Racial Profiling In Sherman Alexie's Flight Patterns

It goes without saying racism is one of the most important issues today. Considering the distressing events of the 9/11 Terrorist Attacks, the impact is widespread. Security measures increased, people took more precautions on air travel, and racial stereotyping began to become more aggressive. Sherman Alexie illustrates this internal fear society all has. He defines the idea of racial profiling and calling out on stereotypes. "Flight Patterns" details on equally the social and ethical issues in which people face within the 21st Century. It reveals how racial prejudice became more prevalent after the harsh events of the 9/11 terrorist attacks.

The story introduces us to William, a Compulsive Workaholic with an extensive knowledge of American

Although William is a man of color, he portrays paranoia and hesitation with other minorities. In the scene where he is introduced to Frekadu. Upon looking at his physical features, William sees a long scar on the back of his neck, considering he was “a black man with a violent history”. And follows up with this statement with the ironic twist about “Excuse me sir, but I pulled you over because your scar doesn’t belong in this neighborhood”.

Even though in today’s standards William would not be considered to belong in a middle-class neighborhood. In addition to this observation, the two men discuss the contradiction in the argument about racism and that minorities are just as prevalent to labeling people based on their outward appearance. This is prominent in Williams character, showing this racial labeling even though he is a man of color

When on the topic with his daughter about the fear of flying, he tries to brush off the fear and forget about it. Although on the other hand he said he “scanned the airports and airplanes for little brown guys who reeked of fundamentalism”. To which he’s looking for the same stereotypical Middle easterner man who is viewed as a terrorist. William Himself states that many people can often confuse him for “A long haired Mexican” Although he has experienced racial profiling, he is guilty of doing the same to others. Such as when the Taxi-driver asks what his race is and respond that his not is the “The jewel on the Forehead” type of Indian but rather the “Bows and Arrows” type of Indian. On the topic of Frekadu, He tells William about how people often refer to him as African American as seen as people ask him to Rap or Hip-Hop, even though he is a Muslim from Ethiopia. This shows how much different the characters are to one another, even those they face a similar