Racial Profiling Analysis Essay Example

can be used as a easy way out for violators. There are such cases that when a person of a different race besides white, often say the only reason they were pulled over was because they are of a different ethnicity. Black motorists today routinely claim that the only reason that they were pulled over on highway stops was because of their race. Once they are pulled over they claim that the officer’s subject them to harassment and time consuming searches. Most of these stories are not true, and when they are taken to court, most of the charges brought against the officer are dropped and said to be lies.

One of the significant cases that turned society’s attention to the issue of racial profiling was the case of Amadou Diallo shooting. A Guinean living in New York, he was shot by four white police officers in the New York City Police Department's Street Crime Unit, at 1157 Wheeler Avenue in the Soundview section of the Bronx. At the time he was walking near his building, police officers Sean Carroll, Edward McMellon, Kenneth Boss and Richard Murphy, in plainclothes but wearing their NYPD shields, approached him for questioning.The officers claim to have identified themselves--loudly--as NYPD officers, after noting that Diallo fit the description of a serial rapist. At their move toward, they reported Diallo ran up the outside steps in the direction of his apartment house entrance, turned from the officers, and disregarded their orders to stop and "show his hands.

" After that he reached into his jacket, coming out with his wallet. Reportedly mistaking the item Diallo was holding for a weapon, Officer Carroll

yelled "Gun! " to alert his colleagues.At almost the same time, the officers opened fire. While backing away, Officer McMellon tripped and fell down the steps, leading the others to believe he had been shot.

The four officers fired 41 shots, hitting Diallo 19 times. No weapons were found on his body. The officers then questioned Diallo's neighbors, asking whether they knew anyone who would want to harm Diallo (pretending to investigate his death). On February 25, 2000, after two days of deliberations, a jury acquitted the officers of all charges.

Diallo's death, the change of venue, and the verdict each sparked massive demonstrations against police brutality and racial profiling, resulting in more than 1700 arrests. Police officers also have a misrepresentation and misunderstanding about minorities and their cultures. Culture and religion play a big role in how police officers should treat the citizens of their community. For example, in some countries looking at the floor or looking away while talking to an officer represents respect towards an officer.In America, this action represents disrespect or avoidance of a confrontation with a police officer.

Some officers believe the suspect may be involved in some type of criminal activity when in fact he or she is only showing respect towards authority. In some cites it seems like the skin color of a person represents how they should act, their criminal background, and/or their involvement in criminal activities. This problem has been ignored for too long and changes need to happen in order to keep peace in this country.In Florida in 1997, Aaron Campbell was pulled over by Orange County Sheriff Mankewich while driving on the Florida Turnpike.

The

stop ended with Campbell being wrestled to the ground, shot with pepper spray, and arrested. Mr. Campbell was a Major in the Metro-Dade Police Department and had identified himself as such when he was pulled over for an illegal lane change and having an obscured license tag. Campbell states “the majority of people they are searching and humiliating are black people. That’s why I was so angry.I went from a ordinary citizens and decorated officer to a criminal in a matter of minutes”.

On April 3, 1998, an Orlando jury convicted Major Aaron Campbell of only two misdemeanor counts of resisting arrest without violence, but acquitted him of the more serious battery charges. But, the charges involving officer Mankewich were dismissed during the trial when Judge Thomas Mihok ruled that Mankewich’s traffic stop was illegal. Because of cases like the one above, minorities are scared or hesitant to interact with police officers.It is also a shame that the media or movies do not help minorities break away from the image of being criminals.

Movies still use minorities to play their known criminals or drug dealers. This has given society a false image of minorities. An acronym which we are all familiar with is DWI, Driving While Intoxicated. But, “DWB” (Driving While Black) has become more common in our society. DWB relates to how racial profiling has provided us with a false image of protection. This country needs to be aware of the action of police officers and their tactics.

The United States is the world’s melting pot. Therefore, we must learn to live amongst each other without discrimination. Racial profiling is basically a way of thinking

rather than acting. We must erase this presumption from our existing minds and make ourselves aware of the changes in cultures that are occurring around us. Racial profiling must be dealt with in every police department in order for it to stop completely.

It is time for our national leaders to realize that this is not about a few “bad apples. ” It’s about the whole tree, right down to the roots.