Racial Profiling and the Expectations of the People Coming from Different Races - Research Proposal Example

1. Introduction The technological advancements and modernization process has brought in a new set of values which are global in essence but culturally unique in content. The world is thus moving towards a multicultural society that is an amalgamation of people from different countries, races and religion. One of the most important compulsions of the technological advancements has been the emigration and immigration of people from one country to another in order to pursue their personal and professional goals. The social changes brought about by rapid globalization, have changed the socio- cultural values of a country, forcing them to formulate new strategies and policies to meet the challenges of the emerging pluralistic societies. The changing values necessitate development of a new social order which would not only embrace multi cultural values but help forge a universal bond that would transcend race and religious boundaries. Therefore racial profiling is not only a morally degenerative practice but it is the most despicable practice that violates human rights and promotes a deliberate sense of inequality and fear among the minority ethnic group who are designated by their color of skin. 1(a) Statement of the problem Broadly speaking racial profiling can be defined as those actions of police and government officials that are based on racial prejudices. In the new emerging equations of society, racial profiling has become extremely contentious and the discriminate behaviour of police and people in authority in government departments, have posed very serious questions of the relevance of the fundamental rights of the citizens possessing different skin color. More than thirty two million Americans have been subjected to racial profiling and approximately eighty seven millions Americans are at high risk of being subjected to it in future (RP, 2004). The human rights violation and harassment, in the name of justice has provoked a wide spread feeling of outrage and national shame. There is urgent need to address racial profiling. 1(b) Purpose of the study The purpose of the study is to conduct a comprehensive study of people who have undergone atrocities under racial profiling and those live under the constant fear of becoming its victim in future. The study would be an effort to bring out the broader repercussions of racial profiling and would like to focus on the expectations of the people coming from different races. The study would also be used to reflect the opinion of white people and try to decipher the root cause that promotes such practices against colored people. The study would facilitate that efforts are made to understand and promote confidence building and strengthen interpersonal understanding with people from diverse race and culture. 1(c) Significance of the study In the age when the world has shrunk into a global village and the multicultural society is increasing becoming a norm, the study would facilitate better understanding of the differences that exist among the people coming from different races and cultures and help evolve strategies and policies that would mitigate the problems that promotes the use of racial profiling and help inculcate amicable relationship of mutual cooperation and mutual respect. 1(d) Hypotheses The main hypothesis is that the racial profiling is increasingly becoming a regular practice with the police and the government authority to harass people of different color. The second hypothesis can be stated as ‘racial profiling is promoting cultural barrier that are detrimental for socio economic development of the nation as a whole’. 2. Review of the literature The various literature, throwing light on the growing influence of emerging new multicultural societies, help provide a strong incentive for the need to study their impact on the socio political and socio-economic status of a country. The globalization has become a hard reality with stiff competitive business environment. Hence, the emerging new societal paradigms which have negative and often discouraging factors that impede the smooth flow of socio-economic development processes, need to be identified and studied. The study helps in disseminating information regarding the identification of causes and the extent of their impact on the overall performance of the people from diverse cultures in the development of the society. The famous case of 1993 when ‘two white New Jersey troopers shot and wounded three of the four unarmed Blacks and Latinos traveling in a van they had stopped. The men sued, and settled for $12 million’, had put the allegations of racial profiling into national headlines in 1998 (ONH, 2001). Domestic Human Rights Program of Amnesty International USA found that the unlawful use of race in police, immigration, and airport security procedures has expanded since the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001. (RP report, 2004). Juan Antonio Juarez, author of ‘Brotherhood of Corruption’, he has exposed the shocking truths about police brutality and human rights abuse of people based on particular color (2004). According to author Charles Briggs ‘just as police officers in United States single out people of color for traffic stops and searches, clinicians and public health authorities sometimes assume that members of particular communities are natural target for some particular disease… and are even presented as threats to the health of the body politic’ (Briggs ,2003,). Institute of Race and Poverty, Minnesota has also advocated a drastic change of strategy in upholding the civil rights of its citizens irrespective of race and color of skin. ‘Racial profiling is one of the most pressing civil rights issues of our time. It extends beyond direct victims to negatively affect all persons of color of all generations and income levels. It undermines the legitimacy of the criminal justice system, and hinders effective policing in the communities that need it the most’ (IRP, 2000). The racial profiling is a strong case of ‘assumption of moral equality between persons’ (Nagel, p111). Racial profiling is not confined to United States. Canadian Review of Policing Research defined it as "a racial disparity in police stop and search practices, customs searches at airports and border-crossings, in police patrols in minority neighborhoods and in undercover activities or sting operations which target particular ethnic groups" (cbc, 2005). In yet another path breaking