The supposed randomness of the act of surveillance perpetuates the false notion that security is colorblind. The experiences of Muslim women in this sample contradict the notion that these searches are random, confirming that it is a form of profiling guided by a racialized understanding of religious identity. Its appearance of ambiguity supports the myth that in a democratic society, no one is treated unfairly due to the color of one's skin or one's religious identity. Yet Muslim women who wear the hijab are routinely subjected to stops and searches, revealing the bias toward Muslims in this practice. The notion of the randomness of these stops and searches works to dismiss claims of racial injustice by Muslim Americans. Consequently, most of the participants admitted they did not complain to a TSA agent but instead endured the humiliation of being singled out.

XREF: Connects to broader literature on colorblindness myth and how procedural rhetoric legitimizes discrimination.

Saher Selod, Forever Suspect_ Racialized…, loc. 223