If there is a land where you can dream of something and achieve it, it is the United States. At least that is what they say. He had heard this a million times before. In movies, in books. This was the whole concept of the United States. And that was what he kept reminding himself.
He feared that people would taunt him, make racist comments. He shuddered, they might even attack him. This was not going to be easy. But then he thought he could be wrong. After all, this was the cultural melting pot of the world. All religions accepted, all races one.
The spirit of the United States accepts all and leaves none.
The plane taxied. After taking a few steps, he found himself at the immigration check. His Student Visa, and his I-20, got him through immigration easily. But he had started to notice something. Even though they said nothing, he could feel it in their eyes. Those angry stares. His smiles got no response.
He knew this was going to be tough.
He took a taxi directly to the university in Downtown Los Angeles. As he got out of the taxi, he heard angry voices, coming from a group of skateboarders, practicing their flips near one of the university fountains. They didn’t appear to be more than 14 ,or 15, years old. what struck him most were their words.
“Yo, my cousin said he knew one of the Seals who hunted Osama.”
They made sure he could hear them.
It hurt. Even though is parents had warned him of the pain, still it hurt piercing through to his soul.
Somehow he managed to find the International Student Affairs office building. He took the elevator to the sixth floor with an elderly lady. He was quite sure she would be scared, taking the elevator with someone who looked like him. But then it all changed.
She looked at him and said, “Aren’t you a Sikh, my dear?”
He caught his reflection in the steel elevator wall. The lady must have recognized his turban, beard, and the iron bracelet on his right hand.
He smiled and said, “Yes ma’am, I’m a Sikh.” His faith in the U.S. spirit was restored. He felt that now he could call this land “home.”
This short story is a way to educate people about the racism that happens to Sikhs in the United States — sometimes accidentally, and sometimes not so accidentally. Sikhs wear turbans, and keep unshorn hair, and beards, as mandated by Sikhism. They become a target of hate comments because of their appearance. But Sikhs are one of the most peace-loving, hardworking, valiant, and loyal people. They strongly believe in Seva (community service). They have a very proud history, originating in Punjab. They have helped with building the foundations of many nations, including Australia, Canada, the United Kingdom ,and the United States, to name a few. We even have a Sikh Student Association at USC that tries to spread awareness about Sikh beliefs, and culture.
So the next time you see a Sikh, smile.
