It's more or less just base rate fallacy - We live in predominantly white countries. There are simply a lot more white people that cross the border from the US to Canada (or into/out of either country individually) than any other demographic. Even if their probability of being involved in something nefarious is lower per person (which is an argument for another time. The point is that white people are capable of evil) there are -so many- of them that the raw number of villains will still be higher.
Border guards are human, and thus their 'instincts' for the job will be subject to their own biasses/stereotypes/imprints from fear mongering and/or sensational media. Left to their own devices they're going to ignore the above and focus on 'scary' demographics without even realizing it. It's a very human thing to do.
Someone upstairs knows this and requires border guards to check a certain raw percentage of 'less scary' demographics to try to keep cherrypicking down below the level where it actually compromises security.
Basically, "Why am I being hassled at the border? I'm White." is exactly the sort of attitude these regulations are in place to guard against.
It's also a check against someone exploiting those very human weaknesses. If they didn't check white people then almost all (successful, which is the worst kind) criminals and terrorists would soon be white people. Likewise for the elderly, military personnel, elected officials, children, the handicapped, law enforcement, or anyone else you care to name. Criminal enterprise is wonderfully adaptable.
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branchandroot
no subject
Date: 2010-03-30 01:54 am (UTC)Border guards are human, and thus their 'instincts' for the job will be subject to their own biasses/stereotypes/imprints from fear mongering and/or sensational media. Left to their own devices they're going to ignore the above and focus on 'scary' demographics without even realizing it. It's a very human thing to do.
Someone upstairs knows this and requires border guards to check a certain raw percentage of 'less scary' demographics to try to keep cherrypicking down below the level where it actually compromises security.
Basically, "Why am I being hassled at the border? I'm White." is exactly the sort of attitude these regulations are in place to guard against.
It's also a check against someone exploiting those very human weaknesses. If they didn't check white people then almost all (successful, which is the worst kind) criminals and terrorists would soon be white people. Likewise for the elderly, military personnel, elected officials, children, the handicapped, law enforcement, or anyone else you care to name. Criminal enterprise is wonderfully adaptable.