We were at the Dunedin airport, on our way back to Auckland, after attending a conference on the theme: Space Race and Bodies. One of the academics at the conference presented a paper on racial profiling at airport security checks and the subsequent body frisking. In fact, the academic of African origin mentioned being subjected to the same when she entered New Zealand just a couple of days ago. This is a worldwide phenomenon, experienced the moment the authorities realise you are from a 'foreign land'.

And we were discussing exactly this particular paper as we made our way towards security check at Dunedin airport. I was with a couple of colleagues, both of local origin. But, as expected, I was stopped at the security check. It was because my denim pants have a metal plate - the brand tag on the waist band. So there I was standing with my hands up, asked to turn and twist in different directions and lift up my shirt several times so that the metal tag could be examined.

What made me uncomfortable was the scrutiny of a male pair of eyes in full public view of a busy airport (security check was being carried out for two flights at that time). If you need to examine my clothes, I would rather you do that in an enclosed space. Although I doubt the other travellers had any interest in what was going on, I felt conscious of their ‘casual’ glances in my direction.

By this time, my Kiwi colleagues had safely moved on and made their way towards the boarding gate.

I reiterate that this is not specific to Dunedin or NZ, but is a worldwide phenomenon. While being subjected to the ‘mandatory’ security check, the conference presenter's entire paper came back to me and made me wonder why is it the way it is?

Is this an impact of xenophobia? Is it that I was dressed incorrectly? Perhaps I should have been careful about not wearing a pair of denims that had a metal tag - lack of insight on my part. Or that the airport staff do randomly pick up travellers for inspection and I happen to be the chosen one that day.

Whatever the rationale, there has to be some form of standardisation. It should not be so random that it ticks off all the boxes to a stereotype. If at all, I told myself that at least I don’t have a name that would raise security speculation.