September 11, 2001: an unforgettable day in American history. Not only did the lives of American citizens affected by the terrorist attacks change, the perception of Middle Eastern men and women changed as well. Racism and prejudice towards Muslims and Arabs emerged and has only increased over time. Previously met with fierce opposition, the American people began to support racial profiling, mostly due to fear and a desire to feel safe. Although national security is vital, racial profiling is not the method in which to apprehend terrorists or even domestic criminals. Racial profiling violates the United States Constitution and race, and religion do not indicate behavior; therefore, racial profiling should be prohibited in law enforcement, even
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When a person is arrested due to their race or religion, law enforcement violates the Fourth Amendment, which prohibits unreasonable search and seizures without probable cause (“The Constitution”). The color of a person’s skin or the deity they worship is not sufficient evidence to incriminate an individual, and therefore a person should not be arrested and questioned based solely on a racial profile. Racial profiling violates the Equal Protection Clause, which guarantees that a state must treat an individual the same as it would treat another individual in the same circumstances (Glaser). Assuming that a Muslim or Arab committed a terrorist attack does not provide equal protection, unless people of other races and religions are considered as suspects. If other races and religions are considered as suspects, then racial profiling is rendered futile, and law enforcement will apprehend suspects based on evidence rather than prejudice. Racial profiling redirects the attention of law enforcement from suspicions based on credible evidence to suspicions based on physical appearance, and in the process racial profiling infringes upon every person’s constitutional …show more content…
Today, confronted with a similar situation regarding people from the Middle East, America must reflect on the past and learn from their mistakes in order to prevent another crisis of morals. The past can’t be amended, but America can avoid repeating it–the first step is prohibiting racial profiling in law
When a person is arrested due to their race or religion, law enforcement violates the Fourth Amendment, which prohibits unreasonable search and seizures without probable cause (“The Constitution”). The color of a person’s skin or the deity they worship is not sufficient evidence to incriminate an individual, and therefore a person should not be arrested and questioned based solely on a racial profile. Racial profiling violates the Equal Protection Clause, which guarantees that a state must treat an individual the same as it would treat another individual in the same circumstances (Glaser). Assuming that a Muslim or Arab committed a terrorist attack does not provide equal protection, unless people of other races and religions are considered as suspects. If other races and religions are considered as suspects, then racial profiling is rendered futile, and law enforcement will apprehend suspects based on evidence rather than prejudice. Racial profiling redirects the attention of law enforcement from suspicions based on credible evidence to suspicions based on physical appearance, and in the process racial profiling infringes upon every person’s constitutional …show more content…
Today, confronted with a similar situation regarding people from the Middle East, America must reflect on the past and learn from their mistakes in order to prevent another crisis of morals. The past can’t be amended, but America can avoid repeating it–the first step is prohibiting racial profiling in law