Op/Ed: “Go home ya’ ISIS black b*****d”

I was working slightly later on Friday evening, a client had e-mailed me shortly after 5 p.m. with a query and wanted to discuss how to deal with a particularly vexing issue. I had nothing else to do (that says a lot about me actually) so I told her I’d be happy to wait and speak to her.

An hour or so later, after helping the client, I packed up and decided it was time to call it a week. I’d worked late pretty much every night last week and had also started early on Friday. Shut down my station and then left the building, proceeded down Bath Street and was pre-engaged on my phone when I heard a shrill caw of a young woman from across the other side of the road. I didn’t instantly realise that said woman was seeking to engage in dialogue with me.

“Haw you, go home ya ISIS black b*****d”.

Distracted from my LinkedIn notifications (I love checking out who has viewed my profile) I looked up and saw the woman who saw fit to unleash this vituperative fusillade. Assessing the situation, I realised that it must have been me she was wishing to engage. There was no one else around for a start, Furthermore, I was presuming, that due to my being a Sikh and wearing a turban, this qualified me as ISIS in her mind. The black segment of her remark would appear to have been directed towards my skin tone. The only concerning issue was how she had ascertained that I was a b*****d. Was this a literal use of the word? She could not have been older then 25, judging by her appearance, resplendent in an expensive branded tracksuit. Therefore, she could not have been, say for example, around when I was conceived and therefore could have no knowledge of whether or not I was indeed a b*****d. I also considered whether she meant b*****d in a more general sense, perhaps due to my demeanour or my actions. Of striking appearance, her face, contorted in bilious hatred, she didn’t appear to be someone I knew, therefore I felt she was unqualified to level such a charge at me.

Rather than engage in any great length, I waved my keys at her and informed her that I was indeed, going home, and that she could go forth and multiply.

I do not write this to gain any sympathy, nor to shock anyone, but it occurred to me that despite Sikhs having woven themselves into the wonderful fabric of this nation over the last century, we are still relatively unknown. I also do not intend to suggest that racism is rampant here. In fact, I would say that overt comments such as this are now on the slide and are usually exacerbated when there is a spike in news affairs about the latest atrocity madmen (always men) attribute to God.

So, I thought it pertinent to explain a few things about a Sikh.

Sikhs

  1. Are a distinct people. Not Muslim, not Hindu, although from North India originally. They believe in God – not a man or woman, incapable of being defined by the limitations of our languages or intellects, above human emotions such as hate and anger.
  2. Believe that there is no difference between humans. Every person blessed enough to have been born ought to have the equal opportunity to pursue their lives in the way they see fit. How can a woman ever be lesser when she gives birth to Kings? How can one’s nature be measured in the accumulation of how much money they have amassed?
  3. Have three central tenets to their faith – remember your creator, work hard and contribute positively to the society you live in, and share what you have been fortunate to have with those less so. To this end, Sikhs provide a free meal at any place of worship (Gurdwara), where anyone of any colour, gender, race, age, social background is welcomed. According to this five hundred year old principle instigated by the Sikh Gurus, everyone leaves differentiating factors at the door. A tray is given in which food (typically a variety of vegetarian curries) is distributed in equal proportions, to all and any who come to have Langar. Everyone sits on the floor, and eats together. 
  4. Are proactively required to donate, as a bare minimum, one tenth to a cause for those in a less privileged position. This does not simply require a monetary amount, but also a tenth of their time and effort. 
  5. All adapt either Singh or Kaur in their names. Men retain the name Singh (literally lion) whilst women retain the name Kaur (literally meaning royalty). Historically, Singh and Kaur were titles used by the rulers of society. The Sikh Gurus saw no difference in status, so elevated every Sikh, irrespective of their background to Singh or Kaur. Women who marry a man do not have to adopt their husband’s name if Sikh, they are equal and remain Kaur. 

I do not mean to preach. Sikhism does not believe in evangelical style conversion or any such notion – what it requires is that you act honestly and make the world a better place for those around you. So, random racist woman, you may never read this, but if you have a LinkedIn profile, please feel free to add me, I do not hold your comments against you.

And FYI I: was going home, am a Sikh, my skin tone is more bronze than black and as far as my family tree informs me, am not a b*****d.

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