Good article in Dawn

[Ravi]

http://www.dawn.com/weekly/mazdak/mazdak.htm

[SachhaDesi]

It is very balanced and soul searching. Hope all Pakistanis think the same way.

It is true that when a terroist activity happens in the US, the first suspect is middle eastern guys. I cant remember if it was the Oklahoma bombing or the Atlanta games, but within minutes of the incidence FBI held a guy at the airport who was travelling to a middle easter country on a one-way ticket. Turned out that the guy was innocent. But racial profiling of middle eastern and muslims as terroists and chinese as military secret sellers is possible.

A lot of indians think that their acts will not be noticed and that they could do whatever here. But when people see a common link, racial profiling begins. I have seen cubans and latinos in Miami being looked upon with certain characteristics and I am sure that in certain heavy desi "infested" areas such as chicago and NJ, same must be happening for desis. It is therefore very important that we desis also maintain a dignity and professionalism rather than make ourselves a victim of racial profiling. Go an extra mile to make sure that the restroom is clean after you have left or the counter is cleaned after the coffee has spilled. If someone drops something on floor, I make sure that I pick it up and throw it in the trash can right before him/her. Beacuse uncleanliness (unfortunately) is what all desis are profiled as.