About two years ago when my sister and I were at the airport going through security, my suitcase passed through the scanner easily, however, my sister's luggage was paused mid-conveyor belt. One security worker motioned to another and before we knew it a flock of them were gesturing and squinting at the screen. They pulled my sister over to a small cubicle with her suitcase and cautiously opened it up, only to find blocks of cheese with her laptop cord sitting on top. The security guard examined her quizzically and explained that the blocks appeared to be suspiciously connected with wires on the screen. "Yeah I just got back from Wisconsin" my sister replied.
That day was the first time I had ever seen someone I know get pulled aside by airport security. However, I can't help but wonder if she had been of a different ethnicity if the scenario would have played out differently. One minute they were convinced she was a terrorist, but then shortly after sent her on her way. In the post-9/11 world I have known, it has become glaringly clear that different ethnic groups are unfairly stereotyped often, due to their appearances solely. These four essays granted me a perspective that I never fully grasped on my own, because as a white female, racial profiling has never caused me grief like so many others.
The essays were interesting to read, as each author had a different take on national security and his or her role in it. Though all of the essays seemed to possess a certain disdain for unjust security measures, the authors recognize that the guarded tactics work to make America a safer place.
The essays also drew attention to the fear at the root of opposition to heightened security measures, a fear of the loss of personal freedom. In our society today, it seems that many are increasingly taking safety for granted in their struggle to maintain complete personal liberty. At this point our country needs to start recognizing that freedom cannot be relinquished without a cost, and thus, citizens need to accept that America needs to stay under watchful eyes, or pay a possibly hefty price.
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