Lily Allen: ‘I’m a US customs target’

[MrsDark]

Originally Posted by Picara

When you write about minorities being raised to hate Whitey, that's racist. .

I'm probably going to regret jumping in here....but is it some way Mira is presenting this along with the latino comments that bothers you and makes you sure she is a racist, or the just fact that she said this at all?

The reason I was asking was because I wondered that if a person (me, not Mira) has actually witnessed with their own eyes and ears examples of people being raised/taught to hate 'whitey' am I a racist if I mention it? I don't know you or Mira...not here to take sides...and rarely to never do PMs, just wondering how you saw this as 'racism'.

When people are treated shittily who happen to be white, it has happened to them more than once, and the people in question happen to be some sort of minority, isn't that racism? (or some kind of ''ism'?) or have they just correctly used some powers of perception to suss out the white racist in their midst and treat them accordingly?

Never had any problems myself when traveling. But I consider myself lucky based on how I've seen others treated. Maybe this Lily Allen chick is just a cunty, demanding celeb who invites shit for all I know. But that doesn't change what other people have experienced. Can we just give someone the benefit of doubt that they're telling the truth about their experiences since we weren't there?

[Picara]

I'm probably going to regret jumping in here....but is it some way Mira is presenting this along with the latino comments that bothers you and makes you sure she is a racist, or the just fact that she said this at all?

The reason I was asking was because I wondered that if a person (me, not Mira) has actually witnessed with their own eyes and ears examples of people being raised/taught to hate 'whitey' am I a racist if I mention it? I don't know you or Mira...not here to take sides...and rarely to never do PMs, just wondering how you saw this as 'racism'.

If that comment were the only one, I probably wouldn't have bothered to reply to her ramblings. But if you read the others that I bolded, then yes, I believe she has a racist attitude. I'm sure there are cases of people being taught to hate "Whitey" but do you agree, that in combination, her comments smack of racism? I find it hard to believe that every hispanic man who sees Mira becomes instantly angry. I also find it hard to believe that the reason Mira has problems with customs agents is because they're jealous that she's white. So the comment about "Whitey" in combination with the others, is racist, imo. I was responding to her posts in totality. No doubt the comment you have singled out could be and is true in instances.

I'm done.

[MrsDark]

Racism is a pretty serious accusation to be throwing out there. I read it as things she had experienced and how it made her feel. We wouldn't discount those feelings if she were a minority. Why should we because she is white? Racism unfortunately goes both ways.

Maybe I missed something but I never read anything that included everyone of hispanic origin, just ones encountered in specific circumstances.

Actually, my FIL works airport security, so I have another perspective here if anyone's curious about that!

[xoxo]

Originally Posted by MrsDark

Actually, my FIL works airport security, so I have another perspective here if anyone's curious about that!

actually mrs. dark..i am very curious about that..if you don't mind elaborating..i have never known anyone who's worked in airport security board..i am from india but born/raised in southern california..i am often mistaken for being middle eastern, so that's fun when traveling lol...does your FIL perform those random person and luggage searches..? aside from race, how exactly do they determine who they will search...sometimes when i see the group of people pulled aside for searching..some of the search-ees make sense..others don't at all...and does your FIL like his job also btw..?...i would think it's pretty high-stress these days..if they 'miss' someone who later poses a problem, i'm guessing they are held responsible...

sorry for all the questions..don't answer if they are too much hehe..i am just really curious lol

[lalala]

I've read an article on UK customs where they said that one screening technique they had was to systematically control people with a certain type of shoes, I think it was loafers with a little fringe on top (which are not only suspicious but also highly ridiculous IMO)

[MrsDark]

My FIL swears the pull-outs are random, with a little counter thingy that determines this. People who do his job do deal with a certain amount of...irritation...from passengers, and according to him for the most part they certainly aren't looking for a reason to give anyone shit unnecessarily. But that's his life at the airport here in Memphis. I know he did have to pass quite a few levels of testing when applying for this job, including a psych. He was a Vietnam vet retired from a previous job and one of his peers who was applying at the same time didn't make it past one of those rounds of testing, for what reason he knows not.

Oh yeah, another interesting thing. We fly about 3-4 times a year and since he is usually working on the days we're departing/arriving we'll give him our flight# because technically he is not allowed to work the line that we would be passing through. It's never happened that he was, but just in case, he would have to be moved elsewhere. He'll usually take a break to come see us off, but that's after we've been cleared thru the security gate to the other side.

[pacific breeze]

Originally Posted by ChangingEventually

That proved to me how ignorant you are. You completely disregarded my post to you telling you that it differs in different situations. Now I KNOW what I'm dealing with.

Oh, and by the way, I wasn't mentioning the PM's as back up because certain people don't want to be mentioned and I definitely won't mention them. I was just informing you that I'm not the only one who thought you were an ignorant person who put herself above others. I don't have much experience with you, but they do. And it just proves my theory. Just felt like mentioning that.

