“Racially
profiling people of Middle Eastern descent necessary!
By Ramesh
C.Reddy
Pittsburgh Standard
Wednesday, August
30,
2006
Elham Khatami writes a column titled, “Profiles
not always flattering!” that appeared in the August 29th
edition of the Pitt News.
What you will be reading here will be a rebuttal to her column!
Khatami believes that racial profiling is “holding
us back in our efforts to combat this unseen enemy. The truth is that
terrorists come in all shapes and sizes, all races and religions, and
often do not fit the common image of what they are. Pursuing one
specific description limits us tremendously”
There was a time I would have agreed with Khatami! I am an Indian and
have been mistaken as a person of Middle Eastern descent from Iran or
Iraq. The most common mistake that was made was thinking I was a Muslim.
After 911, when I was targeted by a certain few, I was mad. I am not mad
anymore and my stance has changed on racial profiling even if it means I
am racially profiled.
I do not believe racial profiling is holding us back in our efforts. If
people were just willing to bear the inconvenience to save the lives of
thousands, that should be an honor and selfless act. People of Indian
and Middle Eastern descent can show the world that they are willing to
cooperate, even if racially profiled, to show they are not like al-Qaeda
or any other terrorists.
If anything racial profiling to stop terrorism is a good thing. It is a
good thing not because Indians and people of Middle Eastern descent
could be targeted by the government and people but because history will
show most acts of terrorism ever committed were mostly committed by
people of Middle Eastern descent! (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_terrorist_incidents)
For the time being pursuing one specific description does not limit us
tremendously! I am not the only one in support of racial profiling of
Indians and Middle Eastern people at airports, train stations, bus
stations, etc.
According to a poll cited by Reuters on Tues, Aug 29, 2006, by a
60 percent to 37 percent margin, respondents
said authorities should single out people who look "Middle Eastern" for
security screening at locations such as airports and train stations -- a
finding that drew sharp criticism by civil liberties groups.
(http://www.mediafax.ro/english/articole-free/Americans-Back-Anti-Terrorism-Racial-Profiling---Poll-538282-9.html)
Khatami also writes, “racial profiling
severely undermines the basic civil liberties and freedoms which every
person deserves, violating not only the American ideals of liberty and
justice, but also the international standards of human rights.”
What about the rights of victims who have
been savagely and brutally murdered if not burned alive by these radical
terrorists who are of Middle Eastern descent! That is the problem with
the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) which is always about fighting
for criminals personal rights more than the rights of victims!
I would rather be inconvenienced and cooperate with authorities who
suspect me because of my race than allow thousands to die because law
enforcement is afraid to do its job because of groups like ACLU and some
liberal Senators intent on giving terrorist rights.
I hope Khatami is willing to be racially
profiled as I am willing to be if it saves other people’s lives and
helps authorities to do their job. People need to realize there are
consequences for people’s actions.
Sometimes it means innocent people have to
suffer as a consequence of what others do. In this case, most terrorists
coming from Middle Eastern descent, so innocent Middle Eastern people
should be willing to cooperate for the sake of saving other people’s
lives.
If you are a Muslim or look like a person of Middle Eastern descent to
authorities who stop you, understand where they are coming from! Don’t
make it into a stereotype or race issue and run to the ACLU.
In prison, when one prisoner makes a mess, it affects the rest of the
prisoners. That is the way life is. It is usually one person or a group
that messes it up for others.
Sadly, it is Muslims of Middle Eastern descent in the name of doing
things for Allah that have caused more terrorism in the world than any
other group. It should not be surprising then if they are targeted more
closely by authorities.
If you are of a Muslim of Middle Eastern descent and feel your rights
have been curtailed, it is because of a group of people of your religion
who have constantly been in the limelight when it comes to terrorism.
 I
feel bad for any of you who are of Middle Eastern descent and even for
myself because we have to suffer for the actions of a radical few. I
have wonderful Middle Eastern or Muslim friends who would not even hurt
a fly. One of them is in charge of Pittsburgh Project and is such a nice
guy!
One of my mentors is a Muslim and has so much character. When I first
met him I did not know he was a Muslim. Anyone who meets him will see
how gentle he is and yet authoritative in his job. Many times when I am
quick to react towards employees, he is the one that reminds me and
tells me to ask myself, “What would Jesus do?” in that situation.
My former roommate is a Muslim too and he is so nice! Years ago, when I
was in a financial jam, he paid my rent for six months which I was able
to pay it back.
It is not just Muslims but any group that has a history of a particular
vice that is targeted by authorities. Catholic priests are screened more
carefully now because of many being accused of child molestation. It
should not make them mad if they are screened more carefully rather they
should understand too!
It should be known that I have been stopped multiple times by
authorities because I look like a Middle Eastern Muslim to many. It is
not just authorities but others too. I was at a Chaplaincies Association
meeting and one of the other chaplains automatically assumed I was
Muslim, and made the remark, “Let us see what the chaplain from the
Muslim group has to say.”
