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America Attacked:
Racial Profiling
With Karen Narasaki
Executive Director of National Asian Pacific
American Legal Consortium (NAPALC)
Monday, Sept. 24, 2001; 2 p.m. EDT
Tuesday, Sept. 11, in a horrific series of events, hijacked planes hit and destroyed the twin towers of the World Trade Center and crashed into the Pentagon in what's being described as the single worst act of terrorism on U.S. soil. The Bush administration and law enforcement officials are actively seeking those responsible and have declared war on terrorism.
Karen Narasaki, executive director of the National Asian Pacific
American Legal Consortium (NAPALC), Monday, Sept. 24 at 2 p.m. EDT
will answer questions and comments on racial profiling.
Below is the transcript.
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Karen Narasaki: The National Asian Pacific American Legal Consortium is a civil rights organization based in Washington, D.C. We have been documenting hate crimes for 7 years and have been alarmed by the verbal and physical attacks against Arab Americans and those who may be mistaken for Arab Americans or Muslims, such as Sikhs and South Asians, in the wake of the terrorist attacks. More information about our work can be found on www.napalc.org.
Alexandria, Va.:
Federal agents are visiting flight schools to examine the records of Middle Eastern students. Is that sort of investigation an example of racial profiling?
Karen Narasaki: It is an example of racial profiling if the only basis on which they are checking names is ethnicity. This is very similar to what happened in the wake of the campaign finance scandal in 1996 when campaign donations made by all Asian Americans were investigated only on the basis of their ethnicity.
The problem with using racial profiling in law enforcement is that it isn't very effective and it entangles innocent people. Someone can easily change their name to something more traditionally American sounding and escape detection. In fact, it seems that some of the hijackers may have stolen other people's identities.
Fort Lauderdale, Fla.:
At what point and for how long would it be desirable to set aside the issue of racial profiling in the interest of the security of our country?
Karen Narasaki: I don't think it is ever desirable to set aside the issue of racial profiling. Racial profiling is just the latest term for old fashioned discrimination based on race or other such factors. As the internment of Japanese Americans during World War II has taught us, it is precisely when our national security is at stake that our Constitutional protections are the most vulnerable. We must be particularly vigilant in our efforts to safeguard them -- otherwise the terrorists win if they cause us to turn our backs on principles that make our country such a great beacon of hope to the world.
Springfield, Va.:
I recently read a report that several Arab American passengers were asked to leave an airline flight from Salt Lake City to Minnesota after other passengers refused to fly if they remained on the plane. In the discussion that followed, one friend stated out that Arab Americans are not a protected class under current civil rights legislation. Do you know if this is true? Do these citizens have any legal recourse?
Karen Narasaki: Arab Americans, like all Americans, are protected by civil rights laws. You can not be discriminated against because of your race (white, black, asian), national origin, ethncity (Latino, Arab) or religion.
They do have legal recourse. The Department of Transportation has issued a statement reminding airlines of their obligations under the civil rights laws.
I believe that if a passenger is nervous, then they have the right to get off the plane themselves. However, absent any other reason to be suspicious, race cannot be a reason to discriminate.
Shakopee, Minn.:
I am from India and have been stared at suspiciously by people on the road and at shopping malls. I do not feel like going out any more, especially at night. A lot of my Indian friends also feel the same way. The situation is okay at work places.
Would the government kindly take steps to let people know that not every foreign-looking person is dangerous. Many of them are permanent residents and citizens of US. More TV broadcasts would help in this situation. Many immigrant organizations are organizing blood/financial donations so as to help the victims of the attacks.
Karen Narasaki: I have staff who are descendants from India and also have felt the same experiences. President Bush, the Attorney General, the Director of the FBI, Congress, Mayor Guiliani and many religious and other leaders have been issuing statements that suspecting people of being dangerous just because of they way they look is wrong.
NAPALC has asked Transportation Secretary Mineta to also make a formal statement on this issue.
The ABC anchor, MTV and other news programs have also commented on this issue, but I agree that the media could be saying and doing more to educate people and allay their fears. Media, both news and entertainment, can help remind all Americans that Arabs, Afghanistans, Muslims, Sikhs, and Americans of every color and creed lost loved ones in the terrible attacks. And that we all love America.
Washington, D.C.:
Why weren't white males racially profiled after Tim Mcveigh blew up the Federal Building in Oklahoma?
Karen Narasaki: It is always easier to go after minorities because, by definition, it is a smaller number of identifiable people. People understand that it is absurd to suspect every young white male just because one has committed a heinous act. We need teachers, parents, church and other local community leaders to help everyone understand that it is just as absurd to blame all ethnic minorities for the acts of an extremist few.
