Rami Malek Recalls Getting ‘Thrown’ On the Hood of a Cop Car in Racial Profiling Incident

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In more straightforward terms: The award-winning actor Rami Malek, famous for his role in ‘Mr. Robot’, has shared an experience where he felt racially targeted by the LAPD (Los Angeles Police Department). He claims this was because of his Egyptian background.

During a chat with The Guardian, Malek opened up about a past experience where he was wrongfully suspected of robbery. This incident has left a deep mark on him.

Malek explained that he was placed on the bonnet of a police vehicle, as officers asserted he resembled the description of a robbery suspect at a liquor store. “They stated that the thief was of Latin origin and you match the description,” he recounted. He distinctly remembered the scorching heat from the car’s engine searing his hands as he clung to it.

At that moment, the actor was accompanied by a friend. This friend, who happened to be Caucasian, smartly intervened and clarified the actor’s ethnicity, saying, “In fact, sir, he is Egyptian, not Latin.” Even though the correction was made, Malek confessed to feeling extremely uncomfortable, chuckling awkwardly while recognizing the gravity of the situation.

In addition to this incident, Malek encountered other situations where he felt the impact of racial bias. Recalling his childhood in Los Angeles, he discussed the intricacies of defining his identity as an Egyptian-American. “I’m often categorized as ‘white passing,’ but I have distinct features that set me apart,” he explained, detailing the hurdles his immigrant family encountered.

The examination he faced in his adulthood, particularly during his travels, was often intensified because of his name and past, which frequently triggered additional scrutiny at airport security checks. However, Malek jokingly mentioned that his celebrity status has helped alleviate some of those tensions to a certain extent. “These days,” he said, “they might pause for a moment, but then they’ll often think, ‘That’s the guy from Bohemian Rhapsody. Let him pass.’

This disclosure provides insight into the wider problem of racial bias that continues to affect numerous individuals in contemporary society. Malek’s open revelations provide a peek into his private hardships, underscoring the significance of continuous discussions surrounding race and self-identity.

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2025-01-20 10:13