Definition: The consistent occurrence of being presumed guilty and the justification of a presumed “guilty” verdict/designation followed closely by a public conviction and punishment, without trial, based solely upon being identified (racially profiled) as Black.

The Racial Profiling of African Americans begins with (negative) STEREOTYPING

Stereotype: an oversimplified standardized image of a person or group. A very firm and simple idea about what a particular type of person or thing is like.

To Stereotype:  is to believe someone has characters of a particular group only because this is what many people believe that someone of their particular class, Nationality, etc. may be like and not because you know anything about their personality, etc.

Synonyms: typecast, label, pigeonhole, categorize, cast, fix.

Purpose: to use the Hollywood example of “typecasting” an actor is to define, classify, profile and ultimately “limit” their roles and opportunities based upon perceptions “they” want portrayed. Examples would include the Marilyn Monroe stereotype, the John Wayne stereotype and the Clark Gable stereotype that roles, characters and actors are judged, compared and limited to. For African Americans it has been the fat mammy, the pimp, the prostitute, the criminal, the gang member, the Super Fly character, and the Boys in the Hood role. The same is done equally and as successful outside of Hollywood as America has type casted its citizens to be “profiled” for their roles in its society.

For our purpose we are concerned about America’s opposing ethnic stereotypes and how they are used to define, classify, profile and ultimately “limit” roles and opportunities “in America.”

An African American stereotype might include characteristics such as: loud, immoral, rude, flamboyant, angry, violent, dumb, criminal, dangerous, lazy and dependent.

A white stereotype might include characteristics such as: normal/ average, good guy, independent, smart, hardworking, powerful, entitled and always right. (Google  the article called “The White Knapsack.”)

The purpose of stereotyping is to define, classifies, and profile in order to LIMIT THE ROLES AND OPPORTUNITIES of those in its designation. For African Americans it has been to designate a victim/scapegoat for the ills of America that can no longer use their labor and talent without compensation.

A little poem I learned as a small child was and still is:

            If you are white you are alright.

            If you are brown, stick around.

            If you are black, get back.

Racial Profiling through the use of racial stereotypes justifies the perceptions and treatment of its citizens in America.

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