A Study of The Theme of Profiling in Jennifer Thompson Cannino, Erin Torneo and Ronald Cotton's Memoir Picking Cotton

As humans our minds tend to form thoughts based on different aspects towards people without having facts to back them up. It is purely a human tendency sometimes even uncontrollable. This is also known as profiling. Profiling can be based off many things, some for example are age, culture, gender, and race. Almost anything that can set one apart from another sets up the perfect stage for profiling. Profiling or any type of personal judgement in the mind is pure human performance, but said aloud or can cause much harm towards others. Profiling is extremely harmful outside the personal boundaries. Picking Cotton, is a great example of profiling. Its a meaningful story that shows profiling through different aspects. Though sometimes profiling others can simply lead to an argument or fight, this story leads to almost ruining someone’s life. Profiling has negative side effects for all involved, Picking Cotton clearly shows how profiling Ronald Cotton had a major impact on himself, his family, and even the women profiling him, Jennifer Thompson and Mary Reynolds. (As evident by the tragedy of Ronald Cotton’s story, it is imperative that society understands the harmful consequences of profiling a human being based on ---, to avoid wrongfully punishing or stereotyping innocent people.) (jennifer and ronald) (Cannino et. al 33).

Profiling is simply a term defined as the recording and analysis of a person’s psychological and behavioral characteristics, sometimes this is done individually or by placing people in invisible groups. Picking Cotton is most definitely a novel written based off profiling. There is only one road that profiling can be used in good manners. That is purely using good judgement in your mind to profile certain people to test if they are either true friends or people you really want. When in situations where you meet new people and you have to make quick judgements on if they are safe to be around or spend time with; that is when profiling skills come into excellent use. Other than that path, profiling is extremely harmful to all who are involved. Media plays a major role influencing many young adults who take part in watching and listening to profile races and gender among other invisible categories. (because they should not be there in the first place) Growing up under two people’s influence for 18 years plays a huge part in the way you profile invisible groups. For example if you were to grow up under parents who were racists, that alone would hugely impact your view towards other races. Some homes force their children to believe what they themselves believe, while others let the children have the freedom to choose for themselves. Either way, the world you grow up in as a child leaves much residue on how your beliefs are formed as you start your adult life. Ronald Cotton was labeled as an African America male in his community due to his negative reputation he built himself growing up.

Personally I have profiled others and I have been profiled. It is hurtful judgement that no one should ever have to deal with. Coming from an overseas perspective straight to an American perspective was a huge transition for me. I tried to be the “American” that I saw all around me, but inside I was the African I grew up as. Many people profiled me as a poor African girl. To make things worse, my parents are missionaries so that only added goody goody two shoes to my list. Yes, I did grow up in Africa and yes I am the daughter of missionaries, but that does not give you the right to profile me as a Christian, poor, African girl. I want people to look at the real me, not just automatically make assumptions due to invisible categories made. When I first moved back, I went in the direction of not telling anyone about where I was from or the family I grew u in, just to see what would happen. People tend to be more intrigued when I let them know where I am from. When they were blind to the fact that I am from Africa they were not as easily intrigued with befriending me, once their eyes were opened they automatically clung to me. It was almost sad to realize that being from Africa helped with the amount of friends I had. When people put me in the goody two shoes category I turned to a rebellion stage just to prove I would not be what they categorized me as. Once they categorized me as a wild child, I again turned back to the goody two shoes. People also profiled me as poor, due to the fact that I attended a name brand school, but instead I wore used or passed down clothing. When I was labeled poor, I automatically jumped to wanting to be the opposite. Realizing that I did not come from a rich enough family to afford name brand I switched to finding used name brand clothing. I was all over the place when I moved here back in 7th grade. Thankfully with those experiences this time around I am a much more grounded and independent person.