In her book "Bad Feminist: Essays," Roxane Gay discusses the troubling reality of stop-and-frisk policies in New York City, highlighting how these practices disproportionately target black and Latino individuals. She points out that societal perceptions often associate dangerousness with these demographics, leading to racial profiling and systemic discrimination. The idea of a "cultural profile of danger" perpetuates harmful stereotypes, undermining the individuality and humanity of those being targeted.

Gay contrasts this negative image with the more positive depiction of individuals, specifically mentioning a boy with "soulful brown eyes," to emphasize the complexity of human identity beyond racial stereotypes. Her essay critiques how prevalent biases shape the narrative around safety and criminality, advocating for a more nuanced understanding of individuals rather than reducing them to cultural stereotypes. This reflects a broader issue of racial inequality in law enforcement practices.