Theme Of Arrested Development: The Conservative Case Against Racial Profiling By Forman

In the essay, “Arrested Development: The Conservative Case Against Racial Profiling” written by James, Forman, Jr. Forman main claim is to address Conservatives who believe that racial profiling is effective, when it is actually doing the opposite of its intended purpose. Racial profiling degrades many people and causes more harm than good, especially young students who are already unconvinced of law enforcement. Forman persuades his audience by using statistics, stories from students, and his own personal experience. James Forman states “The Maya Angelou Public Charter School in Washington, D.C., is the kind of institution conservatives love…”(1). Implying that liberal and other social groups would not particularly approve and is only favored

Foreman does so by the use of the rhetorical device, pathos, to persuade the “color-blind"(3) conservatives. Meaning that conservatives see people as equals and are unlike to believe that racial profiling could be considered harassment. Foreman says, “Children are required to “assume the position”: legs spread, face against the wall or squad car, hands behind head. Police officers then search them, feeling every area of their body”(2). As a person reading this essay, an unnerving feeling can be felt for anyone who goes through that experience. Just imagining high school students going through a daily struggle of anticipating a search, causes the audience to have sympathy for the

When conservatives believe that all races are being treated equal. This is a great strategy Foreman uses what he sees during his time at the charter school. Another example is Foreman’s’ previous student told him, “You think they would try that stuff with white kids? Never.”(3), When Foreman hears his students speak with tainted mentalities, and it is due to law enforcement tearing down their mental confidence. Which proves Foreman’s point of how racial profiling degrades student. Forman uses logos in percentages, to provide factual evidence for audience members that may doubt the ethos and logos appeals. A percentage Foreman uses, “Yielded contraband, mostly drugs, on 25 percent of whites, 13 percent of blacks, and only 5 percent of Latinos”(1). Foreman uses a New Jersey search that was published in The New York Times it is an effective method that Foreman uses to persuade audience members who would relay on documented