The young man claims he was pulled aside by airport security for additional screening because his stuttering made him sound nervous to the agent. “I was walking through the airport, that’s usual. I was going through TSA. The gate person said, ‘Where you headed?’ I said, ‘I’m going to Florida.’ He said, ‘Are you sure about that? You seem kinda nervous.’ I said, ‘No, I just stutter sometimes.’ He said, ‘I need to take you this way for an extra pat-down.’ Is that discrimination? I’m not sure but it didn’t make my day. Just another day in the life.” the young actor said about the incident.
The young actor from New York City, Marc Winski, was flying to Florida when he was pulled aside by airport security because he has a stutter, the New York Post reports.
Winski shared his story on his social media account.
In the video, the young actor reportedly said that he ‘got detained at the airport because of stuttering.’
Marc Winski said in the video:
“I was walking through the airport, that’s usual. I was going through TSA. The gate person said, ‘Where you headed?’ I said, ‘I’m going to Florida.’ He said, ‘Are you sure about that? You seem kinda nervous.’ I said, ‘No, I just stutter sometimes.’
He said, ‘I need to take you this way for an extra pat-down.’ Is that discrimination? I’m not sure but it didn’t make my day. Just another day in the life.”
The young actor told the New York Post that there are so many misconceptions about stuttering and he would like more education, awareness, and representation about this topic. “It’s OK to stutter and every voice matters.” Winski reportedly said.
Many social media users described the incident as discriminatory.
One user reportedly wrote: “Definitely discrimination. I have faced prejudice all my life and I let it run my life because of my speech. Keep spreading awareness.”
Another user reportedly wrote: “Yes it is! You have a speech condition that’s completely valid and if they singled you out because of it.”
Carter Langston, the TSA press secretary, reportedly told the New York Post that the agency has seen the video and has requested additional information about the incident.
According to NYP, Carter Langston released the following statement:
“There have been no complaints filed with TSA regarding this incident, and we do not know what airport or when this was alleged to have occurred. When more information is available or a complaint is filed, TSA headquarters will launch a review of the incident in question and will not comment on this specific event until the review is completed.
Depending on the situation, the internal review may lead to additional training or changes to screening processes. We take all traveller allegations about our security checkpoint screening processes seriously and are committed to ensuring every traveller is treated respectfully and courteously.
While at the checkpoint, those travellers who need assistance or have concerns or questions may request to speak with a supervisor or ask for a passenger support specialist.”
@marcwinski The things we deal with…. #storytime #stuttering #disability #stutter #airport #tsa ♬ Ambient-style emotional piano – MoppySound