What is racial profiling?
Racial profiling is inclusion of race in the profile of a persons considered likely to commit a particular crime or type of crime (see Offender Profiling). Towards the end of the 20th century in the United States, the practice fell into disfavor with the general public as abuses by law enforcement came to light. Race riots have also been cited as a symptom of racial profiling.

The issue came into the international spotlight post-9/11 because race is included among the factors used by aviation authorities in several countries to attempt to identify potential terrorists and prevent them from boarding airplanes. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Racial_profiling)

Numerous studies over the past few years have provided evidence that racial profiling is prevalent at all levels of law enforcement. President Bush even raised this concern in his 2001 State of the Union address.

What does that really mean?
One study has shown that approximately 72 percent of all routine traffic stops on an interstate in the Northeast occurred with African American drivers despite the fact that African Americans make up only 17 percent of the driving population. Sadly, since the 9/11 attacks, the practice of racial profiling has intensified in many areas.

What kind of legislation is proposed in regard to racial profiling?
The End Racial Profiling Act, introduced in the Senate in December 2005 and in the House early in 2006, would create a federal prohibition against racial profiling; provide funding for the retraining of law enforcement officials on how to discontinue and prevent the use of racial profiling; and hold law enforcement agencies that continue to use racial profiling accountable. The legislation has the backing of a broad spectrum of civil rights and civil liberties organizations, faith groups and racial-ethnic organizations in law enforcement. The End Racial Profiling Act is an important and necessary step toward restoring faith in an American judicial system that works for everyone.