Plano, Texas:
Racial Profiling is illegal in many cases and against policy in all cases, so why is it happening without action being taken in so many airports? What is worst, is people are ignoring the fact that the real accused terrorists took pains not to look like the traditional image. No Beards, or head coverings, and very western clothes and yet the extremely non-Mulsim Shikes are getting abused and even killed because they look like the Hollywood image. If racial profiling is against the law, where are the arrests?
Karen Narasaki: Racial profiling in this way is unconstitutional -- but not necessarily a violation of a criminal statute. Victims of racial profiling by the airlines may have other legal remedies.
What is important is that the Department of Transportation is taking steps to stop it from happening.
Annapolis, Md.:
In a ideal world there would be no need for racial profiling. But the fact of the matter is we have groups of men of Middle Eastern or African decent who are inquiring about using crop dusters to distribute chemical or biological agents to kill thousands or tens of thousands of people. On the other hand, I truely regret the incidents where people where asked to leave the airplanes. How do you suggest we as a nation resolve the need for public safety over individual civil rights?
Karen Narasaki: I am confident that American will be able to balance public safety with preservation of our civil liberties. For example, in the case of the crop dusters, regardless of the ethnic make-up, to me it seems that it should have caused alarm that some of the people kept returning to ask questions about the airplanes when there was no apparent innocent basis for their interest.
Shouldn't law enforcement be just as concerned if it was Timothy McVeigh's friends seeking to determine whether the crop dusters could be used for domestic terrorism by the militia movement?
San Jose, Calif.:
As a person who looks Chinese, I am angry at the ignorant reactions of people who are making life miserable for our fellow Americans as a result of their skin color or dress.
Do you know if other East Asian American organizations other have taken a stand against this backlash?
I understand that some Asian Americans were targeted after the US spy plane was brought down over China.
Karen Narasaki: Many Asian American organizations have issued statements and helped to organize educational events. The Asian American Journalist Association, for example, immediately issued a guide to coverage to avoid sterotyping of Arabs. The Japanese American Citizens League, Organization of Chinese Americans, National Federation of Filipino American Associations, and a myriad of other Asian American groups have taken a very strong stand on this issue.
As you note, Chinese and other Asian Americans became targets after the US plane was downed in China.
Many Asian American leaders have reached out to the Arab and Muslim American community to help them in this time of turmoil.
New York, N.Y.:
The dialogue on racial profiling can be very frsutrating at times. I agree that Arab-Americans shouldn't be singled out for punitive behavior or hateful treatment based on their ethnicity, especially by private citizens. However, there's a reason the FBI is -investigating- (not incarcerating, not punishing, just gathering information) certain people--because those people fit the profile of the hijackers, and the hijackers all had virtually the -same- profile. The profile DOES exist; it's based on fact, it wasn't just plucked out of the air to torment Arab-Americans. Those who are innocent should have nothing to fear--I don't sympathize when they resent being questioned just because they're Arab. Maybe they don't like feeling singled out, but being questioned does not conflict with one's constitutional rights.
Also, I'm not sure I see an exact parallel between what happened to the Japanese-Americans during WWII (shameful and completely unwarranted) and the kind of profiling Arab-Americans face in the wake of 9/11. For one thing, there is no evidence there were ever any Japanese-Americans who were working for the Japanese side, or who helped the enemy in any way. However, we do know there are still Arab "sleepers" here in the country, working to complete what was started here two weeks ago. They live in our neighborhoods, they own businesses, their children go to our schools (in at least one case). Frankly, I want them found and deported for the greater good of the whole. Again, those who are innocent should have nothing to fear, unless they have ties to these organizations.
Karen Narasaki: The question in racial profiling is whether race is the sole or major factor. It is one thing to be questioned because of other factors but if the only reason you are being picked out is because of what you look like, that is not right.
To be a useful profile, there must be other indicators that you are involved in something criminal than just your last name.
In fact, as the last week has proven, if you try to stereotype, you often get it wrong. Mexican Americans, Filipinos, Sikhs (generally from India who wear turbans) have all been harassed.
It is very hurtful to have your loyalty questioned if you love your country, and in fact, can damage your business or employment or subject your family to harassment.
The parallel with Japanese Americans is that an entire community is being treated as suspect. No one should be presumed to be disloyal just because of what they look like or where they were born.
Our Constitution requires due process and equality.
Ithaca, N.Y.:
Who and what groups, are best able to influence this attack on civil liberties based on race. In short what can Americans do to stop racial profiling in a nation "intoxicated" with patriotism?
Karen Narasaki: Every American has a responsibility to speak out against racial profiling. Parents need to explain these issues to their children. Schools need to hold discussions for their students. Civic organizations need to remind their members and volunteers.
It is particularly helpful at this time for people to reach out to other communities -- interfaith gatherings, for example, can be very powerful in reminding us that it is important to not let our communities become divided and for people to allow others to become isolated and marginalized.
