The issue of racial profiling has remained controversial for a long time now. Racial profiling occurs when a law enforcement officer takes action for search or arrest of a person for suspicion of a crime solely based on that person’s race, origin, religion and ethnicity. This means that probable cause is established based on the person’s race alone without the consideration of other factors or actions. Proponents of racial profiling argue that there are more crimes associated with people of certain ethnicities as compared to others. Therefore, a person may be presumed as suspicious and proven innocent later based on their race. Opponents of the concept of racial profiling argue that it is the highest form of racism and discrimination against
…show more content…
These assumptions are usually false and are creations of stereotypes in the society. For example, by saying that there are more African Americans in prison than any other race, one might make an assumption that African Americans are more likely to commit crimes than other people in the society. However, such assumptions only serve to create and enhance unfair suspicion for members of the targeted communities (Collum, 2010). Police culture has served to enhance racial profiling especially in the United States. Racial profiling is a not only a moral issue but also a serious ethical issue. It is morally and ethically wrong to judge a person solely based on their race or ethnicity. In fact, racial profiling enhances racism and promotes stereotyping (Glover, 2009). In many cases, racial profiling occurs amongst people of minority races. It only serves to promote discrimination against these …show more content…
Normative ethics is one of those principles that can be applied here. In basic terms, normative ethics works by encouraging people to do unto others what they would wish to be done to them (Chan, 2011). This is the basic way of determining right from wrong in normative ethics. For example, if you wish others to feed you when you are hungry, then you should feed those who are hungry too. In this case, the question to be asked is whether anyone would wish others to judge them or suspect them of a crime based on their racial or ethnic identity. The answer from many people would be negative making racial profiling wrong and unethical according to normative ethics (Collum, 2010). In addition to this, it is unethical and morally wrong to discriminate others based on religion, ethnicity or
These assumptions are usually false and are creations of stereotypes in the society. For example, by saying that there are more African Americans in prison than any other race, one might make an assumption that African Americans are more likely to commit crimes than other people in the society. However, such assumptions only serve to create and enhance unfair suspicion for members of the targeted communities (Collum, 2010). Police culture has served to enhance racial profiling especially in the United States. Racial profiling is a not only a moral issue but also a serious ethical issue. It is morally and ethically wrong to judge a person solely based on their race or ethnicity. In fact, racial profiling enhances racism and promotes stereotyping (Glover, 2009). In many cases, racial profiling occurs amongst people of minority races. It only serves to promote discrimination against these …show more content…
Normative ethics is one of those principles that can be applied here. In basic terms, normative ethics works by encouraging people to do unto others what they would wish to be done to them (Chan, 2011). This is the basic way of determining right from wrong in normative ethics. For example, if you wish others to feed you when you are hungry, then you should feed those who are hungry too. In this case, the question to be asked is whether anyone would wish others to judge them or suspect them of a crime based on their racial or ethnic identity. The answer from many people would be negative making racial profiling wrong and unethical according to normative ethics (Collum, 2010). In addition to this, it is unethical and morally wrong to discriminate others based on religion, ethnicity or