Book Review: What To Do If You Are A Victim Of Racial Profiling

We like to think of ourselves, the USA as a democratic land where people are free. It is also understood freedom comes at a price. Our history is rich with people fighting for all, giving us all a chance to be protected and equal. Bills are proposed, and then become law. The intent is to make us a stronger, better nation. In theory, it sounds simple and majestic; however, in reality it is complicated. 318 million people have different opinions, ideas, needs, and values. After the bills become law, we need people to obey them. If you choose not to obey the law because you do not agree with it, there will be consequences. This is to keep order, fairness and stability in our lives and our country. Currently, there exists a divide …show more content…
In 2000, Kenneth Meeks wrote a book called Driving While Black: What To Do If You Are A Victim Of Racial Profiling. In this book, he talks about being black and your rights during a traffic stop, how to ride a train while black, shop in a group while black, shop alone while black, flying while black, living while black and so on. Thoughts like this further the divide stating that if you are black then you need to do things differently. This book defines racial profiling as “the tactic of stopping someone only because the color of their skin and a fleeting suspicion that the person is engaging in criminal behavior.” In one chapter called “When profiling works: A different Point of view” Meeks states that when white people are hanging around in pronominally black neighborhoods possibly for drug activity they stick out making them an easy target for police. This profiling is considered good police work when used against whites. (Meeks, 2000) “Racial profiling and high discretion police tactics impose substantial costs on innocent citizens of color, who as a result must bear the burden of public humiliation and personal degradation at a level unimaginable to