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Prejudice..
Please don't make this into a political thread, but I really need to rant about it.
While I was leaving Germany to England, the guy at the boarding pass check (a black guy the size of a wardrobe) gave me the special treatment: First he curtly told me to stand properly in front of him so he could see my face then he told me to take my hands off the counter, which I was leaning on. Then came the questions: Where are you from, where are you staying in the UK, why are you staying there, how long are you staying, how old are you, etc etc etc.. After he left me pass after an interrogation of 2 minutes, I looked back 5 seconds later and the next one (a blond German) had already passed.
Today at the airport after entering the departure lounge I had my passport controlled by a UK immigration officer. No big deal. A few metres away two men stopped me and asked me for my passport. I told them: "I just had it controlled by you colleague". One of them said: He's an immigration officer, we're from the police. Where are you from, where were you staying, why were you staying there, how long were you staying what's your profession, how old are you, what's your fathers profession, can I see your passport *minute long inspection*, etc etc etc.. After leaving me alone I looked back and many people passed without being even stopped.
So it's my arab appearance that's getting me the special treatment. I know that after the London bombings they have a right to be sceptical, but do they REALLY have to leave everyone in peace but give those with black hair and light brown skin a hard time?
It's not right. And I think you all agree with me. Ramble's over
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Re: Prejudice..
7/27/2005 9:34 PM
ELLIOTT Q. GOMEZ (14024) wrote:
Bro from the Pyramids,
How many times do I have to tell you NOT to wear the "Don't Ask me I'm just the Bassist" t-shirt?!?!?!?!
I get the same treatment everywhere I go when I use my UglyBassPlayer gear. I bet they were either guitarists or drummers!!!!
;^}
On a more serious note, although I am not of the same nationality of any of those "gentlemen" I do apologize for their disrespectful and biased thoughts. But bro, remember this . . . I am an American Soldier and I do consider you my brother!!!
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Re: Prejudice..
7/28/2005 7:39 AM
Vernon Mander (19434) wrote:
Ahmed,Bro,I feel very sad that this sort of thing is going on and with what you are having to endure,the looks,the whispers,all the hassles etc.
But I hope it will not put you off from visiting us again,hopefully in more peacefull times.
Vern.
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Re: Prejudice..
7/28/2005 7:55 AM
Liam Ca (12164) wrote:
I understand completely what you're saying Ahmed mate, BUT you've got to understand that everyone in the U.K at the moment has been taken in by a whole new type of Terrorism in this country. Prejudice has become widespead...a local Mosque near me was burnt down right after the 7th of July bombs.
At the end of the day, prejudice is ignorance. More to the point, it's fear of what people can't understand or consider to be out of place. To be honest, I wouldn't rate people like that. They are the ones that will never understand. We're not all like this in the U.K right now...infact the bombings in London have brought us all closer and closer to the Muslim Community, as we stand together and bear the brunt of whatever these terrorists wish to achieve.
Have a safe trip home mate
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Re: Prejudice..
7/28/2005 8:04 AM
Benny Collins (1586) wrote:
Hey Ahmed,
That sucks - I guess it's the sad reality of the times that people of your ethnicity are going to experience harsher treatment at the hands the British authorities. Courtesy costs nothing, however - that first guy could at least have been polite! I hope the rest of your trip was a pleasant one and you enjoyed our country.
If it's any consolation (which I doubt it is), if you were to go back 10 years or so you would probably have had the same kind of treatment for holding an Irish passport. You're not the first group to be targetted in this way, and I very much doubt you will be the last.
Benny
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Re: Prejudice..
7/28/2005 8:28 AM
Michael Holzammer (24135) wrote:
This really sucks! However, don't take it personally. The British authorities may overreact a bit after those terrorist attacks.
I hope your rest of your trip home was more pleasant!
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Re: Prejudice..
7/28/2005 9:00 AM
Inactive Member wrote:
I got the same treatment when I visited Russia when I was 15. except there werent no huge black man there were four soldiers with Kalashnikovs and rubber rods and one huge dog.
Havent been there since.
I know it aint fun for young lad (not that it would get more comfy with age).
Im sorry everyones have to suffer because of terrorism. =(
-V
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Re: Prejudice..
7/28/2005 11:50 AM
Inactive Member wrote:
Oh, I forgot to mention that last weekend when we took a domestic flight from Helsinki to Ivalo on our gig trip to Norway. Our singer Maya had these small plastic handcuffs hanging on her waist they were "thumb" size and the clerk made her give them away. It was kind of ridicullous.
-V
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Re: Prejudice..
7/28/2005 12:26 PM
Inactive Member wrote:
It was first time when Russians allowed my grandparents to visit the areas that used to be their home (we lost part of land in WWII to Russia earlier CCCP). And of course they took whole family with them to check their homeplaces. It was about -92 or something like that.
-V
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