Justified or Racial Profiling? Arab Passengers After September 11th

After the September 11th terrorist attacks, many Arab Americans were discriminated against by airline employees and passengers. Many people did not feel comfortable or safe flying with anyone who appeared to be Arab.

Do you think this treatment of Middle Eastern/Arab/Muslim Americans was justified by the legitimate concerns over air safety? Why? How does treating this group of travelers differently compare with racial profiling of African Americans? How can community policing strategies be used effectively to promote trust among Middle Eastern/Arab/Muslim American communities?