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Recent events have sparked well-worn debates about racial profiling. When these conversations arise, we often hear the claim that racial profiling is “rational.” We’re skeptical. Why? Because this claim rests on two faulty assumptions: (1) that we have accurate information in our heads & (2) that accurate information rationally shapes our behavior.
Even were those assumptions correct, racial profiling also raises critical moral questions that rarely enter our national dialogue. What numbers justify profiling? Do we apply the same standard to different groups? What’s the proper unit of analysis? Are white men exempt?
Racial profiling is not rational. Nor does racial profiling make us safer. But here's one clear consequence: racial profiling signals who is an insider worthy of America’s protection, and who is an outside that America will sacrifice for the “greater good.”
#RaceClass Reqs: American Islamophobia (Beydoun) & Seeing Through Colorblindness (Kang & Lane)
Even were those assumptions correct, racial profiling also raises critical moral questions that rarely enter our national dialogue. What numbers justify profiling? Do we apply the same standard to different groups? What’s the proper unit of analysis? Are white men exempt?
Racial profiling is not rational. Nor does racial profiling make us safer. But here's one clear consequence: racial profiling signals who is an insider worthy of America’s protection, and who is an outside that America will sacrifice for the “greater good.”
#RaceClass Reqs: American Islamophobia (Beydoun) & Seeing Through Colorblindness (Kang & Lane)