Influence of Race/Ethnicity on the Perceived Prevalence and Support for Racial Profiling at Airports

• NCJ Number: 228148
• Journal: Criminal Justice Policy Review Volume: 20 Issue: 3 Dated: September 2009 Pages: 344-358
• Author(s): Shaun L. Gabbidon; Everette B. Penn; Kareem L. Jordan; George E. Higgins
• Date Published: September 2009
• Length: 15 pages
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Research (Applied/Empirical)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: For additional articles see NCJ-228142-47 and NCJ-228149.

Annotation

This research examined public opinion on citizens' views concerning airport racial profiling.

Abstract

Research showed support for two hypotheses related to whether citizens viewed racial profiling at airports as being widespread and or justified. Sixty percent of the respondents felt that airport racial profiling (ARP) was widespread. In addition, nearly a quarter of the respondents supported the practice of ARP. African-Americans were more likely than Whites to believe profiling at airports was widespread, and racial and ethnic minorities were less likely than Whites to believe that profiling at airports was justified. These research findings support future research to better understand public opinion on security measures being taken to prevent terrorism. Racial profiling is defined as the targeting of citizens, based on their race or ethnicity. Building on past public opinion research on racial and ethnic profiling, this study examined public opinion on citizens' views concerning ARP. A recent Gallup poll allowed for analyses of the perceptions of African-Americans, Hispanics, and Whites concerning whether they felt racial profiling at airports was widespread and/or justified. Tables, notes, and references