Sep 1st, 2009
Posted by Nahal Zamani, Human Rights Program at 4:55pm	Defending Targets of Discrimination, Racial Justice, Racial Profiling

A Lesson from Bollywood: Time for America to Ban Racial Profiling

You might have heard about Shahrukh Khan, the Bollywood megastar who was pulled out of a security line and questioned and detained for over 1 1/2 hours by Customs and Border Protection authorities at Newark airport, apparently because of his Muslim name. Khan, who is adored around the world, has an estimated fan base of 3.5 billion people and is a symbol of Indian national pride, was on his way to Indian Independence Day events in Chicago. News of his experience at Newark set off international protests. What made the incident particularly poignant was the fact that Khan had just finished filming My Name is Khan, a movie that deals with post 9/11 discrimination against Muslims in the United States. What a strange coincidence.

However, it is critical to remember that the indignity suffered by Khan is emblematic of a larger problem of racial profiling in the United States. Indian and other South Asian travelers (be they Muslim, Hindu, Sikh or Christian) have been subjected to similar forms of profiling and scrutiny including former Indian president Abdul Kalam and Indian Nobel laureate Amartya Sen.

Recently, CNN ran an op-ed by Chandra Bhatnagar, staff attorney of the Human Rights Program, about the Khan incident and the depth of racial profiling in the United States. In the piece, Chandra notes:

The Khan case provides a chance for American society to re-examine the breadth and depth of racial profiling, its impact on minority communities in the United States, and its harm to America's reputation around the world.

Recently, the ACLU and the Rights Working Group released a report that compiled data and anecdotal information from across the United States and showed that authorities continue to investigate, stop, frisk or search racial minorities based upon subjective identity-based characteristics, rather than identifiable evidence of illegal activity.

The report found that the practice of racial profiling by members of law enforcement at the federal, state and local levels remains a widespread and pervasive problem, affecting the lives of millions of people in African-American, Asian, Latino, South Asian, Arab and Muslim communities. The report also illustrated that victims continue to be racially or ethnically profiled while they work, drive, shop, pray, travel and stand on the street.

The ACLU saw two big successes against racial profiling in the recent weeks. The ACLU of New Jersey recently made advances in monitoring the State Police and upholding accountability, and the ACLU of Illinois was able to access information about the stopping of motorists. To learn more about the ACLU's work to combat racial profiling, check out our report, The Persistence of Racial and Ethnic Profiling in the United States.

 

Permalink |	Defending Targets of Discrimination, Racial Justice, Racial Profiling

1. Gurjeet Kaur Says:
   Sep 1st, 2009 at 10:36pm

   Umm, 3.5 billion fans? That's more than half the world's population. Major typo there?

2. Gary Says:
   Sep 2nd, 2009 at 4:42am

   When Most of the Criminals are people of color. How do you as a Policeman Not profile.
   I believe The ACLU no longer represents our country. How about equal rights for the Majority.

3. Jesse Says:
   Sep 2nd, 2009 at 10:10am

   There is so much information on the issue of racial profiling. Statistics, horror stories, stories of overcoming racial inequalities. But I have never read a book specifically for the target group on how to successfully and legally handle, de-escalate, document, manage or fight an instance. We need a ""Racial Profiling and Inequality in Convictions and Punishments Manuel."" The LEO's have plenty of books on how to effectively and legally operate the way they do. So We should have a cheap booklet or book on How To Legally Counter These Attacks. If anyone knows of a book similar to what I am writing about, Please direct it to my attention. If I knew then what I know now about these things I could have avoided alot of bad experiences.

4. Jesse Says:
   Sep 2nd, 2009 at 11:32am

   It seems that most criminals are not people of color. People of color are a minority on the streets but fill most criminal bunks. Since such a small percent of the majority is still a large number compared to the minority numbers. It makes sense that since there are so few white criminals. There are many times more criminals who have never been arrested. So while you criminalize and lock up minorities your own self-destruction continues. Example: The comment left by Gary.

5. Maggie Says:
   Sep 2nd, 2009 at 12:43pm

   Oh Please! Just finished making a movie on the subject! Oh let me think that sells movies and makes him money!

6. roald Says:
   Sep 2nd, 2009 at 1:04pm

   Gary, please provide backup to you allegation.

   I assert that When Most of the Criminals are males. How do you as a Policeman Not profile. Stop and search all males.

7. Liberal Hater Says:
   Sep 2nd, 2009 at 9:17pm

   So let's get this straight. You idiot liberals think that the poor black male is profiled and incarcerated to much. Good grief, liberalism is a mental disorder.

   So according to the liberal mind we should let out of prison all these blacks who of course had to of been racially profiled and maybe we can lock up some innocent white people. Now do you see the insanity of a liberal.

   If it were not for blacks America would be a safe, decent place to live. But unfortunately they are a cancer on our society.

   I guarantee that if one of these self-righteous liberals had to live with these lazy, drug dealing, murdering niggers they would quickly change their mind. But these "smart" liberals have it made living in decent neighborhoods.

