It is because we are game playing and that we all fear being seen as politically incorrect that we do not admit out loud that some form of profiling will at times potentially save the lives of someone or even many innocent people who fall victim to the terrorism of our day?
The best politically correct analogy I can use to explain why some form of profiling is necessary. Is in using the apple and orange. We all know there are all kinds of oranges and apples. Most of them are delicious and nutritious and have become some of our favorite fruits. It has become among the most abundant fruit in our markets and on our kitchen tables. However, we carefully shop for fruit and choose the freshest and wisely avoid the bruised produce, or that that has lost its healthy color. We pass over the less desirable fruit because we have learned through our experience that it may be sour, or potentially going bad. We use our eyes to make these decisions. Instinctively we scan things in our markets before we make any purchases.
If admittedly some form of racial profiling was to be enforced by Homeland Security, it would not be unlike noticing a person in the airport walking with difficulty or using a cane. Would it not be appropriate to provide wheel chair services or a motor cart within the airport? Would we not make a path for someone who is visually impaired, or provide signage to assist the hearing impaired? Why would it be improbable that profiling be used in order to protect ourselves and one another, by any means available. If redheads were found to have repeatedly been carrying knives through security. Would we not expect that Homeland Security should be singling out redheads ?
The more intelligent traveler who may feel they have been singled out in some form of profiling will undoubtedly feel some discomfort in the process. However, they live knowing that there has been too many “bad apples” among them, and their safety is also in jeopardy.
It is an insult to everyone of sound mind and reason, to think that our emotional responses can be left out of the process in racial profiling. Yet, we are intelligent enough to know not every apple or orange is bad. And not every redhead is carrying a knife. But it only takes that one rotten apple to spoil it for everyone. And one redhead to ruin the day.