Over the last decade the hostility decreased, but it is definitely still there. It takes the form of the random searches the T.S.A. performs on a regular basis.
Fifteen years ago my father’s name was just a name, but now it is a brand. People know that a name with a Middle Eastern root is a warning that this man is dangerous. T.S.A. agents know to search people with Middle Eastern names like my father because of what stereotypes lead them to believe. Now my father’s name is more than just a name; it is a curse.
These searches do not bother my father in the least. He, more than anyone, understands how important they really are. It actually bothers him more when they search people like my 80-year-old grandma. They are obviously no threat, so T.S.A. agents are only trying to avoid offending someone. Acting like you are not profiling may be actually worse than profiling.
Regardless of a person’s “feelings,” safety needs to be our number one priority. This may mean adding an extra 20 minutes to our travel time, but this is for the overall safety of fellow Americans. So if that means racially profiling must take place in airports among other places, then so be it.
Some would say profiling is ignorant and outdated, but there is no other way to ensure the safety of our country without some form of it.
[polldaddy poll=5526633]