Target of Racial Profiling, Essay Example

“You Have the Right to Remain a Target of Racial Profiling”

Eugene Robinson’s “You Have the Right to Remain a Target of Racial Profiling” certainly provides some interesting statistics.  However, Robinson’s ignorance of the report’s account for such difference in regards to racial profiling is staggering.  After all, according to Robinson, the figures do not constitute proof, yet Robinson continues to move on with his argument.

The report states that there could be countless factors and circumstances in these stats.  This is actually quite reasonable.  After all, who are we to ignore demographics, location areas, the number of people who were pulled over, and the many “countless” factors that could account for these differences?  Yet none of these are emphasized in the article, in which the report’s reasoning is hardly even responded to by Robinson.

As a result we have an argument that is fueled by emotion.  Facts outside of the percentages are not presented to the reader.  Alas, we have no idea as to the scope of the report, and other factors, such as those mentioned previously.  Robinson’s exclusive use of these “compelling” statistics is not very compelling, when we stop to think about the variables that could account for such differences.

According to Robinson, the matter is quite simple.  However, we cannot make such conclusions without the facts and the reasonable investigative attitude towards such potentially revealing statistics.  Perhaps we should read expert opinions on the matter, which could actually reveal some plausible explanations, or justify Robinson’s conclusions in an appropriate manner.