--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Before September 11, the skinny, jittery…" description: "\"“Before September 11, the skinny, jittery black guy made security think one thing: drug mule. But after the attacks, security only cared about bombs. S..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/749/victor-lavalle-9013_cybersecurity_before-september-11-the-skinny-jittery-b_1431696.jpg" --- # Before September 11, the skinny, jittery black guy made… ![“Before September 11, the skinny, jittery black guy made security think one thing: drug mule. But after the attacks, security only cared about bombs. So it was the Arab guys, the Puerto Ricans and Indians, even white men, that got searched. I was too dark to make people worry on a plane. Still…” quote by Victor LaValle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/749/victor-lavalle-9013_cybersecurity_before-september-11-the-skinny-jittery-b_1431696.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/749/victor-lavalle-9013_cybersecurity_before-september-11-the-skinny-jittery-b_1431696.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/749/victor-lavalle-9013_cybersecurity_before-september-11-the-skinny-jittery-b_1431696.jpg) > ““Before September 11, the skinny, jittery black guy made security think one thing: drug mule. But after the attacks, security only cared about bombs. So it was the Arab guys, the Puerto Ricans and Indians, even white men, that got searched. I was too dark to make people worry on a plane. Still caused fear in elevators.”” [Victor LaValle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/victor-lavalle/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Security profiling shifted focus after 9/11, expanding beyond racial stereotypes but still targeting minorities. **In simple terms:** Security changed its focus after 9/11, still targeting minorities. Key Takeaway Recognize and challenge profiling. Themes security stereotyping race policy Mood critical concerned Type social commentary personal narrative When to use this quote - airport screening - public spaces - law enforcement Key Concepts bias surveillance civil liberties Questions to Reflect On - How does bias affect safety? - What can individuals do to reduce profiling? A Different Perspective Profiling can be inconsistent and may miss actual threats. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Caused Fear](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/caused-fear-741109/) [Cybersecurity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/cybersecurity/) [Darkness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/darkness/) [Got Searched](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/got-searched-5099466/) [Security Cared](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/security-cared-5099465/) [Security Think](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/security-think-2674642/) [September 11](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/september-11/) ## Related quotes > [Security is very difficult. 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