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GOLDSEA |
ASIAMS.NET |
ASIAN AMERICAN ISSUES
RACIAL PROFILING TO FIGHT TERRORISM?
(Updated
Tuesday, Apr 1, 2008, 05:57:09 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
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Historian & Geoff DB
It seems unbelievable that only a few decades ago that there were lynchings and persecutions of blacks, Chinese labors and the Japanese internees. I remember that when I was living in Ohio, that I had heard that some fundamental-christian (vast majority are WASPish extractions) pastors had debated in the past whether Blacks had souls!
I see differentiation behavior based on ethnicity/race to be a natural state in humans - an extension of how we determine if a stranger of different tribe is a friendly or enemy. Even amongst themselves the white discriminate each other based on which side of tracks they are from. I mean that on an individual level don¡¯t we initially categorize/discriminate people we meet by their looks, their height; clothing; manner of speech; behaviorism? I am telling you that on a person to person level – racism can be overcome - even with the most ardent white racist skin head – provided of course your first encounter isn¡¯t at the wrong end of a bat. I also think that many whites suffer from inferiority complex or are threatened by the new comers and manifest their fears via discriminatory behaviors. As person of color (marked man) in a white dominated society, the colored man does have a disadvantage but much of it can be ameliorated with diligent individual efforts.
Having lived most of my adult years in NYC I have not your southern experience. But on the other hand, if you concede/accept that the whites in this country at least ¡°are born with an upper hand¡±, but take the attitude that you will that extra step, that you will pay that extra price, and without bitching - then I believe you¡¯ll find the field to begin tilt in your favor or at least level it.
NYhomeboy
Tuesday, July 02, 2002 at 13:50:08 (PDT)
TO: Historian
"Race is one of the most important factors in the USA."
Harry Truman knew it. John F. Kennedy knew it. As long as politicians are alive in the USA, they'll play ethnic politics. Bill Clinton and Lyndon Johnson, I believe, were sincerely interested in the state of racial equality in America. Although I admire Truman and JFK for what they did and said about civil rights in America, they clearly knew the importance of minority votes, especially in industrial and southern states.
"...only thing that prevents them from returning to Jim Crowe days is that there are a lot more minorities now than there used to be. Perhaps blacks who complain about immigration should take note of this, although I do give them credit for making this country liveable for all."
Brother, you're telling the truth. With few exceptions (such as Brown vs. Board of Education) the only reason our country has made the improvements in race relations is because politicians must now contend with minority voters and civil rights groups. Democracy is hard. You don't get anything without effort in a democracy. African-Americans need to stop sounding like white people and getting scared when we see legal immigrants come here and make a new life. The more minorities there are to lobby for change and diversity will force Americans to stop allowing government and business to be whites only.
"And take abuse from all the whites for being over-achievers. They also do not get promoted according to their achievements. There is a glass ceiling."
It's wrong for African-Americans to be jealous of Asians success here in the US. Asian-Americans face racism too; it's just not the same racism.
I do support affirmative action programs, but only for those who are qualified and who demonstrate the drive and determination to excel. I understand that Asians by and large oppose it. We profoundly disagree, but then again, our socio-economic and educational needs differ greatly.
Geoff DB
GeoffDB02@aol.com
Tuesday, June 18, 2002 at 22:08:20 (PDT)
"Has your American experience been half full or half empty?"
After the whites became minority like the rest of us in the town I live, racism declined and my American experience became not just half full, but full. Before that it was not half empty but empty period. However, this refers to only the south. In the sea of whites known as Vermont my experience has been three quarters full. On the other hand in white majority Texas, it has been empty period...perhaps when whites become minority in Texas, my experience would be at least three quarters full.
Historian
Monday, June 17, 2002 at 12:09:55 (PDT)
"Yeah, so some have a slight handicap - life's not fair. But for the most part in USA, race is the least important factor - it's the state of mind. Would you at least agree that US is the least racist country on earth?"
Race is one of the most important factors in the USA. We have not even had an Italian American President. That should tell you something. Depends on where you are as far as whether US is the least racist country? Parts of the South (Monroe, LA), Mississippi, Alabama and Texas are as racist as white South Africans used to be...only thing that prevents them from returning to Jim Crowe days is that there are a lot more minorities now than there used to be. Perhaps blacks who complain about immigration should take note of this, although I do give them credit for making this country liveable for all.
You made the following two statements
"America the land of equal opportunity - even for its enemies."
"And educational opportunity in Simi Valley public schools are not as good as the elite private schools, and so on. Life's a bitch. No matter what you have, there's always someone better."
My answer: they are contradictory statements. Which is right?
"But, then you have the immigrants from Asia that arrive with even more of a disadvantage, but achieves American Dream within a half generation."
And take abuse from all the whites for being over-achievers. They also do not get promoted according to their achievements. There is a glass ceiling.
"Whatever may be USA faults, its the greatest wealth producing system in history."
Due to immigration and relatively free trade.
"And wealth buddy, is the greatest equalizer."
Free trade is the greatest equalizer. Due to free trade we have otherwise racist folks in SC and TN working for the Japanese.
Historian
Monday, June 17, 2002 at 12:03:24 (PDT)
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