Racial Profiling

2 Pages 615 Words

Position paper: Is Racial Profiling Justified in Certain Situations?

To begin with, I believe that when a traffic stop is made simply based on race and color than this is wrong and a violation of an individuals rights. However, I believe that in some situations racial profiling is justified. Some even consider the act of racial profiling as a valuable and effective way to reduce crime.
When our national security is on the line, “racial profiling” or more precisely, threat profiling based on race, religion, or nationality is justified. Last week the FBI came under fire for questioning Muslims in Seattle about possible terrorist ties. Where else are federal agents supposed to turn for help in uncovering terrorists plots? How can people argue that profiling is offensive when prohibiting it jeopardizes our safety? Profiling in certain situations must be done and we must consider the missed opportunities. In summer 2001, Phoenix FBI agent Kenneth Williams urged his bosses to investigate Muslim men whom he suspected of training in U.S. flight schools as part of terrorist missions. His superiors rejected him and FBI director, Robert Mueller, said the reason was that there were concerns that the plan could be viewed as discrimatory racial profiling. If the FBI had taken the advice, the feelings of some Arabs and Muslims might have been hurt but the Twin Towers might still be standing and 3,000 innocent people might be alive today. Profiling is just one investigative tool among many that can be used. This is a situation where racial profiling is justified. We need to pay close attention to issues of security and public safety, issues that could mean giving up some of the freedoms that we enjoy especially in the time of the war on terror. People need to understand that they could be profiled and just except the fact. If you have nothing to hide then you have nothing to worry about. If the government needs to profile me...