how would conflit theory explain the phenomenon of raical profling in America?

Answer 1

Conflict theory is the premise that groups tend to operate in ways to maximize their own benefits, usually at the expense of other groups.

In other words, they get what they want for their own members, and it doesn't matter if that harms anyone different than them.

As applied to the concept of race, if someone defines their group as being of a particular race, then any other race is outside their protection, and subject to exploitation.

Drawing the group lines based on some readily observable characteristic, such as race or gender, makes it easier to determine which individuals are members of the group and should be protected, versus which are outsiders and can be exploited.

So, if a single other race can be declared as being outside of the group (composed of multiple other races), that other single race can be targeted easily.

That's one aspect of racial profiling.