Topic Proposal: Racial Profiling and How It Affects Americans of Different Ethnicities Introduction/Overview

Zakariya Hamam
Professor Malcolm Campbell

English 1103
October 2, 2016
Topic Proposal: Racial Profiling and How It Affects Americans of Different Ethnicities
Introduction/Overview
My research will investigate and see how racial profiling affects certain Americans by
their race, color, or ethnicity. Racial Profiling is any police or private security practice in which a
person is treated as a suspect because of his or her race, ethnicity, nationality, or religion. In the
Fourteenth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution reads: Section 1. All persons born or
naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United
States and of the State wherein they reside. No State shall make or enforce any law, which shall
abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens of the United States; nor shall any State deprive
any person of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor deny to any person within
its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws. (U.S Constitution,amend.XIV). The constitution is
what we as people of the United States should live and adhere to. But do we really? Racial
profiling is a practice that represents a great danger to the fundamental principles of our
constitution. It is a practice that has gone on for many years. Profiling has become more evident
and the people whom it affects have broadened to include not only African Americans but
Hispanics, Latinos, and Muslims to name a few. Racial profiling has many citizens of the United
States living in fear and has created a law enforcement that casts entire communities as
suspects (American Civil Liberties Union 2005). Racial Profiling is unconstitutional and
undermines a persons civil right.
Racial Profiling has grown from the time of slavery to more recent times. Racial profiling
is a problem that has affected many people in the past and still affects them in their everyday
life today. If you are African American you looked at as a criminal, if you are of the Muslim
religion you are under suspicion as a terrorist and if you are Hispanic or Latino, you are viewed
as being illegal and involved in drug situations.
African American have been profiled for centuries based on the color of their skin. The
New York attorney generals office shows that even though more blacks than whites were
stopped and searched for concealed weapons, the arrest rate of whites for violations was
actually higher (Harris 1). New Jersey conducted a survey and found that officers were unevenly
stopping black drivers and searching their cars. However, the findings showed 25% of the white
drivers stopped were charged with drugs to the 13% of blacks (Nittle 1.). The statistics are
showing that just because you are of a certain color does not automatically make you guilty of
crimes. We as Americans cannot accuse and convicted people because of the color of their
skin. This goes against their constitutional rights. Furthermore, racial profiling does not only look
at the skin of an individual but often makes assumptions based on ethnicity.
The Hispanic and Latino population is growing more and more every day. These individuals
have come to America looking for a better life. Many of them have followed all the regulations to
be here and want to become productive citizens in our communities. However due to a few
individuals the majority of this ethnic group is being profiled as trouble to our society. We are
supposed to be a nation that embraces differences. With this in mind, how can racial profiling be
an action that is allowed to continue in the United States?
Racial profiling is not only continuing but is particularly growing in population of people
who feel that is needed for safety and security. After the devastating 9/11, many who
condemned racial profiling a year ago have had second thoughts. In the fall of 1999, 81% said
they disapproved of racial profiling, two years later 58% said they favored it requiring all,
including those who are citizens, to undergo special more intense security checks before
loading airplanes in the United States. (Gross 1.). After years of condemning racial profiling as
one that demotes civil rights, officials began to support it in order to fight terrorism. Muslims
throughout the United States were immediately targeted after 9/11. These were individuals who
were born here, lived here, and worked in the United States. The true meaning of Dont Judge
a Book by Its Cover was definitely evident in these situations.
The scare of 9/11 did cause many people to change their view on racial profiling. With
the confirmation that the individuals who had carried out this devastating act were of the Arab
descent made some of the individuals view all Arabs as being bad people. This is a natural
reaction when an event like this happens. Many people felt that the security and safety of
Americans must be met by using racial profiling. The need is to develop a stronger more
accurate way of monitoring the security of our country. These events have shaken our nation,
nevertheless, we must hold on to what our country stands for which is unity of all.
Initial Inquiry Question(s)
The question I currently plan on is Racial Profiling and how does it affect Americans of different
Ethnicity? This may be too broad if so, I can always narrow it down to a certain Race/ Religion.
My Interest in this Topic
I am of the Muslim faith so racial profiling has always been a part of my life. Throughout middle
school and high school, Ive had to overcome situations where people who dont even know me
and how I feel would call me a terrorist just because they heard from someone else what I
believe in. I have seen it with my own eyes the foul language or gestures some people have
done to other just because of the different color of their skin. I know that racial profiling is
something that you can never stop. There will always be that one person who has a different
opinion about someone else. I would like to learn however how its affecting the people who are
racially profiled and what are some ways to show people not to judge a book by its cover.
Next steps
I plan on looking into the library and finding research or books about racial profiling throughout
history. Also I plan on reaching out to ICC (Islamic Center of Charlotte) and or various Churches
to see if anyone there could help in providing their own experiences with Racial Profiling.
However, the Internet had been a get source of information. It has brought me to great sources
such as the American Civil Liberties Union and the National Institute of Justice where I was able
to find a lot of various information on racial profiling.
Zakariya,
I think youve chosen a great topic. It is both extremely relevant to today, especially considering
current events in Charlotte, and also personal to you. While I do agree with your stance
personally, your topic proposal can come across opinionated and that can discredit your work.
You should probably add some more statistics and examples to back up your stance. Itd also
help to include some opposing views. If you intend on making this an argument paper, you can
include the opposing views to then refute them. Overall, I think you have a really great
understanding of the topic and your personal connection will keep you interested in it. I wish you
the best of luck on your paper!

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Zakariya Hamam

Professor Malcolm Campbell

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