Stereo-typing: A necessary evil?

In the post-9/11 period, many people are calling for regulations that call for different treatment of Arab-Americans. They are saying that we should tap into their phone-lines, extensively search them in airports, and even so far as to suggest deportation.

Now for the question; is stereotyping the Arab-Americans a necessary evil to protect America?


My answer: NO! We, as America, have committed too many heinous acts in the past [Segregation of colored people, Japanese-American internment, etc] that have failed miserably that we should know better than to attempt this again.

I will use the Japanese internment camps of WWII as an example:
After the bombings on Pearl Harbor, everyone was in a frenzy attempting to find supposed spies that people were claiming provided information to Japan on where to bomb, when to bomb, etc. In response to the "threat" of future leaks of information from within, Executive Order 9033 was signed and passed by Franklin D. Roosevelt. This order required extensive amounts of Japanese-American citizens to be rounded up, taken from their homes, and shipped to internment camps. They were made to stay in these camps for over 900 days, until they were finally released.
The worst part?
After investigations took place, it turned out that there were absolutely no Japanese spies in America, but in fact 5 American spies were discovered.

So I believe that just because we even have proof that a few of a certain group of people have committed such terrible acts, we are still not to treat the rest of that demographic differently. I believe we should simply bolster our security in general, so that extensive measures should not have to be taken against certain people.

-omgwtfftwn00b

 

Of course not. Never mind the fact that this whole terrorism scare nonsense is just allowing the government to expand it's power, that's like saying we should imprison all urban black youths because they are most likely to commit crimes.
Just because some Arabs kill lots of people doesn't mean all, or even a significant percentage do.

There was an article in SciAm this month about this:
Face Value: Does Profiling Actually Help to Catch Terrorists?

 

I do like that article, especially the line:

To take further measures against Arab-Americans, as well as any other demographic, would not only cause issues when concerned with society and natural rights, but it would cost tax-payer money in order to hold these investigations. This is something we must especially not pursue in this economic situation that America is in.

We would have to pay for:
Manpower
Security technology
The time wasted giving special attention to the minorities

Which adds up to a lot more than you would think. Right now we need to prune our extra spending, not add more.

 

I believe it's wrong,
But if I see a guy with a turban and speaking arabic on a plane,
I'm asking for another flight, It's not so much of a racial thing, It's just of a trust thing, As you can't trust anyone anymore,
I'd do the same thing for any other nationality if they were acting suspicious.

 

Wearing a turban and speaking Arabic is suspicious...?

 

What Americans have to realize, including me but I already realize it, is that the amount of terrorist Muslims compared to normal good Muslims is so low. You have to respect people and just because the only time you hear on the news that Muslims are blowing things up, well that's only in the Middle East. I kind of don't blame people for maybe getting scared if a Muslim was praying on an air plane or something suspicious, but yeah not all Muslims are bad; the majority are good.

 

It is if their in a air port.

 

We as American's must realize the values we hold to be self evidently true and must stand strong in our integrity of equal rights if our country is to valiantly lead a free country to victory against those who rain improper.
In other words, we don't treat anyone different unless they have a bomb strapped to them screaming "hail Allah."

 

How is that not a racial thing? You have a trust issue of people of that race. So it's both. Also, could you please tell me the last plane bombing?

 

I beleive that it is a racial thing and i dont think its fair at all seeing as how i do have arab freinds.

 

When was the last plane "bombing" before 9/11? I'm sure you would have told the people on that flight the same thing.

I think it is wrong, but I mean I think airports should check them more often then other people, but not take extra time doing it or more technology to do so.

Also, to whoever said the ratio of bad arabs to good arabs is low, there is still a ratio. When was the last time the US terrorized another nation for no reason? The war right now is a response, Hiroshima and Nagasaki were a response, D-Day was a response. When was the last time you saw something on TV about US citizens (not even government) committing acts of terrorism in another nation?

It is pat of their religion. Well that is an overstatement since some take it to extreme levels and interpret it differently, but a percentage of their population could believe that terrorism is for the better, so I think it is necessary just to be a little discriminate in airports and international boundaries and such. It's just another precaution to protect the US. I do not think they need to use extra resources, time, or money when "checking" them.

As for wire tapping people who are already here, that is wrong. That's being paranoid and violating US privacy laws.

 

I'm black, when I go to a store, I'd prefer them not searching me more than others.

The U.S. is trying to be nuetral, what would you expect?

The terrorist in their religion are called Radicals.

Agin, please, tell me the last plane bombing? Also, you do know they have security measures on everyone? Where they use X-rays and scan luggage.

 

I really like your answer.

I feel the same way.

Another thing that is really sterotypical about this is saying the Muslims will go to heaven with hundreds of virgins if he dies in a suicide bombing. That is not true. Not in the least bit.

The Muslims in Afghanistan are only fighting for their right. It does not mean every Muslim you see in the street is going to bomb you. It's disgusting that some feel that way and treat them for it.

 

I didn't even read the OP because the topic is a ridiculous notion. No it isn't "necessary." I'm not saying it didn't or doesn't have evolutionary advantages, but I think the human race needs to grow out of this stupid habit. It makes sense that when your tribe is dark tan and other competing tribes are dark black or light white that you would see someone of a different color and instantly draw conclusions to keep your gene pool alive, but that isn't really helpful anymore. I don't think there is an alternative view point that is even remotely valid. Not all people of demographic X do action Y, so pretending that they do is flawed logic.

 

If you classify humans as a "Race" I guess you're right.
I have no trust in humans, In all reality when they do something it's for the benefit of them, Or someone in their lives.

 

Of course not! You'd think the government would learn after past mistakes as omgwtfftwnoob said. They tried to single out Japanese-Americans and African-Americans. Both plans failed. Half of my family are Arabs and I personally find this disturbing, degrading, and perturbing. ~Ghost

 

That is complete bullshit. The ratio of bad Arabs to good Arabs? Excuse my language but FUCK THAT. I presume you're white. I am willing to bet that there is worse ratio of "bad Whites" to "good Whites". Or Blacks or Hispanics or any other race! Why should they, NORMAL PEOPLE(the Arabs), have to go through the extra hassle just because of their ethnicity? That is a VERY racist comment. That is probably one of the reasons they want to bomb the US. Think about that! And people from the US don't terrorize other nations. I don't know if you noticed, but the US is MUCH MUCH larger than some other nations. The psychopaths of the US don't need to go out of country. They can terrorize in their own areas. I can get you so many examples of people shooting up their schools, workplaces, etc.

 

Pretty racist, and that's a big stereotype. Just because here in the U.S Many people like to get a laugh of people who come from the middle east, doesn't mean that everyone is like that. It's pretty sad, If you are determined to die you are, you cant stop it.

 

Then why did you specifically mention the turban and their ethnicity?

 

The horrible part about the Japanese interment thing, is that many of them sold off everything they had out of fear. They sold their homes and their possessions at extremely low prices. The U.S. later gave some compensation, but it was something like one tenth of the actual losses.

Racial profiling is usually justified as just that, a necessary evil. People say things like how it's 'essential' for the greater good and whatnot. What it really does is slow down progress and leaves us to use ancient and outdated logic :noworry:.