Final answer:
Acts of racial profiling are often initiated by law enforcement officers and have led to protests and public opposition due to recognized disparities and discrimination in practices against Black and Latino individuals.
Step-by-step explanation:
Acts of racial profiling, where law enforcement uses race as a basis for suspecting someone of a crime, are often initiated by law enforcement officers. It involves practices such as singling out certain racial groups, like Black and Latino individuals, for greater attention compared to other groups. This has been recognized by former law enforcement officials like FBI director James B. Comey and New York police commissioner Bill Bratton. There are numerous instances where racial profiling has led to widespread protests, highlighting the public's general opposition to such actions. Further, disparities in police practices have been extensively documented, such as inequalities in traffic stops during the day versus night, showing evidence of discrimination against minority groups. Additionally, laws like Arizona's SB 1070 have sparked controversy due to their potential to encourage racial profiling against Latino communities and others.