I have been the victim of profiling myself numerous times. In my lean years, parking my beat up POS Ford Van in the alley next to my friends house at night nearly always invited a squad car filled with "Officer Friendlys" by for a look-see. Neither of us lived in the "nice" neighborhoods, being the hand-to-mouth po' boys we were at the time. You see, I fit the "Longhair In A Suspicious Van" profile; Officer Friendly's words. I was detained for 45 minutes while my background was checked and my vehicle searched. Sure I was a little indignant at the time; angered at the "stereotyping" I was being subjected to.
I understand now what was going on, and why; Officer Friendly was doing his best to thwart a potential burglary of my friend's and/or his neighbor's property. He got it wrong that night. Yet I don't imagine he got it wrong too often. In the end when all was said and done, I didn't have a problem with that then, and I certainly do not have a problem with that now.