This memo offers messaging advice for demanding an end to racial profiling and promoting policies that advance equal justice and public safety. It is intended for communications to “persuadables,” meaning people who are not yet reliably with us, but can be persuaded through compelling arguments.
Main Messaging Goals and Themes
We recommend that communications about this issue emphasize the following themes:
- Shared values, particularly Equal Justice, Fairness, Public Safety, Accountability, Human Rights
- Acknowledge America's progress toward greater racial equity, then over-document discrimination and other barriers.
- Highlight solutions that ensure equal justice and protect public safety.
- Explain why profiling harms all of us and our society.
- Define the term "Racial Profiling": "The practice of stopping, searching, or detaining people because of their race or accent, instead of based on evidence of wrongdoing."
Key messages
“Racial profiling harms all Americans. It violates the American value of equal justice that we all depend on. It disrespects and discriminates against millions of young people and others around the country. It threatens public safety and can ruin people’s lives. It’s time to end racial profiling and focus law enforcement on evidence and public safety.”
“We need effective community policing that upholds equal justice and protects public safety. Police departments need training, rules, and oversight to avoid racial stereotyping. Congress must pass the End Racial Profiling Act to ensure fair and effective law enforcement that serves all Americans.”
Photo courtesy of ShutterSparks (CC BY-NC-SA 2.0)
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