If this isn’t institutionalized racism, what is?
Posted by Charles on May 12, 2007
According to an AP report, “Israeli airport security methods studied”, dated 8 May, the Americans are learning from the Israeli on airport security.
The Israeli airport publicly employs profiling which means passengers are subjected to stricter screening based on their appearance or ethnic group. At the immigration, security officers ensure everyone is questioned. However, Israeli citizens face minimal questioning, unless of course, they are of Arabic descent, which means frequent “humiliating body searches and interrogation”. Likewise for foreigners, if they fit the “racial” stereotypes.
Authorised profiling is not only discriminatory in nature but also acts to reinforce the general public impression of the misguided racial stereotype. Moreover, it can act as a cover for security officials to abuse their privileged positions against individuals.
If this isn’t institutionalized racism, what is?
