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Main Entry: profiling
Function: noun
: the act or process of extrapolating information about a person based on known traits or tendencies; specifically : the act of suspecting or targeting a person on the basis of observed characteristics or behavior
The other day, I was listening to a CNN panel discussion on the new security tactics being employed by the airports given the recent thwarted terrorist attacks and how they might unfairly target people of Middle Eastern descent. One of the panelists – a former U.S. Air Marshall – was criticizing these tactics, saying that they are not strong enough. He says that there should be more screening (i.e. profiling) based on ethnicity and national origin instead of less. His reasoning is “logical”: most of the terrorist plots and attacks, he says, are carried out by people of a certain ethnicity or background. But then again … this doesn’t take into account the Richard Reids or Timothy McVeighs of the world, of which there are many.
Now I don’t even attempt to equate my experience with that of those victimized by that type of thinking, but I’m pretty sure I had my own “profiling moment” at the mall today. I went to JC Penny on my lunch break to return two packs of girls underwear – price tag: $10.56. I know that “returns” can be a sketchy business, so I made sure all my bases were covered. Items to be returned unopened. Check. Original sales receipt with said items clearly marked. Check. Original bag sales items came in. Check. So I present all my “items” to the saleswoman. She checks the merchandise, checks the receipt. Checks the merchandise again. Then she scans the merchandise and scans the receipt. They match. Check. Then even though by scanning the receipt, the money automatically is refunded back to the card I used to charge the purchase, she asks to see the card – to make sure the numbers match. No problem. They do. Check. Then she asks to see my ID. A bit overkill, but not unusual. But what gets me is she looks back and forth from the card to the ID for a full 25 seconds! I counted. And if you’re doubting how long 25 seconds is in the world of retail, try counting to 25, inserting “Mississippi” between numbers. Go ahead, try it. Yep, THAT long, y’all.
But here’s the twist … the saleswoman was a young Black woman. So here’s my questions du jour: what’s the difference between prudence and profiling AND how do you know anymore if you’re being profiled?
Function: noun
: the act or process of extrapolating information about a person based on known traits or tendencies
The other day, I was listening to a CNN panel discussion on the new security tactics being employed by the airports given the recent thwarted terrorist attacks and how they might unfairly target people of Middle Eastern descent. One of the panelists – a former U.S. Air Marshall – was criticizing these tactics, saying that they are not strong enough. He says that there should be more screening (i.e. profiling) based on ethnicity and national origin instead of less. His reasoning is “logical”: most of the terrorist plots and attacks, he says, are carried out by people of a certain ethnicity or background. But then again … this doesn’t take into account the Richard Reids or Timothy McVeighs of the world, of which there are many.
Now I don’t even attempt to equate my experience with that of those victimized by that type of thinking, but I’m pretty sure I had my own “profiling moment” at the mall today. I went to JC Penny on my lunch break to return two packs of girls underwear – price tag: $10.56. I know that “returns” can be a sketchy business, so I made sure all my bases were covered. Items to be returned unopened. Check. Original sales receipt with said items clearly marked. Check. Original bag sales items came in. Check. So I present all my “items” to the saleswoman. She checks the merchandise, checks the receipt. Checks the merchandise again. Then she scans the merchandise and scans the receipt. They match. Check. Then even though by scanning the receipt, the money automatically is refunded back to the card I used to charge the purchase, she asks to see the card – to make sure the numbers match. No problem. They do. Check. Then she asks to see my ID. A bit overkill, but not unusual. But what gets me is she looks back and forth from the card to the ID for a full 25 seconds! I counted. And if you’re doubting how long 25 seconds is in the world of retail, try counting to 25, inserting “Mississippi” between numbers. Go ahead, try it. Yep, THAT long, y’all.
But here’s the twist … the saleswoman was a young Black woman. So here’s my questions du jour: what’s the difference between prudence and profiling AND how do you know anymore if you’re being profiled?
posted by Teree @ 7:34 PM
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