Profiling Planes like a Patriot

In regards to how these essays put profiling, national security, and the USA Patriot act into perspective, I have to say that my perspective hasn't shifted at violently as i wanted to. I've been travelling outside the US since I was around one year old so in the few memories I have, I can say I remember how much easier it was to get through security. I even remember the first time I was told I wasn't allowed to bring my water bottle through security and my surprise at how tight security was. Concerning profiling, I hail from New York City where numerous Muslims or anyone who looked suspicious were pulled out of line. It was normal to see stuff like that. And I guess this is where the perspective comes into play. I didn't realize until today that pulling people of Middle Eastern physicality was and is not a normal sight to see at an airport.

While I do not think it is right to practice racial profiling (also since it's illegal), I cannot help to think about how normal, how integrated racial profiling is in our daily lives. Everyone is suspicious of the Middle Eatern looking man on the airplane or the black man walking behind them on a dark street. And when security at an airport pulls a man with a turban from the line (yes I know that those who wear turbans are not Muslims), we might be appalled that it might happen to a man who did nothing suspicious, but we probably all feel a little relieved or justify the actions. It's not right but this is our culture now. Security, national threats, safety, terrorism are apart of our generation just as much as iPhones.

The two essays concerning the USA Patriot act displays how we as a nation have been pulled between two concepts: security or rights. Are we willing to make sure we are the safest nation in the world? We are. But at what price? Our constitutional rights and privacy. It seems that there cannot be one without the other. The general population does not have the time to examine the USA Patriot act and to fully understand what it means. I don't have the time, I don't think really anyone who isn't retired or directly involved has the time. But it is important that we understand where the government stands when it comes to looking at us and our histories.