8. TULASI Says:
   Sep 2nd, 2009 at 10:48pm

   WE ARE SO PROUD THAT IF WE GET SEARCHED FOR SECURITY REASONS ITS A 'MAJOR INDIGNITY SUFFERED.' WE ALL NEED TO BE A LITTLE MORE HUMBLE, OTHERWISE ANY 'FAMOUS PERSON' CAN DO ANYTHING THEY WANT AND GET AWAY WITH IT. WHAT IF THE SECURITY WAS CHECKING HIM FOR DRUGS OR SMUGGLING SOMETHING FOR SOMEONE BECAUSE HE COULD GET AWAY WITH IT BECAUSE OF BEING FAMOUS. IT SENDS A WARNING TOO. NO ONE SHOULD BE ABOVE THE LAW. HARI BOL

9. Suzanne Ito, ACLU Says:
   Sep 3rd, 2009 at 9:57am

   Hi Gurjeet. That's not a typo. The 3.5 billion figure is widely cited online, including in this Time article:
   http://www.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,1917090,00.html

10. Gun Control is Racist Too Says:
    Sep 3rd, 2009 at 11:24am

    Many of America's 20,000+ gun control laws exist because of racism.
    To learn more watch the free new video "NO GUNS FOR NEGR0ES" at JPFO.org or on youtube.

11. john Says:
    Sep 4th, 2009 at 5:15am

    Gary, your comment is very igonorant and even racist

    We need the ACLU to make sure people "all" people are treated fairly. and sometimes this requires a lawsuit.
    people from certain countries, especially countries of color, are yes profiled in indirect ways, even to this very day. the cast of suspicion is still alive. coming thru customs is a scary thing for many law-abiding people from certain countries. i just came back from the philippines for vacation, and came thru Detroit airport customs. Let me tell u, Customs and TSA yes, do harrass people and over do it. They need to relax and chill out. This type of treatment to foreign citizens and yes American citizens as myself looks bad to the world. Now i know why many foreignors are not coming in droves to the states like they used too.

12. Bocephus Says:
    Sep 6th, 2009 at 2:39pm

    Racial profiling is brought on by the actions of any particular group of people. If your Italian your immediately assumed to be in the mob. If your Puerto Rican you are immediately assumed to be good with a knife and not in a productive way. Profiling has been part of civilization for centuries cut the bull shit and learn to be a little more thick skinned. What are we turning into a nation of whinning complaining babies or maybe we should call that group the ACLU.

13. Bocephus Says:
    Sep 6th, 2009 at 2:41pm

    THE ACLU IS A BUNCH OF BULLSHIT WHINNING COMPLAINERS THAT WANT TO SUE FOR A HANG NAIL IT SHOULD BE DISBANNED.

14. CRAIG Says:
    Sep 8th, 2009 at 7:14pm

    The ACLU IS NOT NEEDED. You have no reality about the real world. Get rid of these worthless organizations.

15. BO Says:
    Sep 8th, 2009 at 7:26pm

    Black, white, brown, pink who really cares what color you are. I thought we all were supposed to be AMERICANS not African Americans. You know you don't here all the other minorties whining about what they are called because they are to busy making a living and worring about their families future aqnd are actually happy to be here. I have always said that if you don't like it here go back to Africa. I guarantee that if you quit whining about the past and look to the future you will have a more happy and properous life. BE AN AMERICAN.

16. gerry maynes Says:
    Sep 8th, 2009 at 8:21pm

    John Adams project hOW DARE YOU USE THIS GREAT MANS NAME IN SUCH AND EVIL PROJECT! If he was alive I am sure you would be recieving and earful from him.
    Comparinghis defense of British soldiers to your cause wich is to bring down the U.S.A. is a disservice to his memory. You should hang your head in shame

17. nwbarb Says:
    Sep 8th, 2009 at 10:31pm

    I'm in a 100% agreement with Bocephus! I just saw Ms. Nina Ginsberg on the O'Reilly Factor tonight, she is an enemy to this country . These people are putting our brave CIA agents in danger.....shame on all of you in the ACLU.

    I have never been to this site before and I never will return.....but, I saw a heading that said "Prisoner Rights"!!!! What rights did they give their victims? When you break the law you don't have any rights.....bread and water for all of them!

18. Tom Says:
    Sep 9th, 2009 at 2:00am

    Some of the comments here illustrate well the harm that can result when authority fears "The Other." If the ACLU didn't exist, we would have to create it.

19. Ellen Lee Says:
    Sep 13th, 2009 at 1:21pm

    I just saw this on Yahoo, and thought it would be wise to pass it on to you for consideration. Here's an copy so you can see the problem:

    http://tinyurl.com/ljywzs

    The article discusses that police officers are permitted to forcibly draw blood from a person who is pulled over for suspected intoxication from either drugs or alcohol. I think it's a direct violation of a person's civil rights and needs to be stopped!

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