Atlanta, Ga.:
Racial profiling is embedded in American society. Those who believe in their "moral" superiority have always racially profiled people from other races (some races particularly harsher than others), often buying into the racial profiling habits of the majority society.
Sadly, Japanese Americans and Chinese Americans are guilty of the repulsive behavior as well despite their first-hand experience with it years ago.
I would appreciate your thoughts on this.
Karen Narasaki: I agree that many Americans have at some time been guilty of racial profiling -- including Asian Americans. That is why it is particularly important to use this time as an opportunity to understand how hurtful and wrong it is to do it to anyone.
Washington, D.C.:
In reading several columns today online, one writer stated the following:
"...it would be foolish to permit "sensitivity" or an exaggerated worry about giving offense to inhibit authorities from tracking suspected terrorists. Let's not
pretend that "ethnic profiling" is out of the question. It is absolutely necessary. If a young unmarried man from Iraq, Egypt, Syria, Lebanon or half a dozen other nations buys a ticket on a plane, boat or train in the
next 10 years and does not receive a thorough background check and pat down at the gate, we are not defending ourselves."
What is your opinion of this statement and do you think most Americans would agree with it?
Karen Narasaki: It is very sad if most Americans would feel that it is "foolish" to be concerned about defending our Constitution and our nation's bedrock principles at a time when that is what has been attacked.
Racial and ethnic profiling is not absolutely necessary. If we are concerned about safety, that can be done with people being treated equally. Everyone should be thoroughly checked out and their luggage thoroughly searched under whatever protocol is developed.
The only way Americans can ensure against abusive mistreatment against one group is to apply the same procedures to all.
Boston, Mass.:
Given that there seems to be a particular issue with suicide attacks by extremist muslims in the Mid-East, wouldn't it be reasonable to expect increased scrutiny of those of Mid-Eastern background or appearance on airliners. I believe there are no documented cases of other ethnic groups committing suicide attacks in this way in modern times.
After all, the only saving grace in most hijackings is the hijackers instinct for self preservation.
Karen Narasaki: I don't think that the Middle East has the corner on fanatics willing to die for their cause. For example, the militia movement in the U.S. has proven themselves just as willing to sacrifice their lives. I am just as concerned about copycat acts as I am about any repeated attempt.
Davie, Fla.:
There is no question that most Americans will have to give up something for safety. Unfortunate as it may be, people who fit certain profiles must accept their responsibilities as citizens and visitors just because they fall into a certain category.
At the same time, it is incumbant on our officials to treat each person with dignity and respect. Your comments please.
Karen Narasaki: I think you are right that we Americans will have to give up something for safety -- but that sacrifice should be shared by all Americans and not just borne by a few who happen to look like the terrorists.
I agree that all of our officials should treat each person with dignity and respect, but would take that further and say all of us who are proud to make this country our home should, hopefully, feel the same responsibility.
Richmond, Va.:
The Constitution does not require us to ignore race in guarding against terrorist attacks. At least half of the courts that have considered the issue have permitted law enforcement to consider a suspect's race along with other factors when making a stop. Is it permissible to use race by itself as a criteria for surveillance if police never contact the person being watched?
Karen Narasaki: The key to your statement is that it is a suspect's race "along with other factors." The problem is when race is the sole or major factor.
The Supreme Court has also held that our Constitution provides us with a right to privacy. Government surveillance, without any basis other than race, is just wrong even if the police never otherwise contact the person.
Binghamton, N.Y.:
Do you feel that the ant-Arab and anti-Muslim profiling is a manifesting of a pre-existing anti-immigrant mood that is heightened by the economic and changing demograpghics of America.
Karen Narasaki: I think that Arab Americans face the same challenges that Asian Americans face in being perceived as perpetually foreign and not being fully accepted as Americans. In the last century, most of the armed conflict that the U.S. has been a major participant in has either been on Asian or Arab soil. This history provides an environment where it is easier to see these communities as "other" and not "us."
Americans have not yet fully become comfortable with the changing demographics of America.
Unfortunately, some anti-immigrant groups are seeking to exploit these tragic attacks to make the case that the door should be shut to immigration. To do that, it serves their interest to fan the flames of fear.
Karen Narasaki: Thank you for the many challenging questions and interesting observations. I'm sorry we didn't have time to respond to them all.
The challenge of balancing our national security interests with who we are as a people and a nation will continue to be an important topic of conversation and policy in the days to come.
I hope those of you who believe racial profiling is alright, will put yourself in the shoes of those who are the ones who are feeling the discrimination and ask yourself if that is what you would want to happen to you or anyone you loved.
We have faith in our nation's leaders and in our communities that if we work hard enough, we will find the right balance.
Thank you.
www.napalc.org
washingtonpost.com:
That wraps up today's show. Thanks to everyone who joined the
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