Playing Devil's Advocate Here...
 

To me they should not have thrown anyone off of that plane but...


What if YOU were on that exact airplane in the exact situation with people who look like they were of Arab desent? It is no secret that there are terrorrist that are still hiding from the US. You know that the people working for Bin Laden believe that killing US Americans is a heavenly calling. Some militant Islamic Arab people beleive their religion calls them to kill us satanic Americans.....and they(Someone of Arab decent) were sitting right next to you?:eek: I doubt that many would have the same opinons they have now... I'm sorry, but the reasons that the African American community have been racially profiled are very different from the reasons that we as Americans are delibrately singling out Arab Americans. There is no coincidence that all 19 identified suspects on those suicide missions are of Arab decent. Not every person of African decent has commiitted a crime... the same is true for Arab people, for I am quite sure they do not share the same hate for Americans as a Bin Laden does. It is a double edged sword. Every person is a individual and I will judge them accordingly. But to me every Arab person in this country is subject to suspicion. Let's be real not politically correct now.;)

Re: Playing Devil's Advocate Here...
 

I don't think that people are saying that they wouldn't be scared or that the thought of something happening isn't in the back of their minds. It's just a matter of does the end justify the means. If I was in that situation and had a fear for my safety, I would do what sequel_1913 said, find some other means of transportation. I wouldn't put the risk of my life in someone else's hands, because there's no definite way to point out someone of Arab descent. It's not like these people were searched and let back on the plane because they were innocent and posed no threat, they were just booted off the plane.

I'd like to know people's reasons for why/how this scenario is different from the racial profiling that goes on with African Americans? To use the argument that it saves lives is invalidated when you remember those black males who were killed at the hands of policemen who engaged in racial profiling practices.

Re: Re: Playing Devil's Advocate Here...
 

You're right. The only difference b/w this instance of racial profiling and those in the past is that, this time, blacks (and other minorities) AND whites are the perpetrators. However, the fear factor and the lack of understanding are the same.

Re: Playing Devil's Advocate Here...
 

I would have gotten off the plane, or rather not have gotten on. I don't believe that they should've been taken off. Because of the recent events (including Greyhound ~ which although they're saying it's isolated, I think that's a crock of you know what...) I have a very real sense of anxiety when I'm near a person of Middle Eastern decent. And that's my problem, I have to find a way to deal with these events better than I am. In the meantime, it's not fair for me to subject possible innocent people to my fears.

Re: Re: Playing Devil's Advocate Here...
 

Very well said. I respect the fact that you acknowledge your anxiety as being a personal issue that you have to deal with. We all have personal issues that, if we imposed them on others, would result in prejudices and bigotry. Much respect.

Re: Playing Devil's Advocate Here...
 

How is this any different from Americans believing that they are One Nation Under God, and that because of that we have license to bomb innocent countries (i.e. Cambodia during Vietnam War)?
There must be separation from church and state (read SPIRITUAL PRINCIPLES and business as usual) until this country goes to war, when we sit soldiers down w/ government sponsored chaplains who tell them that this war is God's duty. We can't talk about God in the classrooms, but Bush can quote scriptures as he is telling us to pray for America's new war.
Some militant Christian White Americans (KKK) believe it is their religious duty to rid this country of anyone who doesn't look like them. How is that any different? Why is it that America can rid the rest of the world of "terrorist cells" but it won't touch the Klan, Aryan Nations, and other hate (read TERRORIST) groups like the LAPD?
It's important that we remember that everything Bin Laden learned how to do, he learned here on US soil. He and other "terrorists" got their terror tactics from the United States of America. The weapons that they are using (seeing as the US supplies/sells over 50% of the worlds arms) have a little American flag stamped on the side. It was ok for the USA to fund these terrorists, during the cold war when they were fighting against the Russians, but as soon as they turned on us (the slaves against the master) they became terrorists.
In addition to seeking those responsible, we have to hold this government responsible for birthing the "terrorists" in the first place.

Re: Re: Playing Devil's Advocate Here...
 

Extremely well put and I agree with you 100%.

I know I may catch some flack, but I really don't care. This is my honest opinion. Not aimed at anyone personally, just a general opinion.

I'm like this. Yes, we as black people and other minorities have it bad. But I don't see anyone saying that they're packing their bags and leaving this country. Nothing or no one is stopping you.

In some countries, women are treated like 2nd and 3rd rate citizens, denied simple human rights, denied education. Dogs are treated better.

There is no other country in the world that I'd rather live in than the U.S. of A.

Yes, but...
 

All that is true, Soror, and I, too, enjoy the privileges of living in the United States of America. However, all I am saying is that this nation and its government is not without fault; I am sure we can all agree with that. These faults that the US has effects and has always disproportionately affected many other countries throughout the world and although we as American people love our country and have the most freedom in all the world, we are not blind to the fact or at least shouldn't be blind to the fact that other countries have SUFFERED as a result of this nations greed and disregard for countries needs. I have extensive experience studying this issue and trust me, I know what I am talking about. You are right, I will not be moving out of the United States, or at least it is not my plan to right now, but it is my professional job to monitor international trends and the US' globalization effect on the rest of the world and there is nothing wrong with identifying the root of much of the world's distaste for America and trying to solve the problem.


Thank you.

Re: Re: Playing Devil's Advocate Here...
 

I have the highest respect for you because you have the integrity to acknowledge how you feel, and not try to put it off on anyone.

One of my husband's aquaintances was pulled off of a flight, subjected to an eight hour interrogation, and not even allowed to contact anyone via phone (not even her husband). The reason the FBI gave her for detaining her and verbally abusing her until her identification was verified (in the presence of her two-year-old child) was that her last name was Khan, and one of the terrorist's last name was Khan. Khan (in the middle east) is like "Smith" is in the United States.

To all those folks out there who are for screening those who you think are Arabic and robbing them of their rights, I will say it again.

I have been subjected to searches and other profiling because I was traveling with someone who LOOKED Arabic. He was not Arabic, neither was he Muslim. There is no justification for this kind of treatment of another person, and for those who attempt to explain this deplorable behavior within the tenets of Christianity, READ YOUR INSTRUCTION MANUAL AGAIN. You obviously did not get it the first time.

:D
TRSimon

I think as African-Americans, we should fight against any kind or racial discrimination and profiling. . . . before Sept. 11th, we were the main victims.