First of all, I had to tell him that I was not representing a Muslim
group but that I was representing a Christian group. People make
judgments because of their own perceptions. We cannot punish someone
because of their perceptions as long as they do not let their
perceptions turn into racist or discriminatory actions that are against
the law that harms others. If racially profiling is against the law, it
is time it is changed. However, authorities should not abuse their
power.
There have been three situations where I was stopped and scrutinized
carefully by the authorities. I could have taken it personally but my
mom made me understand where they were coming from and I agree.
If you are familiar with the Old Testament, you will come to realize how
many times an individual’s action or a groups’ action affected the rest
of the individuals and groups there. Many times an entire group was
punished for the actions of an individual such as Achan.
Let me share with you what I have been through but do not have a problem
with it because I know the authorities were doing their job to protect
other citizens.
Situation 1: I was at Lexington, KY arena to watch a basketball game. I
was followed constantly by their police and they even came to the seat
where I was watching the game and asked me what I did with the video
camera I had. I could have felt like being harassed but I knew they were
doing it for the protection of their citizens because to them I looked
like a suspicious Muslim of Middle Eastern descent who could pose a
danger.
Situation 2: I was in Washington, D.C covering the Reagan funeral
procession. After it was over, I was getting ready to go. So many people
had book bags on their shoulders but not one was asked to show what is
in their book bag. I was detained and asked to show what was in it. Not
only that, Capitol police took my ID and checked it for awhile before
letting me go!
Situation 3: I was at the Waterfront covering a scene where many fire
engines and patrol cars surrounded the area. I was stopped by police and
grilled when I was taking pictures. I was told that I looked like a
wanted fugitive from Philadelphia. I was detained for 45 minutes before
I was let go.
I could have handled the situation in two ways. One way would have been
to say that they are doing it because I look like a Muslim to them and
that I was going to sue them, etc.
Who would that really benefit in the long run?
It would have been because my ego was bruised. Rather than thinking
about our own ego, we should be focused on other people. They were doing
it not out of maliciousness but because for welfare of others.
The other way to handle it is cooperating which I did. Stereotyping will
happen and liberties will be curtailed because of many terrorists groups
made up of Muslims. Even though I am an Evangelical Christian, my
complexion can make people think that I am a Muslim and they might be
more cautious what I carry and do then others.
I should not take that personally and you should not too. Only when we
are all cooperative and think about others can we stop terrorism from
striking.
If we hold to groups like ACLU and put money in their pockets, we will
get people killed because we try to sue every law enforcement officer
who detains us because they thought we are suspicious.
Let them do their jobs and cooperate with them! Thanks to all the
agencies that thwarted all the terrorism threats that were about to
occurs! My hope is that you will join me in allowing authorities to do
their job even if it is inconvenient to you!
Khatami also writes “its [racial profiling]
usage eliminates the potential for unity and trust between all of
society’s members and alienates from the public those who are targeted.”
It is an unfortunate situation but even
Hollywood would not agree with Khatami!
Who are the actors that portray terrorists?
It is people of Middle Eastern descent. Even
the actors who are willing to play those roles know that people of
Middle Eastern descent have gotten themselves into a jam because of what
others have done!
It is time we need to cooperate for the sake
of others than being selfish for our rights.
Khatami also writes, “we need to stop
wasting our time just looking for turbans and beards at airports and
instead depend upon reliable detective work.”
Yes, let us do reliable detective work and
also make profiling part of that! It does work and has worked multiple
times. Let us not focus on the times it did not work but all the times
it did work. The most recent example is the foiled attacks on at least
10 airplanes.
Let us remember what happened there!
As Americans were sleeping soundly, British Intelligence, MI-5 arrested
at least 21 people who were directly involved in the plot to blow up
more than 10 airplanes in the air simultaneously as they went from U.K
to the United States. It is the effort of intelligence groups including
wiretapping of conversations that helped in foiling this barbaric act by
people of Middle Eastern descent!
But our domestic lives can be only safe when we are diligent in foreign
affairs. As the continued ‘War on Terror’ ensues, we need more likes of
Bush and people like Lieberman who care to fight the ‘War on Terror’
whether it is in Iraq, Lebanon, U.K., America, etc.
If you have become complacent and side with the ACLU which mind you
started with communist beliefs, you need to think again. Sometimes some
liberties must be curtailed to ensure the safety of thousands.
Khatami however feels that “racial profiling is
ineffective and immoral and certainly not worth the temporary ease of
some ill-founded fear.”
Tell that to the victims of 9-11 and anyone who died because a law
enforcement officer was too scared to scrutinize a Middle Eastern person
because their job would be in jeopardy because of the likes of ACLU and
some liberal senators.
Ramesh C. Reddy believes Elham Khatami wrote an excellent articulate
article which deserves an A+ for content well thought of even
though I do not agree. He can be reached at
pittsbur@pittsburghstandard.com
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