Oh yes, it still happens in Germany. And why not? A week to the day of Henry Louis Gates, Jr.'s run-in with the pigs I had my own introduction whilst claiming a ticket at the Berlin Hauptbanholf Station.
Only yesterday, I was stopped and questioned by two German politzei for absolutely no apparent reason. They asked to view my train ticket and passport. I only carried my state i.d. but, hey, it's still identification. The one called it in on his walktie-talkie and after several repeats I was handed back my stuff and told with a smile, Have a good day. Yep, I'm clean! If I hadn't a ticket in hand what would they have done? I think they presumed I was a pick-pocket. Hello!
The officials were very pleasant and professional---the nicest I've ever met, really---but since they had no cause to stop me and since I committed no infraction their polite interruption of my day remains unfair and, evidently, racially motivated.
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