Chancellor Martin

B2
Racial Profiling (4th Amendment)
Racial profiling is something that has been a problem in the United States for quite a
while. It is something that is criticized heavily because of its prevalence, and the fact that it is
illegal. Yet, it occurs with alarming regularity, and it seems like nothing is being done to fix this
problem. Our country is slowly regressing to what it was back during the 1950s in terms of how
we treat people of color, and if this continues, we are going to have a much bigger problem than
we already do with this.
The first question one might ask it: What is the definition of racial profiling? Racial
profiling is defined as [discrimination] based on perceived race, ethnicity, national origin or
religion, (ACLU). The second question one might ask is why is this a problem? The issue arises
because it is an old, backwards practice that has no place in the modern day, let alone the fact
that it is completely ineffective. The only thing it accomplishes is non-white people feeling
intimidated, and being wrongfully accused and convicted. Even though non-white people only
make up 30% of the population of the U.S., they make up 60% of convicted people (American
progress). This is a disproportionate amount, and it has no real reason behind it other than
targeting these groups more often. There is no evidence to back up that they are committing a
larger number of crimes.

The reason that this violates the constitution (or more specifically, the fourth
amendment), is because it clearly states The right of the people to be secure against
unreasonable searches and seizures. A persons perceived race, ethnicity, national origin or
religion doesnt mean they need to be looked at in a different way than anyone else. Theyre
clearly being unreasonably searched, because their race alone does not constitute reasonable
suspicion. One in three black men can expect to go to prison in their lifetime (American
progress). This is a truly unsettling statistic. It can be assumed with almost 100 percent certainty
that there isnt this big a difference in the amount of crimes committed among black people vs.
white people.
Not only are these people targeted more often, but when they are convicted, they are far
more likely to receive harsher sentences than their white counter parts. The U.S. Sentencing
Commission stated that in the federal system black offenders receive sentences that are 10
percent longer than white offenders for the same crimes (American Progress). Its baffling that
this isnt being addressed. When a certain group of people is being disenfranchised like this, it is
the duty of the people in charge to do their best to change the situation. When those in power do
not act, how can any progress be made? Longer prison sentences in no way benefit any of the
people involved, and it directly hurts not only the people being sentenced, but also the people
close to those being sentenced.
The Bill of Rights, and in this case specifically, the fourth Amendment is supposed to
protect the people of this country from these kinds of injustices. When these things arent being
enforced, how can any of us hope to truly more forward as a country, and begin to accept
everyone equally? These issues need to be addressed on a larger scale, and soon, otherwise these

kinds of things will set the U.S. back a long ways in our pursuit to be the best in human rights as
we can possibly be.

https://www.aclu.org/racial-justice/racial-profiling
https://www.americanprogress.org/issues/race/news/2012/03/13/11351/the-top-10-most-startlingfacts-about-people-of-color-and-criminal-justice-in-the-united-states/