Conflict Theory And Racial Profiling

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Pages: 2

Conflict theory characterizes another possible perspective that can explain the practice of racial profiling. Sociologists have begun to examine racial profiling in police stops with recent looking to conflict theory as one possible descriptive model. Conflict theory centers on power differentials based on race and class. Therefore, even though there have been a number of African American celebrities who have had negative encounters with police, a considerable number of the victims have come from middle and lower socioeconomic levels (Harris, 2002). The ruling class (Whites) would only institute policies such as racial profiling (refered to as “crimes of control”) that would mainly affect the minority groups and the working class (African Americans