move, a case of racial profile was filed in the international human rights tribunal in 2006, who submitted an application to United Nations Human Rights Committee which sought to halt the racial profiling by police. ‘The application challenges a ruling by Spanish Constitutional Court which held that police could target blacks for identity checks because racial appearance is a proxy for immigration status’ (OSJI, 2006). In 2001, The President of America, George Bush had acknowledged the abuse of human rights in the form of racial profiling. He had announced that ‘we’ll end it in America (Feb 27, 2001). Due to the seriousness of racial profiling, the Justice department has developed guidelines to make it clear that it is prohibited in Federal Law Enforcement (USDOJ, 2003) 3. Methodology and Procedure 3.1 Framework of the Study The proposed research study would be quantitative in nature but encompass elements of qualitative research also so that better and more accurate conclusions could be achieved. Since the research involves the study of the impact of cross cultural values in the overall development, a large sample size comprising of people from different race and cultures would be taken from various segment of society. The study would be taking into account the conceptual model as well as the theoretical model. The samples selected and the questionnaires would be prepared as per the theoretical model of survey and a wider conceptual model of the research would be used to analyze the data. Secondary information sources such as libraries, commercial bibliographic databases for peer review, internet resources and e journals would be used for literature review. 3.2 Data collection and Sample Measurement techniques would comprise of questionnaires and interview schedules. Primary data collection would be collected through detailed and qualitative and quantitative questionnaires (Steven, Lohr) prepared, keeping in mind the basic objectives of the study. The survey (Patton, Cochran) would entail questionnaire filled directly by random selection as well as through email. Sampling (Barlett) area would comprise of individuals and big and small enterprises. Special interview schedules would also be used to gauge the responses of the people towards understanding of cross cultural values and their response towards it in the wider interest of the public. 3.3 Data Analysis Comprehensive data analysis would be undertaken (Michael). Software like SPSS would also be used to analyze the data using different techniques. 3.4 Dependent measures In order to control against extraneous variables, the participants chosen for the study all shared the same age group but varying socioeconomic, educational and cultural or racial backgrounds. These extraneous variables were controlled to ensure that none of the participants had an unfair advantage because of age. The participants chosen also used the same questionnaire and interview schedule so that no discrepancy occurs. 3.4 Strength and Weaknesses Comprehensive sampling with wide ranging areas which are impacted due to lack of understanding of different cultural values, would be introduced in the questionnaires and interview schedules so that the scope of study is large enough to ensure the success of the research’s aims and objectives. Another strong point of the study is the wide diversity in the sample selected which would ensure wide scope of individual and group behavioral pattern. The study is also designed to better understand the innovative practices of the people that they are impelled to adopt due to increased phenomena of racial profiling. The study would also ensure the adequate focus is maintained by the authorities, including the government, on the needs and requirements of the people of different race and culture when they are especially vulnerable due to increasing cases of racial profiling that are lowering their morale and adversely affecting their socio economic development. The limitation of the study would be that we would be taking into account only the impact of the racial profiling that has filtering effect on socio economic development. Conclusion It can therefore be concluded that in order to maintain a cohesive and productive team, comprising of persons from cross cultural background, one must familiarise oneself about their cultural highlights and sensitive issues. The world has shrunk into a global village and we must accept the challenges of developing new strategies and models of management that incorporate multi-cultural work environment. We must acknowledge that racial profiling is unacceptable in the present era of rapid globalisation. There is need to encourage cross cultural relationship that is based on mutual trust and understanding of each other. The vast diversity of cultures that exist within the society faces the challenges of not only diplomatic handling but also that of mutual interaction which requires great sensitivity and innate presence of mind and efforts must be made to inculcate trust in the police and government officials who are the pillars of society. Reference Amnesty International USA. (2004). Racial Profiling. Available from: http://www.amnestyusa.org/Other/RP_Report__Threat_and_Humiliation/page.do?id=1106664&n1=3&n2=850&n3=1532 [9 March, 2008]. Bartlett, J. E., II. Kotrlik, J. W., & Higgins, C. (2001). Organizational research: Determining appropriate sample size for survey research. Information Technology, Learning, and Performance Journal, 19(1) 43-50. Briggs, Charles, L and Briggs, Clara Martini. (). Stories in the time of Cholera: Racial Profiling. California. University of California Press. CBCNEWS. (26 May 2005). Racial Profiling. Available from: [9 March, 2008]. Cochran, W G (1977) Sampling Techniques. Wiley. Institute of Race and Poverty. (2000). University of Minnesota. Available from: [9 March, 2008]. Juarez, Juan Antonio. (2004). Brotherhood in Corruption. Chicago Review Press. Lohr, H (1999) Sampling: Design and Analysis. Duxbury. Michael S. Lewis-Beck. (1995). Data Analysis: An Introduction. Sage Publications Inc. Nagel, Thomas. (1979).“Equality” in Mortal Questions. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. Open Society Justice Initiative. 12 September 2006. Available from: [9 March, 2008]. Online News Hour. 13 March, 2001. Racial Profiling. Available from: [9 March, 2008]. Patton, M. Q. (2002). Qualitative Research & Evaluation Methods (3rd ed.). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications. US Department of Justice. (2003). Available from: [9 March, 2008]. Read More