"racial profiling"

[frob2fly]

As much I have prided myself, in the past, of being overtly accepting of the diversity of our passengers worldwide, I find myself very troubled by the fact that, when I fly again, I will be looking at Arabic/Muslim individuals with a sense of suspicion. I realize this is wrong, but with all p.c. aside, I'm scared. How will I know if that gentleman in the white robes and long beard is not "the next ONE"? Am I the only one that feels this way? Please give me some encouraging words. I loathe this feeling of suspicion and hatred that has befallen me since Tuesday.

[CO/HNL-IAH]

I can certainly sympathize with your feelings of mistrust. It is only natural to try and place blame for this horrible incident. Did you feel the same way about white people after the OKC bombing?

It's going to take a lot of courage for Muslim Americans to continue to exercise their Constitutionally guaranteed right to practice their own religious beliefs in light of these circumstances. Can you extend to them the same toleration that you expect from them? My heart goes out to you.

If it's any consolation, anyone who contemplates such a bold action would be foolish to draw attention to themselves by donning white robes and a beard on an aircraft.

[ 09-22-2001: Message edited by: CO/HNL-IAH ]

[**DONOTDELETE**]

I am very worried about my fellow co-workers at Air Canada because they are of Arabic descent. We have many Arabic speaking flight attendants because we offer service in both Hebrew and Arabic on the Tel Aviv run. May of them are not Muslim- they are Christians. It must be very difficult for them right now. I know that after the Seattle Millennium bomb scares many of them had trouble entering the US even when they were working. Do you look at every 20 something white guy with blond hair as Timothy McVay? Probably not. I think if you keep that in mind you will be able to feel a little more rational if not yet comfortable. We will all be a little more sensitive than we were before. Good luck.

[L-1]

You mentioned white robes and beards. Well, terror has no sartorial boundaries.They could have white robes or they could be wearing Armani suits, shorts, sneakers , whatever. You can't judge a book by looking at it's cover. However, vigilance is always fashionable. Like the seargent in Hill Street Blues was always fond of saying. "Let's be careful out there".
Personally, I would hate to judge one of my passengers by the way he looks, although I certainly have been guilty of that on numerous occasions.
One thing is for sure......they always seem to be young! Like in their twenties.This is not unlike Generals that stay behind the combat lines. The older guys have the money and give the orders. These guys are only pawns.

[GalleyHag]

I think that Muslim terrorists look like everyone else. They will try to blend in. That man with the robes and long beard might be an Imam, sort of like a priest or deacon, or something.

Months ago, I worked a flight from BWI to DTW. EVERYONE that came on board - man, woman, child - was dressed in this manner. They were coming back from a demonstration at the Capitol building in DC.

The flight number was also 807, which is either bad luck, or good luck for me. I don't know.

I was immediately put off by them, even though I have friends from Palestine, Egypt, Syria, and the UAE. I was pissed that I could have any anxiety over this.

During service, it became quite clear that they were completely American: no accents, Gap t-shirts under "chadors," and a t-shirt with the Palestinian and US flag intertwined.

It actually turned out to be a fun flight.

Never judge a book by the cover.

Especially now, do not give in to stereotypes, jingoism, and profiling.

Palestinian-, Egyptian-, Syrian-, Lebanese-, and any other Arab-American, are just that:

Americans