The Declaration of Independence, the most influential document in our nation’s history, contains the phrase, “All men are created equal.” When Thomas Jefferson wrote this sentence in 1776, it carried with it the idea of hope, equality, and freedom. However, the once awe-inspiring phrase is now empty and meaningless. It's once patriotic and equitable message has been lost to the persistent and grotesque societal illness that is racial stereotyping. Racial stereotypes are unjust beliefs and ideas about an individual based on their race. Children’s parents and their environment influence racial stereotyping. Children attending school influence, and are influenced by, their fellow classmates. It is quite clear that the internet is also a
…show more content…
Racial profiling refers to the targeting of particular individuals by law enforcement authorities based not on their behavior, rather their personal characteristics. Many people don’t experience racial profiling and to them, it might seem as nothing -- but it's much more than that. Police officers will stop African-Americans just because of their race. “In Newark, New Jersey, on the night of June 14, 2008, two youths aged 15 and 13 were riding in a car driven by their football coach. All were African American. Newark police officers stopped their car in the rain, pulled the three out, and held them at gunpoint while the car was searched. James stated that the search violated his rights. One officer replied in abusive language that the three African Americans didn’t have rights and that the police ‘had no rules.’ The search of the car found no contraband, only football equipment” (The Reality of Racial Profiling. (2011, March 1). Cops might think that an African American with a beautiful car has something to do with being a thief. Jamil Jivani said that “This leads people to distrust cops who are the most visible faces of our legal system and when people distrust law enforcements, because they believe that the law is not being enforced equally across all communities, they grow to distrust their government, and believe that the government works for some people but not for all people.” The man that we all know as President Obama who holds B.A. political science with a specialization in international relations was a victim of racial profiling as a student and as a young adult.“Most of the time I got a ticket, I deserved it. I knew why I was pulled over," Obama said. "But there were times when I didn't." Students who go to college and experience racial profiling, see themselves as being violated. These students are very defensive towards others as they are afraid of being victimized.
Racial profiling refers to the targeting of particular individuals by law enforcement authorities based not on their behavior, rather their personal characteristics. Many people don’t experience racial profiling and to them, it might seem as nothing -- but it's much more than that. Police officers will stop African-Americans just because of their race. “In Newark, New Jersey, on the night of June 14, 2008, two youths aged 15 and 13 were riding in a car driven by their football coach. All were African American. Newark police officers stopped their car in the rain, pulled the three out, and held them at gunpoint while the car was searched. James stated that the search violated his rights. One officer replied in abusive language that the three African Americans didn’t have rights and that the police ‘had no rules.’ The search of the car found no contraband, only football equipment” (The Reality of Racial Profiling. (2011, March 1). Cops might think that an African American with a beautiful car has something to do with being a thief. Jamil Jivani said that “This leads people to distrust cops who are the most visible faces of our legal system and when people distrust law enforcements, because they believe that the law is not being enforced equally across all communities, they grow to distrust their government, and believe that the government works for some people but not for all people.” The man that we all know as President Obama who holds B.A. political science with a specialization in international relations was a victim of racial profiling as a student and as a young adult.“Most of the time I got a ticket, I deserved it. I knew why I was pulled over," Obama said. "But there were times when I didn't." Students who go to college and experience racial profiling, see themselves as being violated. These students are very defensive towards others as they are afraid of being victimized.