Racial Profiling has been heightening for the past
two decades due to false allegations by law enforcement agents against people of
color. It has increased in number and frequency. This isn’t just talking about
African Americans; It’s is referring to Hispanics, Indians, and many more
ethnicities who have a darker skin tone. Racial profiling is very significant in today's society because it happens every single day. People may stereotype some one and not even realize that they are doing it.
Quantitative and qualitative evidence has been collected at a federal, state,
and local level, confirming that racial profiling persists even though it was
deemed unconstitutional. Although racial profiling has been brought up before and attempts to stop it has been tried, people have failed because society is still in a mindset that distiguishes through outer appearance. Racial profiling is unacceptable and needs to be stopped because it is belittling, demeaning, and hindering our world from growing together as one.
Specifically I wiould like to address shopping stores in predominantly white areas. When someone of a darker skin color walks into your store, I don't think it is wise to follow them around. They most likely there to buy some clothes and outer appareal, not to steal. I'm not saying that they won't steal because there are people out there who would do that, but just don't assume that it is every dark pigmented person that walks into your store. I, personally has had some experience in situations like this. One day, while shopping in a famous store named after a former princess and her hidings, I was continuosly watched by retail workers and maybe even the floor manager, when all I wanted to do was buy some underwear. I felt very uncomfortable and as if I didn't belong. According to ABC news, shopping in a store and not being the right ethnicity is called "Shopping while black". In a survey done by ABC news, it showed that more than 60 percent of black shoppers have been racially profilled. In 2009, 54% of black respondents said that they were not treated equally in shopping stores. Only 15% of white stated the same response.
Racial profiling should be stopped because it has a negative effect on shopping businesses overall. If customers are being harrassed while trying to shop, they won't come back to your store to spend money ever again. From 1990 to 2001, Asain buying power has increased 152%, Hispanic buying power increased 133%, Black buying power increased 101%, and American Indian buying power has increased 84%. White buying power has only increased 65%. Your business will lose profit by eliminating people of a darker skin color from your store. Racial profiling is a lose-lose situation for shoppers and business owners, so if it didn't exist, everyone could live in peace and do what they love.
Resolving the issue of racial profiling is no walk in the park. Ofcourse it is going to take a lot of time. It may even never get resolved. It all starts with a person. If one person changes the way their store is run in order to eliminate racial profiling, they will recieve a lot of shoppers and make a lot of money. When other companies see that a business is making more money than they are-they will want to find out their tactics and basically mimick it. They will figure out that that business has a friendly environment and that every ethnicity feels at home there, so they will make their companies the same way. It will basically be a chain reaction. This idea is just a theory, but it is possible if carried out by the right person. Yes there are many flaws and objectives to this plan and I acknowledge that, but it is just something to think about.
Briana. Well done. Your writing makes the message loud and clear. Work on your grammar slightly and try to use different diction, sometimes I feel like words are repeated too many times. Also, think about who you are going to write to. If this is going to people our age, tailor your essay to them. If it is going to Congressmen, tailor your essay to them. This way, the message will be more effective. Keep up the good work.
ReplyDeleteI completely agree with Purvi. This is a great start. However, I'm still unsure of who your audience is after reading this piece. When we workshopped in class I had thought you decided on local store owners, possibly in the form of a letter?
ReplyDeleteYou do need to edit and revise some grammar aspects, and also I'd like to see you apply some more mechanics to keep the piece engrossing and thought provoking. I feel when you're telling your experience, if you wish to include that, you could benefit greatly from some parallel structure. That would make it more powerful and really powerful to the reader.
Your logos is concentrated mainly at the bottom of this piece, and I'd like to see it dispersed throughout, that way you're not overwhelming the reader or losing their interest.
This is really good, Bri! I really liked how you included a lot of evidence, including statistical evidence. That is very important when writing a proposal. I kind of think you should elaborate on what you are proposing more, because it is a little broad. I work at Old Navy, and at our store, racial profiling is unacceptable. If an employee discriminates a costumer because of race (or anything), they are automatically fired. At my store, everyone is really friendly to everyone. So, you should include the fact that not all stores have racial profiling, because I am sure that some dont, including mine, and have policies that we enforce against it. there are a few spelling and grammatical errors, but other than that, good job!
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