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By Antonia Robinson (May 2001)

In a society thought of as somewhat racially balanced, people of color across the nation have allegedly been victimized by the discriminatory practice from police of treating blackness
(or brownness) as an indication of possible criminality. This practice of substituting skin color for evidence as a ground for suspicion by law enforcement officials is known as racial profiling.

Despite civil rights victories and advances in racial equality, official racial prejudice is said to still be reflected throughout the criminal justice system. Many minorities claim skin color makes them a suspect in America and more likely to be stopped, searched, or arrested and imprisoned.  “Just being black, I think people automatically assume you do some stuff. Some people are bias and stereotype you and put you in categories,” said high school sophomore, Tiffani Jones. 

Race is not a naturally suspicious characteristic, but as a practical matter it is thought by some minorities to frequently play a critical part in judgment of reasonable suspicion. “I would like to think people use their own judgment on whatever the situation may be, but you do have those times where you see it [race] does have an effect on a decision,” said girls basketball Coach, C. Thomas.                                                                              

Young African American males often report being stopped and detained for reasons that are seemingly an excuse. Prominent people of color also frequently report racial profiling from law enforcement officials just because of race. "I was driving down a street in an upper class [white] neighborhood and pulled over by five police cars. They asked what I was doing in the area. They said they ran my plates and it came up stolen,” said history teacher, Brian Lyons.  Because incidents of stopping African Americans and other people of color have been reported as becoming so prevalent the minority community has given it the name “Driving While Black (DWB).” 

The phrase “DWB,” used with familiarity for years in magazines and newspapers targeted towards minorities can now be found in the pages of top rated publications.  “It [DWB] fits the description, because some people are only being pulled over because they’re black, and not doing any crime,” said high school senior, Lauren Parker.  A core principal in the Fourth Amendment is the police cannot stop and detain an individual without some reason to believe the suspect is involved in criminal activity.  “Any stop that’s made is a clear cut traffic violation based on probable cause or reasonable suspicion,” said Jacksonville police officer, Michael Rutledge.         

Although various subjective and quantitative data has shown that some police might act discriminatory against minorities, a few may still deny the allegations of racial profiling even existing on the nation’s highways. Others AUDACIOUSLY declare that their officers do not stop motorists on the basis of skin color. Still more could  argue that making lopsided numbers of traffic stops among minorities is not discrimination but rational law enforcement.  “I think the possibility for it may be there.  It’s difficult to say it does occur. The years I have been part of the force I’ve never racially profiled anyone,” said Officer Rutledge.                                               

Fighting crime is surely a high priority, but it must be done without damaging others freedom to go about their business without unwarranted police interference and the right to be treated equally before the law, without regard to race or ethnicity. With racial profiling in practice, these basic American ideals seems to be assaulted. Although the age old problem of racial profiling cannot be solved overnight, it must be dealt with because not just people of color but ALL stand to lose in the end.  “I feel that it should be addressed.  It’s a great problem, a big problem in America,” said high school senior, Juwan Nickerson.

            Antonia Robinson is a high school student at Stanton Senior High.  She contribute articles to Blacksonville.com on various issues facing the community.