Essay on Stereotyping and Racial Profiling - 522 Words

Stereotypes can be defined as sweeping generalizations about members of a certain race, religion, gender, nationality, or other group. They are made everyday in almost every society. We develop stereotypes when we are unable or unwilling to obtain all the information we would need to make fair judgments about people or situations. By stereotyping, we assume that a person or group has certain characteristics. Quite often, we develop these ideas about people who are members of groups with which we have not had firsthand contact. Stereotyping usually leads to unfair results, such as discrimination, racial profiling, and unnecessary violence, all behaviors which need to be stopped. A few years ago, while going on vacation, I†¦show more content†¦I felt sorry for each one of them, and realized racial profiling was taking place. These select few were spotlighted for their ethnicity and appearance, and it was clear for almost all to see. Imagine being seated in an airplane across from a pair of dark skinned men wearing turbans. Would you feel comfortable in that position? Most U.S. citizens would probably say no. In one instance, shortly after the events of September 11th 2001, a trio of Arabic men were forced to exit a Northwest Airlines aircraft in Minnesota after several passengers on the plane insisted they be removed. All three men had cleared security but apparently that wasnt good enough. The inconvenience they had suffered was a direct result of the fear that developed from a stereotype. Stereotyping occurs in many other situations as well. Today it is perceived that a person of a minority race poses more of a threat than a Caucasian. Studies have shown that the majority of crimes in the nation over the past several decades were committed by those of a minority ethnic group, and the most common of those offenses were theft and burglary. People often steal when they are desperate for money, food, or other necessities which they cannot provide for themselves. This can be directly related to racial discrimination in the workplace, which leavesShow MoreRelatedRacial Profiling And Racial Stereotyping Essay1959 Words   |  8 PagesRacism and racial stereotyping are constructs that has been around since the beginning of the colonization of America. It’s a notion very prevalent yet undermined by skepticism. Many would believe that a nation such as the United States of America has progressed from such a hideous perspective, however, their existence is o nce again escalating. We see racial profiling and discrimination portrayed in various forms throughout our daily lives. Whether it be something simple as segregated neighborhoodsRead MoreProfling Vs Racial Profiling848 Words   |  4 Pagespolice brutality in the criminal justice system. Cries for racial equality and social justice have been heard from across the nation. 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