'Of Middle Eastern Appearance' is a Flawed Racial Profiling Descriptor. Issue 2 (1st November 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Al-Natour, Ryan
• Is Part Of: Current issues in criminal justice. Volume 29:Issue 2(2017)
• Page Start: 107
• Page End: 122
• Publication Date: 2017-11-01
• Subjects: racial profiling -- racism -- Middle Eastern -- anti-Arab -- phenotypes -- Cronulla pogrom -- Australia; Criminal justice, Administration of -- Periodicals; Criminal justice, Administration of -- Australia -- Periodicals; Criminology -- Periodicals; Criminology -- Australia -- Periodicals; 364.05
• DOI: 10.1080/10345329.2017.12036090
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1034-5329

Abstract

Abstract: Arab Australian communities and social science academics have argued that the racial descriptor 'of Middle Eastern appearance' increases anti-Arab racism in Australia. These stakeholders argue this descriptor is heavily racialised, gendered, criminalised and inaccurately racially profiles Arabs as Muslims with a range of phenotypical characteristics. Identifying the flawed nature of this racial profiling descriptor, this article argues that this inaccuracy enables a range of discourses attempting to legitimise and undermine anti-Arab racism. The Cronulla pogrom of 2005 is examined as a case study that details these discourses. Ultimately, this article points out how this descriptor produces a number of paradoxes, limitations and unanswered questions common in attempts to racially profile Arab Australia.