Norm Mineta is acting the way in which he was taught to behave by the way he was treated. History, writ large and small, informs our behavior.

Think about all the people who "look Arabic", and no one else, being singled out and treated the way Norm Mineta was treated as a child. Think about how sympathetic and co-operative they will be knowing that they are viewed as the devil incarnate because of their complexions and bone structures. Think about how this will improve the nation as a whole. History, personal history, will inform their behavior.

Think about the nutball in the midwest bombing mailboxes unhindered because he "didn't look like" a mad bomber. History informed the behavior of all the police that pulled him over for traffic violations.

Now think about Peggy Noonan, and all those other passengers, looking the other way when the elderly couple was being embarrassed and inconvenienced. Do you think it would be easier to look the other way if the person were young, male, and "Arab-looking"? It sure would for a blonde. Only when the embarrassment, the inconvenience, the threat, is happening to someone like ourselves do we feel a twinge. The easiest way to make sure we feel some sympathy for the "others" is to make sure some of "us" are included in their experience. Then we all become "us", bearing the burden of increased vigilance together.

On another front, someone needs to teach airport security a little finesse and respect, though I guess you get what you pay for in the finesse and respect department, same as everywhere else.

I'm not sure that illustrating the point being made by Arab militants ("The West hates Arabs") by treating those of Arab appearance as though we hate and fear them is a way to influence the personal history of Arab peoples in a positive way. It could just make more enemies.

At the very least, it will produce many, many Arab versions of Norm Mineta.

Regards--
Mary Anne