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William always scanned the airports and airplanes for little brown guys who reeked of fundamentalism. That meant William was equally afraid of Osama bin Laden and Jerry Falwell wearing the last vestiges of a summer tan. William himself was a little brown guy, so the other travelers were always sniffing around him, but he smelled only of Dove soap, Mennen deoderant, and sarcasm.

Sherman Alexie#13

IdentityFearRacismSuspicionTravel

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About this quote

What does it mean?
William, a South Asian man, recognizes how racial profiling makes him a target of suspicion while he simultaneously fears extremism from all directions.
In plain terms
As a brown man, William is watched by others but he too worries about fundamentalism from any source.
What can you take from it?
Prejudice cuts both ways and makes everyone feel watched.

Where it applies

  • air travel
  • public spaces
  • diverse communities

Putting it to work

  • recognize mutual suspicion
  • question profiling practices
  • build empathy across groups

Questions to consider

  • When do you feel watched in public?
  • How might others judge you by sight?

Another view

The quote relies on generalizations about appearance and smell that may reinforce stereotypes.

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