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1 Dec, 2013

Sethi: The Sikh American air travel “security” humiliation continues

Arjun Sethi is a lawyer in Washington.

A few weeks ago, I headed to the airport for a flight from Washington to Boston. When I arrived, I began a familiar routine. I scanned the flight schedule board, checked in my bag and headed to security. There, I removed my jacket, scarf, shoes and belt. A Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officer motioned me to walk forward. I stepped not too fast, not too slowly and without a beep.

I passed the test — or so I thought. Almost immediately, the officer directed me to the corner, where another officer and an army of machines waited.

I was about to undergo secondary screening. Why? Because I wear a turban. For Sikh Americans, humiliation is a prerequisite to air travel.

Read the rest: Sethi_ The Sikh American humiliation continues