Summary and Strong Response - Essay Example

Summary and Response Paper SUMMARY AND RESPONSE PAPER Eugene Robinson in “You Have the Right to Remain a Target of Racial Profiling” begins with a report from the Federal Bureau of Justice, in which statistics show that Hispanic, black, and white drivers are equally as likely to be stopped for traffic offences (Robinson, 2007). Accordingly, it is easy to think that equal protection afforded by the constitution has been achieved on American roads. However, the writer disputes this using the report, which shows that Hispanics and blacks are twice as likely to be searched when compared to white drivers.

The author disputes the report’s contention that these statistics do not indicate racial profiling or bias, claiming that the results are compelling, particularly since Hispanic and black drivers are more likely to face police force than white drivers do. He uses evidence from the report that shows black drivers were twice as likely to be arrested at traffic spots, while Hispanics were more likely to receive tickets than white drivers (Robinson, 2007). The author continues to contend that blacks have become used to the profiling that they are less likely to accept traffic charges than Hispanics and whites (Robinson, 2007).

In addition, blacks stopped for traffic issues are twice as likely to be released without charge as white drivers, meaning that they were not in the wrong to begin with. He uses this as clear evidence of racial profiling and selective searches. The author concludes that, from the statistics in the report, if white drivers were stopped as often as Hispanics and blacks, they would uncover thousands of new crimes (Robinson, 2007). However, because society does not want to be searched all the time, racial profiling continues unabated since Hispanics and blacks are easier targets.

From the statistics provided by the author, I believe that racial profiling, especially on American roads, is still alive and well. From the statistics provided by the writer, it is obvious that Hispanics and blacks are more prone to be stopped and searched compared to white drivers. However, the manner in which he uses the statistics does not leave any room for additional factors as to why there is bias on America’s roads. For example, the statistics used do not factor in differences in driving patterns that are prevalent on the roads.

Representation of Hispanic and black drivers among those stopped and searched could significantly differ from how the statistics used represent them in residential areas. People driving on major highways could be significantly different to those driving in the neighbourhood. The statistics referring to searches also failed to take into account the differences in exposure of drivers to the police. If Hispanic and black drivers tend to drive in areas that have more police patrols, it is more likely that the police will notice minority drivers committing infractions than if they were in areas with less police patrols.

The presence of more intense police patrols in such areas could result in bias, while the bias could simply be as a result of response to neighbourhood crime by the police department. Finally, the statistics referring to the drivers’ release without charge fails to take into account the differences in offending. A similar report showed that black drivers are less probable to make use of seat belts and have more un-roadworthy vehicles than white drivers. Therefore, they are more likely to be stopped in traffic than white drivers are, although the reasons for their stop are only liable to a ticket.

ReferencesRobinson, E. (2007, May 1). You have the right to remain a target of racial profiling. Retrieved February 5, 2014, from The Seattle Times: http://seattletimes.com/html/opinion/2003687591_robinson01.html