I was only five years old when the 9/11 incident occurred, so I can't recall much about national security measures prior to the attack. As I have grown up though I have seen how over the years more restrictions are placed on one in airport settings. When you travel by plane now you can't bring a bottle of water or a container oflotion, nor can you walk all the way to the gate to say goodbye to a loved one. Today you have to arrive hours prior to a flight to leave time to travel through full-body scanners and be subjected to being pat-down. Innocent persons are questioned like criminals because of their race rather than behavior. These increased security measures are controversial and cause people to question whether or not it is okay.
The essays read in class have given me a new perspective on these issues in our "post- 9/11" world. While national security becomes increasingly important, racial profiling has become a more normal occurrence. Which should triumph, and in what situations? I believe that individual rights are of course very important, yet there are times when they should not necessarily be guaranteed. When the safety of a nation is at risk, certain precautions must be taken. As unfair and inconvenient as racial profiling may be, it is worth it in the end. If taking away an individual's rights prevents harm to a larger group of people than it is justifiable and an act that should be continued.
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