Originally posted by: Dexterkichokri
Racism, discrimination...whatever you call it. I know I'm probably gonna get a lot of flak for this but let me address the big elephant in the room. The fact is Muslims are notorious for being terrorists since the last decade. In the 50s/60s, Russians were discriminated against in the US for the same (communism...but you get my drift). This is a fact. I'd rather be stripped naked and racially profiled in the airport if the goal is to save the lives of many. When it comes to saving lives, I have no qualms with the security measures taken by US. I have brown skin and I'm sure if I had a Muslim last name, I'd be detained too. Sure, it would be annoying and sure I would complain...but at the end of the day, it's done for a noble cause. When the goal is to save lives, you can never be too careful. I don't blame US at all. Not for frisking SRK, not for racial profiling either.
Dex, racial profiling becomes worst as the context changes. In an airport, stopping someone for questioning on the basis of his skin colour is not a big deal. It has happened to several people In my family as well as friends and ultimately it is fuelled by the need to protect ones own country. I can look past racial stereotyping in this context. Who really gives a shit that they were stopped for a few minutes if it was for the sake of a bigger cause?
It becomes much trickier to justify though when the same people stretch the stereotype for not only 'airport questioning' but also for imprisonment, unfair trials, and torture. Is the security of a nation still worth the death/torture/capture of an innocent?
The questioning of 'is profiling in airports' is not really even the issue, the issue is much more about how far can the boundaries stretch and when the lines blur between what is right and what is not right. When it comes to national security, racial profiling can take a very dangerous turn.
There is a word we use in international law, and its called 'creeping incrementalism'. It implies that the behaviour of governments and officials during a situation of emergency such as 9'11 which is usually stricter/more rash but required has a habit of sticking around way PAST the emergency situation. Exceptions to the rule of law slowly become the 'norm'. There are several signs that this took place in America. And it leads to people in the government acting incorrectly under the guise of legitimate law. And the citizens of a country slowly growing more tolerant of unjust practises.
Anyway, sorry for the essay. I see your point dex, just thought I'd highlight the danger in being lenient with racial profiling as well.
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