Inside I am absolutely fuming. I try my best not to let it show but
I can feel the stiffening anger moving to my face. Chest puffed, the female border security officer at Emerson, Canada barks, “No, you walk with us now.” This is no more than 10 seconds after the order to get in the car and drive through to the vehicle search area some 30 meters away. Men with badged shirts, expressionless, disciplined demeanours standby. Can’t they see this? Or is this how they woudl treat me too? The car is searched, our belongings thrown around, and we are abruptly and disrespectfully quizzed.
This is the first time I have been targeted like this when travelling. Why now? Because I’m travelling with a black man? Because he has dreadlocks? I have to pinch myself, this is twice in the one day – simply too coincidental.
The planned day trip to Grand Forks in the U.S. didn’t get off to a good start (wrong turn aside.) After a quick finger print scan of my right hand fingers in the US border security Toltoi crossing, I was done. As an inconspicuous white woman my finger prints didn’t seem to matter. Sadly, not the same can be said for Richard. Holiday makers, freight trucks and camper vans are waved through with a flash of th epassport as we look on with envy. Systems are “looked up”, phone calls are made and finger prints scanned. And re-scanned again and again- a total of four times.
As the frustrating two hour hold up- mess up- concludes, we are presented with a bill for US$12 for the VISAs. A phony American style “have a great day,” as I take my change has me reeling. I bite my tongue remembering my earlier words as our frustrations grew; “It’s a game, just play along and we’ll be out of here sooner…”
I tried to justify the first incident as we drove off. Down to a racist individual and a poor tech system preventing him from working his machines effectively. I clearly had too much faith in humanity and our progress on fighting racism and stereotypes. I bit my tongue as we sadly had to “played the game” again on our retun crossing.
There is no denying that the security/border protection type jobs often attract people hungry for power and a desire to exert some authority. I am embarrassed for the people managing US/Canadian border security. There is something very wrong with the system, attitudes and use of outdated streotypes to select ones targets.
Have you had a similar experience? Or a positive one to renew my faith?
Your local want-to-be Adventurer, Georgia
{ 3 comments… read them below or add one }
Ahh good ol’ racial profiling. I don’t have a personal story but I know of Middle Eastern friends who are given a hard time back home in Australia whether its by the police or by Customs etc.
I think the most important thing in dismantling racism is addressing that there is an issue and continuous education.
Couldn’t agree more Lynn. I can imagine the ad reality for your middle Easters freinds. In the present climate, I am glad I don’t have an Arab sounding name…. G
I had EXACTLY the same experience crossing into the US (near Washington) from Canada and then again from Mexico back into the US. They held us up for about 1.5hrs. After “throwing” all of our belongings out of our … See Moretruck and onto the pavement (which we of course had to repack) they found a knife in our possession – which we had been using for – shock/horror – camping/eating etc etc. We were obviously travelling folk but they couldn’t be rude enough. It was definately a power thing for the border control that I came across.
I just hope you are having a fabulous time! xoxoxo