The truth about racial profiling!

[Usui Takumi 1,562]

It is literally impossible to have everyone in a society think everything is fair.

That doesn't excuse having a blatant policy towards a single race or religion, at least in the US.

Edited May 25, 2010 by Sousuke

[KaiserD 12]

If a black cop is patrolling a black neighborhood and stops to talk to a bunch of black kids that are just standing around, is that profiling? Of course it is! Does the cop know these kids? has he arrested them before? Profiling is a viable way of weeding out. Can it be abused? Of course.

It would depend on what they were doing and perhaps even what they were wearing. If they were all wearing hoodies that covered their faces, with slouched shoulders e.t.c it doesn't make them guilty by association but kids/teens of anti social behaviour are the ones that act that way and they are not separately identifiable. As a mother I have to say, I would think twice about going near them if my toddler was with me.

If they were happy and relaxed, playing on bikes or whatever I wouldn't go out of my way to avoid them though, if I made eye contact I would say hi.

Do you live in a black neighborhood? If not why? If you dont you have basically discriminated the black area by choice. Doesnt make you a bad person

Whitest thing for miles. I've stopped getting funny looks at Kroger now so I guess people are used to seeing my face there.

Dont forget pre-conceived notions.

Can you give me an example?

[Peikko 1,575]

That doesn't excuse having a blatant policy towards a single race or religion, at least in the US.

Indeed, and it's not as if a policy based simply on race, for example profiling black people as more likely to be criminals is in and of itself useful, productive and cost effective. Such a view is a product of a profound misunderstanding of what the statistics that are available pertaining to race and crime actually signify.

Edited May 25, 2010 by Madame Cleo

[Usui Takumi 1,562]

Indeed, and it's not as if a policy based simply on race, for example profiling black people as more likely to be criminals is in and of itself useful, productive and cost effective. Such a view is a product of a profound misunderstanding of what the statistics that are available pertaining to race and crime actually signify.

Right, strictly speaking its not an issue of race, but of socioeconomic background.

[Peikko 1,575]

The 'tiger' analysis is particularly useless. All tigers are potentially likely to behave aggressively, but are we saying that all black people are potentially likely to be thugs?

[KaiserD 12]

The 'tiger' analysis is particularly useless. All tigers are potentially likely to behave aggressively, but are we saying that all black people are potentially likely to be thugs?

That's what bothered me.

[Peikko 1,575]

No kidding. What's disturbing to me is that there are people who take this all on board as if somehow it's expected, rather like those who think it's natural and not worth investigating why black people are hardly ever recruited as firefighters in a particular city district.

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

The 'tiger' analysis is particularly useless. All tigers are potentially likely to behave aggressively, but are we saying that all black people are potentially likely to be thugs?

Of course! It's the natural assumption! But if you're black don't be angry at being treated unfairly by government institutions, blame the hippity hop listening, baggy pants wearing gangbangers!

It's pretty sad that there are people on this board who will read the above paragraph and take it entirely literally.

[Ban Hammer 14,293]

Are you serious?

[Ken y Leidys 20]

I've been racially profiled by police, and when I explained my experience during Jury Duty in front of the Judge, he asked me why I didn't file a complaint with the Police Dept. So, you know it was verifiable.

[The_Dude 1,142]

In a lot of cases, it's inevitable. If you have a set of unsolved burglaries in a city and the suspects are described as being a specific demographic, why would you look outside that demographic? If there is any discrepancies among the victims description, then you can make the case that they can't narrow it down to certain groups, but much is the the case where the descriptions are consistent.

[evli1966 88]

Um...I didn't call you racist. Even if you are one, I don't care really. Just asked you how you'd feel if your wife was black, which you suggest is a problem race, was discriminated against and profiled for her skin color.

The right answer is "I would feel bad if my wife or me or anyone was being profiled." Just copy 'n' paste this answer.

My soon to be wife is BROWN and we have discussed this and we both agree legal immigrants may encounter situations where proving their legal status must be done to oust the illegals from the system.

Obviously your sensitivity level is to high like most who are crying foul for no reason or you falsly believe you or your family will never have to bare the burdon of the cost for not passing laws that protect the citzens of this country.

So please do not use the brown skin card around me or my wife; niether of us will be intimidated by these tactics being used in ethnic communities. (understand you were speaking to someone else but it insults my fiance and myself)

By the way there are just as many white people out there that make me uncomfortable to be around as some one with a different skin color and there are caucasions who are illegal immigrants as well.

Sorry if I went over the top here but I tired of hearing nothing but bleeding heart cries of foul because of brown skin or possible racial profiling.

[Danno 1,228]

Yes to stop a particular ethnic group from being unevenly targeted.

But why did you say "Ethnic group", men are also heavily profiled for the very same reasons?

Men tend to Murder, traffic drugs, commit crimes of violence much much more than women and thankfully police use this knowledge to solve more crimes than if they pretended this truth... were not so.

Is it ok to Profile men?

[Usui Takumi 1,562]

But why did you say "Ethnic group", men are also heavily profiled for the very same reasons?

Men tend to Murder, traffic drugs, commit crimes of violence much much more than women and thankfully police use this knowledge to solve more crimes than if they pretended this truth... were not so.

Is it ok to Profile men?

Actually its funny that you mention this as its one of my pet peeves. Yes, gender bias is a big deal. How many times do you hear woman friends describe how they "got out of that ticket by flirting."

For some reason it doesn't work the other way around.......

[ready4ONE 5,400]

Sometimes you have to look at the reality of a situation before decrying someone as a racist.

You can have no problem with a certain race and still see that a certain race is the leading problem in certain areas.