The claim made by comedian Eric André of being racially harassed has got people talking online.
In a video shared on Instagram on Sunday, the host of “The Eric André Show” disclosed that he was racially profiled at Melbourne Airport when he was traveling from Los Angeles to Brisbane, Australia, for a shoot.
According to him, the incident happened after stopping in Melbourne—where he was “put in a special line” and “sniffed thoroughly by a dog.”
“It’s one of the many times I’ve been racially profiled at the airport.” “Please be careful,” he added by warning his followers flying through Melbourne.
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“They are searching Black, brown and Indigenous people,” the 41-year-old comedian alleged.
If he accepts to work in Australia again in the future, the Black and Jewish entertainer will seek a security escort through Melbourne Airport or his itinerary should allow him to avoid such checks.
“I do not feel safe in the Melbourne airport. I do not want to be humiliated or racially discriminated against anymore at these airports,” he averred.
“I don’t want to cut my hair and wear a three-piece suit so that I’m treated like a first-class citizen,” Eric André further stated in the video. “I shouldn’t be made to feel that I am unaccepted by entering a country.”
On the back of his allegation, a spokesperson for the airport told NBC News in a statement on Tuesday: “Melbourne Airport does not tolerate racism in any form. We welcome all passengers to Melbourne, and we expect everyone to be treated equally.”
The spokesperson also revealed that the Australian Border Force and the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF) were asked by the airport to investigate and that those agencies had responded to André.
A DAFF spokesperson also explained in a statement that all passengers arriving in Australia are “part of biosecurity screening processes for things such as fresh fruit or vegetables, plants and food, or soil on footwear or recreational equipment.”
The spokesperson emphasised that as part of the screening process, travelers might be subjected to baggage scans through X-rays or “be subject to individual inspections and unpacking of baggage, or by general screening with the assistance of our highly trained dogs.”
“Any traveler coming into Australia will experience some or all of these screening measures,” the spokesperson added.
André’s post on Instagram has gotten numerous comments. While some of his followers are siding with him, others commented that he got it all wrong.
A section of white people in the comments section revealed they had experienced such checks in the past.
@mayurgokhru commented: “I like you bro but honestly are you just upset because you were treated like a normal person and not a celebrity.”
@but.yeaa wrote: “I’m brown person living in Melbourne. I don’t see what is the issue being pulled aside for a random search. Could you please provide evidence that other ethnicities were not pulled aside?”
@lauren_fardell questioned: “So you was sniffed by a dog? That’s all?? Wtf man you are crying about.”
Another person to comment was @angus_illfield who wrote: “Do not haul our indigenous people into this. Don’t just throw around that they’re being targeted. Guess what, you’re not indigenous! As far as profiling? Australia has the strictest and most policed border entry of any country I’ve been through. Only once have I come through and not been searched. Coming home terrifies me every time and I’m as white as a lily. You weren’t profiled, you’re just a person.”
“Haha how is that traumatic getting sniffed by a dog. God you Yankees are sensitive. Not everything is about you. No you can’t just sue them for a general airport procedure 😂😂,” said @eatshopsleep.repeat.
@Senatorbriggs had an experience to share, “I go through melb international airport monthly, sometimes daily. Sometimes I get picked out, sometimes not. People in the line are all types.i would guess not racial profiling, but there is probably some sort of profiling going on, that’s normal. Could be based on frequency of flights for all you know. Aus is nothing like the usa. Definitely hearing traumatic past surfacing. Just let them do their job if there’s nothing to hide and get on with it.”
@flylowmi wrote: “I love how this comment sections filled with White People recounting similar incidents of when they didn’t experience racism. 😂”
@paolo_fitnesscoach controversially commented: “When you look like a drug addict, you get treated like a drug addict.”
@victor_faasuamaleaui shared his view by writing: “What exactly happened that got you upset? Being sniffed at by airport dogs? Being told to go in a separate line which can happen to almost anyone? What makes you say for sure that you were discriminated against? Also, if sniffer dogs were “80% – 90%” ineffective I’m pretty sure airports and law enforcement around the world would stop using them, yet here they are.”
@rose_vineshank_comedy reacted: “Oh stop crying ! It happens to all people. That’s what ” regular ” people have to deal with in the world, you nothing special. I guess they didn’t realize who you “think” you are bro.”
@rebekka.dabolina.paintings commented: “Eric, you are so loved and make laugh every day for years now. The same autism that makes me love your work so much is going to help me hyper focus on getting as much info as possible. I will be back in 1-2 hours with what I find. You deserve so much better and you are so in your power for naming and shaming them. It’s not for nothing and this is going to help people in your same situation.”
@jake.daniel031 told Eric: “it’s pretty standard for anyone to be pulled from a line up at an airport for the sniffer dogs. Claiming racism is a pretty bold accusation and unless you have proof, this is a pretty shit take.”
Also sharing his experience was @ dying_breed1986 who commented: “I’m a white guy and I was picked out. I didn’t make a video about it though.”
Feeling sorry for the comedian, @redblvuh wrote: “I’m so sorry that happened Eric. Melbourne is one of the most accepting states of all nationalities so I’m very pissed off and hurt that this happened to you. It’s not ok.”
