Is Racial Profiling a Myth?

Racial Profiling is the use of race or ethnicity as grounds for suspecting someone of having committed an offense. because of racial profiling, there have been countless violent and aggressive acts towards colored individuals. As a result, there have been many unreported cases of racial profiling. For example, certain potential bias exists in policing when it comes to the minority population in America. And according to some, police officers treat people of color differently. Whether or not they do is up to debate. Still, some go as far as to say there has been a pattern in racial profiling in various local police forces. However, the social media plays a role in racial profiling. Because people of color are portrayed negatively, society automatically places them under certain categories, such as violent, poor, criminals, etc. However, what most people do not realize is that these acts harm the oppressed just as much as the oppressor. In conclusion, racial profiling promotes conflicts and creates tensions between races in America. Racial profiling has existed in America throughout several generations. Take for example the 1960s when civil rights was a huge concern for African Americans. Their fight for desegregation and integration has changed the way we view people of color today. But according to some African-Americans, their fight has not ended.

Today people of color are constantly struggling to represent their race and go against racist stereotypes. However, to go against racist stereotypes is to go against societal norms, which has proven to be very difficult over the years. This is especially seen in recent years with colored minorities. For instance, there has been an increase in the number of reports by law enforcement officials targeting people of color. This could be because of many factors that contribute to this such as social media, public fear, and a difference in culture. But this is not a reason to categorize one individual into negative stereotypes. Changing America's perspective on people of color relates to their representation in media. In the article, "Racial Profiling and the Media," James Z. Yixuan blames the media for expanding racial profiling. Yixuan even goes as far as to say "instances of... racism are only reported on if famous people are involved..." If the media were to focus on headlines rather than actual issues, people's perspectives on African Americans would be different. The article also offered ways to counteract racial profiling and explains its impact on viewers. In the article, "Racial Profiling and the Media," James Z. Yixuan blames the media for expanding racial profiling. For example, instead of focusing on riots and terrorism, the media should focus on the injustice and everyday fears African Americans face. Yixuan even goes as far as to say that "instances of... racism are only reported on if famous people are involved..." If the media were to focus on headlines rather than actual issues, people's perspectives on African Americans would be different.

The article also offered ways to counteract racial profiling and explains its impact on viewers. In conclusion, racial profiling still very much exists and is a reality for most minorities despite changes in America's civil rights. The article goes on to explain these issues more specifically. For example, Yixuan uses multiple events where unarmed African-Americans were shot and murdered by police. The Trayvon Martin and Ferguson case, for example, was mentioned by the article. The article also compared the Trayvon Martin and Ferguson case to John Crawford III case and Michael Brown's case. In addition to the increase of violence between whites and blacks, violence between whites and other races have also been seen.A question that is commonly asked by non-whites in the U.S is why the color of their skin instantly causes others to think of crime, terrorism, and drugs. In the case of Muslim-Americans after the 9/11 attack, many saw a dramatic change in their lives. According to the article, Racism Today versus Racism after 9/11, suffered harassment and hate in public spaces. For example, suddenly government surveillance in airports targeted on American Muslim. Furthermore, the media also worsened the lives of Muslim Americans. According to the article, Targeting Muslim Americans in the Name of National Security, they stated that A 2010 study by the Public Research Institute reveals that 45% of Americans believe Islam and American values are incompatible. The article, Racism Today versus Racism after 9/11, even goes as far as to say that The...high levels of racism against Muslims as well as the rise of blatant prejudice and racism against other ethnic minorities indicate that the level of racial tension is worse today than it was in post 9/11 US society.

According to the article, The Racial Profiling Myth Debunked, the author Heather Mac Donald gives a different perspective on racial profiling. Donald talks about statisticians joining the bandwagon on anti-racial profiling and suggests how the numbers are not always right. To prove her point, she conducts an experiment to prove whether or not African-Americans are stopped because of racist police officers. What she found was that ...the police stop blacks more for speeding because they speed more. Race has nothing to do with it. her reason for public recognition of these findings is that It has strained police-community relations. she then goes on by saying that the police are unable to protect law-abiding citizens in inner-city neighborhoods.PoliceEmployers However, contrary to popular belief, in order to counteract racial profiling, we should not adopt color-blind policies but instead, accept our differences. Furthermore, unless we redefine and reevaluate societies discriminations, color-blind policies will not help societies racial injustices. The term Affirmative action seems to be a hugely controversial topic among the mass population. This could in part be because of the same political authority and dominant cultural expectations that have existed for years. Yet, still people will deny any claims of existing biases. But the fact of the matter is that statistics prove otherwise. For example, colored minorities continue to have twice the unemployment rate of non-colored people, twice the rate of infant mortality, and just over half the proportion of people who attend four years or more of college Racial profiling also exists in other sections in our society. For example, the Equal Employment Opportunity Act prohibit specific types of job discrimination in certain workplaces.Conclusion? It can be concluded that numerous internal as well as external factors influence how we portray colored minority groups in America.

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