Friday, March 10, 2006

Racial Profiling – It has finally reached American shores

September 11, 2001 brought about a turning point in American attitude toward security. The task of protecting American citizens from Islamic terror became most animated, beating at full volume in and around American airports. Still, it was baffling to watch the subsequent, though random, screening process carried out by the worn-out security agents, who picked on Swedish looking old ladies at a frequency greater than Arab looking young unshaved males.
What a farce. Why not using common sense, save time, save on labor and focus on the usual suspects? Why not learn from Israel? My little country has perfected the early warning system, the preventive maintenance, the unearthing of the ticking bomb, by resorting to racial profiling, thus shortening the list to a manageable inventory. It does make sense.
Oh. America could not do this. “Racial profiling” has been and still is, against the law. “Racial profiling” comprises two dirty words on the streets of the former slave owners. Sorry. Can’t be done. America would rather be extremely redundant and exceedingly inefficient rather than resorting to despised practices.
But wait… Here comes Dubai Ports. They have almost taken over management of five key ports in the US. They have bought the privilege from a British company, just as foreign as the UAE owned entity.
Well, there is a need for a slight fine-tuning, a minor embellishment. Foreign or not, but unlike the UAE, “British” is European. “British” has the sounding of an ally. Except, the UAE is an ally of the US. It has been established, or so they say. The kingdom’s government provides a great deal of assistance to the US on its war on terror.
Notwithstanding the official friendship between the governments, the deal frightens the citizens of the New World. They have not admitted to it, but they have been stereotyping.
Americans may not want to see an Arab government in charge of Air Force 1, the Secret Service, or even Continental Airlines. The American public may not want to experiment with letting Dubai Ports manage the New York City port either. Is that surprising? Some of us still remember the Egypt Air disaster over Long Island, where the Egyptian pilot crashed his passenger-loaded plane into the waters while shrieking “Allah Aqbar.” The Egyptian government and the airline officials have never accepted the only sad though documented conclusion. They were clearly in denial. And so is the Dubai Ports management and all those who support the take over deal.
It is true that not all Muslims are crazy fanatics, but nonetheless, all of Al Queda members and admirers are Muslims. These believers have been brainwashed to the point of hopelessness. They have infiltrated civilized organizations, and have silently contaminated them while establishing dormant cells ready for action when the opportunity arises. Dubai Ports may have been contaminated, albeit its top management is unaware or in denial.
And this is where “Racial Profiling” makes perfect sense. Unfortunately, innocent people will become suspects as a result. They will be denied opportunities that are afforded to others who are just as qualified. But when the price of misjudgment reaches a zenith, the side effects associated with the Racial Profiling sin is a price worth paying… Even in America.

 

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