The topic of racial profiling has always provided a troublesome feeling to its audience; however to a portion of that audience it provides a feeling of security. In America, the lack of rights to certain minorities seemed to be overshadowed by the safety of the majority. Racial profiling is becoming more and more common in today’s society, but it’s has started to take advantage of anyone who isn’t Caucasian. Within the last decade the use of racial profiling in airports, traffic stops, etc. has boosted through the roof.

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Even if racial profiling increases the security of the average American, it should not be tolerated at the levels it has acclimated to within the past ten years. Numerous accounts of racial profiling have been reported across the nation ever since the tragedy that was 9/11; there are also very different opinions on whether these accounts were actually racial profiling or just “over sensitive immigrants”. A prime example of the American government abusing its right of racial profiling was when Shoshana Hebshi, a middle aged Arab woman, was ripped off her flight and forced into interrogation without justifiable cause. Source B)

Normally, the FBI wouldn’t get called in to an airport for anything less than a bomb threat, however in Hebshi’s case, because she was “possibly of Arab descent” was good enough reason. This woman was subjected to racial profiling and she made a clear statement toward America when she stated, “As an American citizen and a mom, I’m really concerned about my children growing up in a country where your skin color and your name can put your freedom and liberty at risk at any time. ” Her opinion toward America spoke for all the unheard minorities.

That statement appealed to every woman, mother, and individuals who’s ever been judged on based on ethnicity and appearance. She also questioned the message that “America the Free” advertises since it is so quick to judge its own citizens. Another tragedy struck when Trayvon Martin was shot due to his race. (Source A) He was walking down the street of Florida when George Zimmerman shot him because of “suspicious behavior”. This was the direct result of the “Stand Your Ground Law”. It basically allows civilians to take the lives of others because they’re obligated to protect themselves.

That law was the loss of an innocent teenager whose only crime was walking the streets while black. While racial profiling is considered a “bad” thing, there are reasons to believe its hassles are justified. Author Burt Prelutsky feels that racial profiling is something that everyone does; it is “blatant hypocrisy”. (Source E) Most people for sympathy for immigrants (mainly because it’s hard for them to find work), however he feels immigrants shouldn’t crave sympathy by making it seem like the only jobs available to them are the ones picking lettuce in the hot sun. There are multiple minimum wage jobs that are available to immigrants.

The subtext of his passage indicated that we, Americans, are supposed to hate Mexicans (or immigrants) because it’s embedded in us to fear them. Mexicans have always been marked as illegal and dirty. Muslims have been deemed terrorists. “Everybody’s profiling now anyway. ” (Source C) It’s something that people have become so accustomed to nowadays. An entire new generation was raised on hearing that Muslims blow up airports. Columnist Rachel Marsden emphasizes on how even those who claim they oppose racial profiling would still feel nervous sitting next to a group of Muslims on a flight.

This is the reality when it comes to how Americans see foreigners. It’s obvious that Americans fear certain ethnicities and therefore the law is willing to be bent in order to give them peace of mind. Americans racial profile, sadly most of the time it isn’t justified. Racial profiling that was enforced in airports after 9/11 for security reasons was beneficial to the people for numerous reasons. However, that power has become unreasonable and humiliating to those it affects. Americans need to establish the boundary between insuring security and abusing those who are subjected solely on race.

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