Series Leads with Discussion on Street-Level Profiling in America

By Angela Pavao, a Fall 2014 Leadership Conference Education Fund Intern

Yesterday afternoon, individuals from organizations around Washington, D.C., gathered at The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights to participate in the first “Faces of Profiling” discussion, a three-part series organized by Leadership Conference interns on discriminatory profiling in the United States. This week’s event examined street-level profiling in its many manifestations, including profiling based on race, ethnicity, nationality, religion, sexual orientation, and gender identity.

Jennifer Bellamy, legislative counsel at the American Civil Liberties Union, and Sarah Reece, director of the Academy for Leadership and Action at the National LGBTQ Task Force, shared their perspectives on profiling in its many forms, in addition to some real profiling stories.

A primary message presented was one of action and change. Throughout the discussion, the focus was on overcoming challenges and finding solutions. Jennifer and Sarah emphasized progress being made, such as a law passed in California that will protect transgender individuals and others from sex work charges, an increase in sensitivity training by police departments across the country, and the continued push by the civil rights community for legislative reform and more effective language in the administration’s profiling guidance. The event attendees themselves were another reason to be optimistic. Their presence alone demonstrates the type of engagement we need, and their questions were thoughtful, dug deeply into the issue, and focused on how we can push for solutions.

The desired change, especially its legislative component, won’t happen overnight and may not even happen over the next couple of years. As Sarah pointed out, the solution is complex and must also include a shift in societal attitudes and how people interact with one another. In pursuing this goal, much of the work falls on the individual. In recognition of this, Leadership Conference interns compiled a comprehensive toolkit that contains background information on the issue, a fact sheet on street-level profiling, and a call to action that lays out tips so that anyone can take action. It is our hope that the influence of this series resonates far beyond the content of each discussion.

On November 13 at 12 p.m., we will discuss counterterrorism profiling, and on November 20, also at 12 p.m., we will talk about profiling in immigration enforcement. Light refreshments will be provided during both discussions. For more details and to RSVP, please email [email protected].