This is a classic ploy -- you can't defend your position, so you attack me personally, and enlist "unnamed" others to justify it. I told you what happened at LAX, and your immediate response was to insist that somehow my husband and I were responsible for how badly we were treated. I am happy to pull the quotes in case you've forgotten how nasty and accusing you were to someone who has never responded to even ONE of your posts before. It really took me by surprise. Normally I would ignore it, but the fact that a complete stranger would be so hostile for absolutely no reason is a bit weird.

Maybe when you get out of high school and travel out from under the protective umbrella of your parents, you will realize that "bad vibes" is not the only reason travellers are treated unfairly. Until then, I think you have quite a lot of work to do on your own obviously hostile attitude to anybody who doesn't endorse your experiences. Just because something has never happened to you, doesn't mean that the people who do have it happen to them deserve it.

[xoxo]

Originally Posted by MrsDark

My FIL swears the pull-outs are random, with a little counter thingy that determines this. People who do his job do deal with a certain amount of...irritation...from passengers, and according to him for the most part they certainly aren't looking for a reason to give anyone shit unnecessarily. But that's his life at the airport here in Memphis. I know he did have to pass quite a few levels of testing when applying for this job, including a psych. He was a Vietnam vet retired from a previous job and one of his peers who was applying at the same time didn't make it past one of those rounds of testing, for what reason he knows not.

that is really interesting..thx for your response..so aside from obvious suspects i guess the pull-outs really are random then, if they use a counter..i've always wondered that, but never wanted to ask and make a fuss when i'm already someone they're singling out due to my ethnic appearance lol..

Originally Posted by MrsDark

Oh yeah, another interesting thing. We fly about 3-4 times a year and since he is usually working on the days we're departing/arriving we'll give him our flight# because technically he is not allowed to work the line that we would be passing through. It's never happened that he was, but just in case, he would have to be moved elsewhere. He'll usually take a break to come see us off, but that's after we've been cleared thru the security gate to the other side.

right, it makes sense they would not want someone working in the same line that their family is passing through..

[Novice]

I wonder if this has something to do with Lily Allen getting searched? Maybe next time she'll think before she opens her mouth? (I'd like her to think each time before she opens her mouth but I guess it's not gonna happen......) Just like Khama Cause&Effect will get you every time!



12th July 2006 07:26:10
Lilly Allen Celebrates Number One With Cocaine.... British singing sensation Lily Allen

told journalists she would celebrate securing the number one spot on the UK singles chart on Sunday (09Jul06) by taking cocaine..
The 21-year-old, whose debut release Smile is Britain's biggest selling track, is outspoken about her drug experiences and took her first ecstasy tablet aged just 13. When asked by reporters what she would do after learning the triumphant news, Allen replied "Gak", which is a British slang term for cocaine.
Although she backtracked and said she was only joking, it was clear listening journalists were shocked, according to British newspaper The Sun.

[Elvira]

^^ and she wonders why. This is the way she goes through US customs.

[Picara]

Originally Posted by Novice

I wonder if this has something to do with Lily Allen getting searched? Maybe next time she'll think before she opens her mouth? (I'd like her to think each time before she opens her mouth but I guess it's not gonna happen......) Just like Khama Cause&Effect will get you every time!



12th July 2006 07:26:10
Lilly Allen Celebrates Number One With Cocaine.... British singing sensation Lily Allen

told journalists she would celebrate securing the number one spot on the UK singles chart on Sunday (09Jul06) by taking cocaine..
The 21-year-old, whose debut release Smile is Britain's biggest selling track, is outspoken about her drug experiences and took her first ecstasy tablet aged just 13. When asked by reporters what she would do after learning the triumphant news, Allen replied "Gak", which is a British slang term for cocaine.
Although she backtracked and said she was only joking, it was clear listening journalists were shocked, according to British newspaper The Sun.

She's only 21? Wow. I saw her on SNL and she looked much older. She also looked heavily pregnant, but it turns out it was just the dress. I like her first song. It was quite catchy.

[pinklilycat]

Noooooo, don't be telling Lily to think before she speaks - it's truly refreshing the shit she heaps onto other celebs! I don't think there's anyone who that girl won't slag off! She may be obnoxious but it sure beats listening to all the other ass-kissers out there!!

[DeChayz]

Strangely enough, it's always our strawberry blonde, blue-eyed friend who gets stopped when we travel, while our Indian friend (who, like you XO, is always ignorantly mistaken for Middle Eastern) is allowed to sail right on through...

[xoxo]

Originally Posted by DeChayz

Strangely enough, it's always our strawberry blonde, blue-eyed friend who gets stopped when we travel, while our Indian friend (who, like you XO, is always ignorantly mistaken for Middle Eastern) is allowed to sail right on through...

that's really funny dechayz...it must be different for people in different places..i have a sense of humor about these things lol, i think..i grew up in los angeles and there's all kinds of people and all kinds of misconceptions and some of the things that happen are so hilarious hehe

[Elise]

Ehh, the customs & airport people are pretty cranky in general, but I think I would be too if I had their job.