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Running Head: RACIAL PROFILING

Racial Profiling: Social Policy

Silas Woodsmith, Douglas College
Carys Cragg
Due October 6, 2014

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RACIAL PROFILING
Introduction
The use of racial profiling by Canadian police forces is a contentious issue and the
subject of much debate both academically and in popular culture. I will examine the key points
of two articles on this subject, as well as examine similarities and differences between the views
expressed.
Key Points of the Articles

In Cassolas article Racial Profiling in Law Enforcement is Unjust, the author first defines
racial profiling as the use of stereotypes about race, ethnicity or cultural factors as the sole basis
of decisions regarding an individuals threat to public safety (para 3). Second, the article
discusses the negative stereotypes of racialized groups bolstered and perpetuated by racial
profiling, and gives some specific examples of ways these stereotypes have impacted the lives of
people of colour in Canada. Third, Cassola outlines the faulty logic used to justify racial
profiling, and shows how it is completely ineffective as an instrument of predicting criminality
(para 9). Fourth, the impacts on the lives of members of groups targeted by racial profiling is
discussed. Finally, the author provides options for ways that Canada could move forward.
In Coles article Racial Profiling is a Responsible Approach to Law Enforcement, the
author seems to be working from a definition of racial profiling as including race in the
systematic profiles of criminals (para 2), although they never explicitly state their working
definition. The article begins with the assertion that racial profiling experienced by immigrants
and visible minorities is largely due to their own misperceptions about the realities of policing in
Canada, and more about Canadas multicultural problems (para 5) than a problem with police
procedures. Next, the author lists some of the ways that Canadian police forces have addressed

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multiculturalism and the changing ethnic make-up of Canada. Coles advocates for the inclusion

of race in criminal profiles, and maligns the fact that discussions on racial profiling have become
circular in that the mere mention of the terms implies its existence (para 9). In the last section
of the article, Coles explains that stereotypes exist for a reason, such as the increase in racial
profiling of Arabs and Muslims following 9/11. The author ends by encouraging police to
endeavour to remove racist and stereotypical attitudes (para 16) from racial profiling, but to
continue doing what they need to do in order to solve crimes as quickly as possible (para 16).
Similarities and Differences
One point that both articles agree on is that police forces in Canada need to be more
ethnically diverse. According to Cassola, Police forces must encourage and facilitate the
recruitment of members of minority groups (para 15). However, Cassola doesnt stop there, but
also advocates for change in many parts of Canadian society, from government officials to the
school system. Coles agrees that greater efforts need to be made to increase the presence of
minority populations on police forces (para 16), but does not draw connections between racial
profiling by police forces and systemic racism in other Canadian institutions. Neither article goes
into any detail about how an increase in police officers from minority groups will decrease racial
profiling by the police.
Coles and Cassola disagree on the effect racial profiling has on the ethnic and racial
groups targeted. Coles argues that police should be allowed to do their jobs how they see fit
without having to worry about offending minority sensibilities (para 5), noting that in 2003 the
majority of minorities in Canada felt they had not been treated unfairly (para 15). Coles
postulates that racial profiling data could even benefit the communities it targets, by shining a

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spotlight on which neighbourhoods need more government funding and services. Conversely,
Cassola claims that ongoing racial profiling has contributed to the racialization of the targeted
groups. This means that harmful stereotypes are being more firmly entrenched in the
consciousness of Canada, creating a harmful self-perpetuating cycle. While Coles concedes only
that racial profiling has the power to offend sensibilities, Cassola acknowledges the reality of and
the fear of racial profiling have very serious consequences. From fearing excessive force at the
hands of police to removing ethnic or religious signifiers when in public (para 11),
racialization causes behavioural changes that deeply affect peoples day-to-day lives, as well as
their psyches.
Coles and Cassola also disagree on the effectiveness of racial profiling in predicting or
protecting against terrorism. In reference to the targeting of Middle Eastern, Muslim, and
assumed-Muslim people travelling through airports or crossing borders, Cassola states that there
is no evidence that the targeting of these groups has contributed to the disruption of
terrorism (para 7). In fact, racial profiling provides a predictable rubric with which to gage who
will be scrutinized and who will not, which would seem to make things easier for terrorists.
Coles maintains that racial profiling allows police to narrow their focus to a particular segment
of society, which is helpful because criminal organizations [that may be involved in terrorism]
are often organized along ethnic or racial lines (para 5). Coles also brings up the racial profiling
of Middle Eastern and Muslim people, specifically following 9/11, but does not indicate whether
this actually provided any protection against terrorist acts or not.

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My Opinion
My opinions on racial profiling line up more closely with those expressed in Cassolas
article. I think that racial profiling is a symptom of the ingrained racism in Canadian society. I
agree with Cassolas assertion that racial profiling bolsters other forms of racism that are woven

into Canadian society. Conversely, I was left with the feeling that Coles doesnt really understand
what racial profiling is. She repeatedly referred to racial profiling as merely the inclusion of race
as an identifying characteristic in profiles of specific suspects. I think that Coles article is very
poorly written; she doesnt actually present evidence to support her claims, and in fact many of
her claims are directly refuted with evidence in Cassolas article. But furthermore, I think Coles
article is a perfect representation of how embedded white supremacy is in Canadian culture. Cole
references Adam Gadahn, a white American who became a member of Al-Qaeda, as an example
of a white person involved in terrorism. Why not mention any of the myriad instances of a white
American going on a shooting rampage in a school, movie theatre, or other public place? Why is
Coles only example of white terrorism connected to muslims? I think this is because the violent
acts that white people perpetrate are not attributed to their whiteness, while violence committed
by people of colour is contextualized with their race. Mass murders committed by the likes of
Timothy McVeigh (Oklahoma City Bombing, 1995), Anders Breivik (Norway Attacks, 2011),
and Marc Lpine (Montreal Massacre, 1989) are considered the work of lone, mentally unstable
men, and have not resulted in widespread racial profiling of white men. Meanwhile, Richard
Reid tried unsuccessfully to detonate a bomb in his shoe on a flight in 2001, killing exactly no
one, and the result was a dramatic increase in the racial profiling of brown people at airports. If
we are going to engage in racial profiling, lets be real about who is a threat.

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Conclusion
While the conversation around racial profiling in Canada will likely remain heated, it is
an important dialogue for Canadians to engage in. One way that racism perpetuates is by
remaining hidden and undiscussed. If we continue to have these difficult conversations, perhaps
we can understand each other better and hopefully move forward.

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References
Cassola, A. (2014). Point: Racial Profiling in Law Enforcement is Unjust. Canadian Points Of
View: Racial Profiling, 2.

Coles, D. (2014). Counterpoint: Racial Profiling is a Responsible Approach to Law Enforcement.

Canadian Points of View: Racial Profiling, 3.