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ASIAMS.NET |
ASIAN AMERICAN ISSUES
RACIAL PROFILING TO FIGHT TERRORISM?
(Updated
Tuesday, Apr 1, 2008, 05:57:10 PM)
acial profiling has come to represent the most fearsome form of institutionalized racism. For minority Americans what could be scarier than the prospect of being subject to systematic discrimination by powerful law enforcement agencies capable of invading every sphere of one's life? For Asian Americans the dangers of racial profiling are amply illustrated by the World War II internment of Japanese Americans and the more recent Wen Ho Lee case.
The September 11 terrorist attack suggests a scenario in which racial profiling might not only be acceptable but necessary. Fact is, every terrorist linked to the plot was an Arab male. One wonders if the horrible tragedy that took thousands of innocent lives and plunged our economy into crisis could have been averted had our intelligence, law enforcement and security agencies been given a freer hand to subject airline passengers to intensive searches and background checks on the basis of nationality or ethnicity.
Rational Americans may question whether it is even possible to conduct a workable campaign against terrorist attacks on American soil without intensive resort to racial profiling in airports, at border crossings and hotels. After all, terrorists are fighting a holy war premised strictly on religion and nationality. Despite the obvious dangers of racial profiling, it seems reckless to suggest that the United States can fight terrorists in a race-neutral fashion. Why subject every American to the same levels of delay and discomfort when only a small percentage fit the profile of potential terrorists? On the other hand, are we ready to undermine the constitutional and moral high ground on which our society is built?
The newly declared war against terrorism may well be the ultimate test of our sincerity in rejecting racial profiling. Is it time to rethink our position?
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WHAT YOU SAY
[This page is closed to new input. --Ed.]
"I don' see profiling to equal racism, I see it as deductive reasoning."
Not very helpful in the case of al-Mujahir and if what Pakistanis claim is true: "disgruntled white American men on the side of the Taliban." Perhaps these white boys sized up the WTC and Pentagon, while the NYPD was looking to shoot or at best stop another black person. As the Bible says, as you sow so shall you reap. NYPD paid the penalty for racial profiling. It was profiling too many blacks when it
should have watched out for white and white looking Middle Eastern boys sizing up the WTC. If they had, perhaps we would not have so many of them loosing their lives on September 11.
"US as a society can afford to not use anti-profiling for minor issues - drugs running, etc."
That is exactly what they did by profiling blacks and hispanics before September 11...they profiled them because they are the most likely to drug run.
"Should smokers and non-smokers get the same rate for life insurance?"
Smoking is a choice you make. Race and how you look is not a choice.
"Should I stop discriminating service for my big customers from just shoppers?"
Depends on whether your big customers account for 15% of your sales or for 85% of your sales. If they account for 15% of your sales, you are a fool to discriminate.
"Is the fact that the airline passengers from Columbia are targeted, frisked and scrutinized for drugs by the US Customs more than other countires profiling?"
They include whites.
"Should passengers from every country put through the same crap/delays/search associated with this higher risk group? Can US afford it? Or should we just stop it altogher and treat all teh same?"
I think the sky marshall program is the best way to go.
"Civil War?
What does this have to with profiling?"
Dont act too innocent. It has everything to do with your ignorant statement, "Perks? yup they have some but I don't begrudge them too much - they built the country and let me in." if you mean they to be whites. It was blacks who provided the labor in the south and Asians built the railroads and other infrastructure in this country as indentured laborers. So, no "they" benefited from the labors of blacks and Asians.
"If a part of my body is sick/injured, I would want to target that area, not just treat my entire body."
Has nothing to do with something you cannot change, ie., race. It is not the same thing.
"America the land of equal opportunity."
Depends. The educational opportunity for a kid from inner city LA is much lower than for a kid from wealthy Simi Valley...due to differences in property taxes.
"I am thankful that US has the resources to level the playing field for all."
As long as foreigners by our government bonds and sustain our budget deficits and debt.
Historian
Thursday, June 13, 2002 at 13:55:03 (PDT)
Historian,
I don' see profiling to equal racism, I see it as deductive reasoning.
Anti-profiing at its exteme menas one can't stop a suspect until the deed is done. US as a society can afford to not use anti-profiling for minor issues - drugs running, etc. but when you have greater stakes then its different. If I have a cold, I take antibiotics, if I have cancer - maybe I'll profile it and carve it out.
Should smokers and non-smokers get the same rate for life insurance? Should I stop discriminating service for my big customers from just shoppers?
Is the fact that the airline passengers from Columbia are targeted, frisked and scrutinized for drugs by the US Customs more than other countires profiling? Should passengers from every country put through the same crap/delays/search associated with this higher risk group? Can US afford it? Or should we just stop it altogher and treat all teh same?
Civil War?
What does this have to with profiling?
NYhomeboy
Thursday, June 13, 2002 at 06:46:06 (PDT)
Anti-profiling = another higher standard for USA, in no other country would this be even an issue.
If a part of my body is sick/injured, I would want to target that area, not just treat my entire body.
America the land of equal opportunity - even for its enemies. I am thankful that US has the resources to level the playing field for all.
NYhomeboy
Thursday, June 13, 2002 at 06:24:33 (PDT)
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