Racial Profiling

by David L. Hudson Jr, Series Editor Alan M

• ISBN13: 9781604137170
• ISBN10: 1604137177
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2010-12-01
• Publisher: Facts on File

Summary

Racial profiling is one of the most divisive issues facing contemporary American society. Some say the use of racial profiling calls into question the underlying fairness of the criminal justice system because it deprives a person of the right to equal protection under the law simply because of his or her race. Others, however, note that some types of criminal profiling are acceptable and even helpful in solving crimes. Adding to the complexity is the reality that few can agree on a precise definition of racial profiling. This new book examines racial profiling through several key aspects of this issue, including the war on drugs and the drug courier profile, the war on terrorism and those of Arabic descent, and the immigration controversy and Latinos.

Author Biography

David L. Hudson Jr. is a research attorney with the First Amendment Center at Vanderbilt University. He has published widely on First Amendment and other constitutional law issues. Alan Marzilli, M.A., J.D., is a program associate with Advocates for Human Potential, Inc. He works primarily on developing training and educational materials for agencies of the federal government.

Table of Contents

Foreword	p. 6
Introduction: An Overview of Racial Profiling	p. 11
Point: The Drug Courier Profile Is Effective in Combating the War on Drugs	p. 20
Counterpoint: The Drug Courier Profile Leads to Racial Discrimination	p. 29
Point: Some Racial Profiling Is Necessary in the War on Terror	p. 38
Counterpoint: Racial Profiling in the War on Terror Is Wrong and Costly	p. 47
Point: Some Racial Profiling Is Necessary to Combat Illegal Immigration	p. 55
Counterpoint: Profiling Latinos as Illegal Aliens Is Unconstitutional	p. 64
Conclusion: The Future of Racial Profiling	p. 73
Appendix: Beginning Legal Research	p. 82
Elements of the Argument	p. 85
Notes	p. 87
Resources	p. 92
Picture Credits	p. 96
Index	p. 97
Table of Contents provided by Ingram. All Rights Reserved.

Excerpts

Racial profiling is one of the most divisive issues facing contemporary American society. Driving while black or brown or flying while Arab have become pejorative catchphrases. Some say the use of racial profiling calls into question the underlying fairness of the criminal justice system because it deprives a person of the right to equal protection under the law simply because of his or her race. Others note, however, that some types of criminal profiling are acceptable and even helpful in solving crimes. Adding to the complexity is the reality that few can agree on a precise definition of racial profiling. This new book examines racial profiling through several central aspects of this issue, including the war on drugs and the drug courier profile, the war on terrorism and those of Arabic descent, and the immigration controversy and Latinos, giving readers opinions from all sides of the issue as well as the statues, legal aspects, and studies to formulate a cohesive view.