Crime, Mistrust and Racial Profiling

            Have you ever been mistaken for a criminal because you "fit the profile"? When a crime is committed the enforcers of the law gather evidence to decrease their pool of suspects, one of the most controversial techniques that officer's use is racial profiling. What exactly is racial profiling? Racial profiling is a prejudiced view on someone based on their skin colour or ethnicity to judge whether or not they have committed a crime even before any evidence has been gathered because they "fit the profile". Racial Profiling is not an effective way to resolve crime because it alienates and diminishes people's sense of citizenship, creates mistrust between institutions, and Are we all created equal or are some people created more equal than others? "I am a young Black female who is university educated. I am also a homeowner and professional. I contribute to society as much as other Canadians. But [as a result of being followed by security] I felt that I was not worthy to be in their store. They may as well hang up signs in the store 'For Whites only." In Ontario Human Rights Code it states that in which all persons feel an equal part of the community and able to contribute fully to the development and well-being of the province. Ontario is home to many people but due to racial profiling individuals that are a part of communities feel like they are not equal members of society. Those who have emigrated from other countries feel as if they don't belong simply due to racial profiling. They feel that they are being rejected by Canadian society and feel that they are and always will be outsiders. People from other countries escape from undesirable living conditions and come to Canada in hopes to be treated fairly, equally, and to live a just life. A black woman by the name of Jacqueline Nassiah was shopping at a Sears's outlet in a Missisauga mall where she was accused of shoplifting a bra.