Michelle Alexander: Why is Racial Profiling Such a Critical Issue?

In May 2011, The Atlantic Philanthropies and The New Press hosted a discussion about racial profiling in the United States. Racial profiling stigmatises and criminalises people of colour from as early as their pre-teens, violates the rights and civil liberties of innocent people, and has devastating consequences on entire communities. The fascinating panel included former litigator and law professor Michelle Alexander, author of The New Jim Crow, and former federal prosecutor and law professor Paul Butler, author of Let’s Get Free: A Hip-Hop Theory of Justice. Kent Hutchinson and Justin Coello, two young men who have been racially profiled in their neighbourhoods, also gave firsthand accounts of their experiences.

In this video excerpt, Michelle Alexander talks about the problem of racial profiling and why it is such a critical issue in American society. You can read more about the event or watch the full discussion here.