It's Time to Boycott Arizona

[Soon]

As a privileged (middle class, educated) white woman, I am even hassled at the USA border to go into your country to visit my husband. Oh my, the things they ask just to make sure I am not going to steal all of the USA's precious benefits and stay illegally. (He does not have the same level of interrogation--by any means--when crossing into Canada).

I cannot imagine what it would be like just to be targeted (once I am allowed admittance) to show papers based on my skin colour (going out to dinner/movies whatever!)...and that IS what would happen if I wasn't white. If my husband lived in Arizona, and I wasn't white, they could possibly stop me and ask for my papers solely based on my appearance and detain me until it was determined that I was not there illegally.


And, when I do visit, no, I do not carry documentation at all times. I cannot imagine the fear of people (visitors, residents, citizens!) who are not white who MUST carry the proper documents at ALL TIMES!

[Jess]

Originally Posted by HowSoonIsNow

As a privileged (middle class, educated) white woman, I am even hassled at the USA border to go into your country to visit my husband. Oh my, the things they ask just to make sure I am not going to steal all of the USA's precious benefits and stay illegally. (He does not have the same level of interrogation--by any means--when crossing into Canada).

I cannot imagine what it would be like just to be targeted (once I am allowed admittance) to show papers based on my skin colour (going out to dinner/movies whatever!)...and that IS what would happen if I wasn't white. If my husband lived in Arizona, and I wasn't white, they could possibly stop me and ask for my papers solely based on my appearance and detain me until it was determined that I was not there illegally.


And, when I do visit, no, I do not carry documentation at all times. I cannot imagine the fear of people who are not white who MUST carry the proper documents at ALL TIMES!

"at the border" is the big difference...

[Soon]

Originally Posted by Jess

"at the border" is the big difference...

Yes, but let's imagine that, once I am passed the border (after the fuckery I experience which is more often than not), and let's imagine my skin colour is not white and my hair is not blonde (which I am sure if it wasn't, the fuckery I experience would be tenfold or more), I would be terrified to not have my papers on me if he resided in Arizona.

As it is, I don't even give a thought to not having ID on me when visiting, but now I am giving it a second thought.

My point is, that, whether a resident, citizen, or visitor, the people who WILL BE targeted are NOT white and do NOT look like me. I would never be asked for papers of residency in that State b/c I don't look like the profile of an illegal resident. But, they say, profiling this is not? And, from what I understand, profiling based on race is illegal?