the LGBT (Lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender) communities. The article Shady Corners, just focuses on New York City. Throughout the United States there is a lot of hatred for the LGBT communities. With it being 2013, there still is too much discrimination for the LGBT. Not just in New York, but in all of the United States. When someone of the LGBT community get hurt or is killed by someone because of their choice of sexuality: is called a hate crime. In New York City there has been a “disturbing rise in deadly anti-LGBT hate crimes, both in New York City and nationally.” (Shady Corners, Eliza Shapiro) In 2011, the...
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...Racial Profiling” refers to the discriminatory practice by law enforcement officials of targeting individuals for suspicion of crimes based on the individual’s race, ethnicity, religion, or national origin.Criminal profiling is generally viewed as a tactic used by police (any member of law enforcement, including, but not limited to, any local, state or federal individual), who is duly authorized to protect and serve the public. This also includes security guards, airport security, etc. This paper will examine some recent examples of profiling and will seek to determine whether law enforcement has acted out of fear, or racism in a post-racist America. Profiling for the purposes of this argument will be justified by the following principles:...
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...Points of View Lately, there have been many different incidents with law enforcement. I personally believe that they tend to abuse their power. For example, the case with Michael Brown that occurred in Ferguson sparked up a lot of different emotions for everyone. According to CNN, “One side says the African American teenager was surrendering, his hands in the air to show he was unarmed, when the officer opened fire. Authorities counter that Brown had attacked the officer in his car and tried to take his gun.” I believe that the gun should have never been fired since the officer did not see a weapon on Brown. Law enforcement uses their power to their own advantage. I’m not saying all law enforcement does do this but there are tons that do. Wikipedia mentions that, “Instances of racism occur, even when the police force as a whole is not found to be racist.” Evidently, there are a lot of Caucasian officers that have been having incidents with minorities. It is very easy for people to believe that it is because of racism. I think that the justice systems needs to work on becoming more just and fair. There is no reason for weapons if the suspect does not have one themselves. I believe that officers get a bit nervous and overreact when confronted in these kinds of situations and rely on their guns to protect them, rather than being rational and thinking clearly. All in all, we may never know what these officers are thinking when in these situations but I do know that other steps...
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