The canary has been screaming its lungs out since Bill Clinton introduced his racist anti-immigrant bill in 1997, but both Republicans and Democrats have not only ignored its cries, but hastened its situation. Both parties have created this. Don’t think this won’t affect us all.
I get stopped and “randomly” searched at all airports and theme parks. Everytime I’ve been to Disneyland bam “random” search, airport security lines bam pulled out of line for a “random” search. You may ask why I get "randomly " searched so much. I’m brown. That’s it. I dress nice don’t stand out aside from my skin color. How many times can one person be randomly searched by tsa before it stops becoming random? Answer, it was never random
I’m a very white dude and have flown fairly regularly. Not a crazy amount, but several times a year at least.
I have never been randomly searched by the TSA. I’ve definitely been searched, but the couple times have been because I either accidentally brought something I shouldn’t or had some medical equipment in my bag that looked suspicious.
So if people with a darker complexion are getting “randomly” searched regularly… well, that’s not very random.
I’ve always been aware of this by listening to people, but it’s become very obvious just how frequently this happens since I’ve been with my husband who has much darker skin.
I’m a 40+ year old white guy who goes to events. I’ve never been singled out. And for what it’s worth, when I got pulled over twice when I was in my early 20s (79 in a 50 (country road) and 52 in a 35 (speeding in a 45 and didn’t make much effort to slow down as I entered the 35)), I only received written warnings. Never had to set foot out of the car.
I also went the wrong way on a one way at Indiana University at 3am leaving my girlfriend’s. Didn’t know my way around. I was pulled over. I hadn’t been drinking but they also just believed me and didn’t ask me to take any tests. They escorted me to the road I needed to be on to hit the interstate.
We’re absolutely treated differently and it’s bs.
Another 40+ year old white guy here. The last time I remember extra security checks – not counting a quick wand or pat because the scanner got confused with a belt or bunched up clothing – was probably 15 years ago.
I was bringing home some parts on a business trip. They were pressure-loaded gas pistons to help lift heavy lids on equipment. Basically shorter, wider versions of the pistons that might raise the rear window or the hatchback in a car. I had half a dozen of them bunched up in the bottom of my backpack. On the x-ray it probably looked like a cartoonish bunch of dynamite sticks, or at least oddly shaped pipe bombs.
I don’t think I even left the area. I immediately realized what happened, told them what it was, and I think they even let me reach in the bag to pull one out and show them.
I did get one other “random” check in my life where we went into a side room for just a pat down. That was a long-ass time ago though. I want to say when the scanner tech was new and I was a lot fatter, lol.
The sad thing now is that there’s no need to talk sarcastically about “random” searches, and try to prove whether there is bias. These ghouls are all mask-off now.
Hell, if anything I could see “well dressed” being another red flag on top of the “brown” one. I can hear the TSA thought processes now: “That one” has something to hide, or is a drug dealer, or something equally stupid.
I had a friend who got pulled over for being in a car full of nicely dressed young white guys in a certain neighborhood because it was assumed they were there to either buy or sell drugs. They were just lost and had drive into the wrong neighborhood, as this was back before ubiquitous smartphones.
I get a pat down every time I go through an airport because my long hair sets off the scanner and they have to make sure i don’t have anything hidden in the small of my back. Also a white dude. Doesn’t help that my ID photo gives off distinct unabomber vibes.
I frequently get asked if I’ve got weed or if I’m selling weed, both by the cops and random strangers. I never have weed. It’s weird the things people conclude based on appearance.