Israeli Security Forces Black Performer To Dance!

[Better Believe It]

Israeli security forces black performer to dance
Associated Press
September 9, 2008

JERUSALEM - A performer with the famed Alvin Ailey dance troupe on Tuesday said he was twice forced to perform steps for Israeli airport security officers to prove his identity before he was permitted to enter the country.

Abdur-Rahim Jackson, an eight-year veteran of the dance ensemble, said he was singled out by Israel’s renowned airport security because he has a Muslim name. He called the experience embarrassing and said at one point, one of the officers even suggested he change his name.

“To be greeted like this because of my name, it took me back a little bit,” said Jackson, who is black.

Israel is the first stop on a six-nation tour celebrating the New York-based dance company’s 50th anniversary. Earlier this year, Congress passed a resolution calling the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater a “vital American cultural ambassador to the world.”

This is outrageous! Please read the entire article at:

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/26623540

[Ian David]

1. Just like Gregory Hines in History of The World Part I? n/t

[no_hypocrisy]

2. That's a new twist on racial profiling.

Tell me this was found on The Onion.

[Lance_Boyle]

3. He should have told them to do his taxes first. n/t

[PDJane]

4. It's not the first time.

The Israelis have done some outrageous things to passengers coming into and leaving the country...especially if they don't want you to come back, or if you visit Palestine.

For instance:

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2004/nov/29/israel

[AspenRose]

5. And the only other place something similar has happened to him

is here in the U.S.

Surprise, surprise :sarcasm:


x(

[provis99]

6. so the guy has to play Stepin Fetchit to entertain these assholes?

well, it could have been worse. They could have assumed he was Palestinian, and shot him dead.