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Racist Airline Passenger Posts Snapchat 'Jokes' About A Sikh Man, Sparks Outrage On Social Media

IANS, 26 Jun, 2017 10:19 AM

An airline passenger who mocked a Sikh man's turban and suggested he was a terrorist in a series of racist Snapchat posts has sparked outrage on social media.

The bigoted outburst began when the man took a picture of the Sikh from behind, circled his turban, and included the caption: "Never mind I might not make it to Indy."

The messages were posted to Twitter by Sikh academic Simran Jeet Singh – to highlight the prejudice Sikhs face, often from ignorant racists who believe they are Muslim.

The professor, who teaches religion at Trinity University in Texas, has frequently spoken out against xenophobia and says he often experiences "uncomfortable stares and misguided fears" while travelling.

This series of snaps should give you a sense of what it's like for anyone who appears to be Muslim to travel by plane. *Thread* pic.twitter.com/9uHoVH4f6E
— Simran Jeet Singh (@SikhProf) June 22, 2017

The unknown Snapchat user posted, ‘Never mind I might not make it to Indy’ and ‘Update I’m still alive’ after seeing a passenger wearing a turban.

Another of the messages said, ‘Please god just let the man sleep.

Simran Jeet Singh wrote, ‘’This series of snaps should give you a sense of what it’s like for anyone who appears to be Muslim to travel by plane.

As a Sikh who flies frequently, I'm no stranger to the uncomfortable stares and misguided fears people have of me.
— Simran Jeet Singh (@SikhProf) June 22, 2017

I try to live my life by the Sikh maxim, "Fear none, frighten none." I think about this teaching often when I travel.
— Simran Jeet Singh (@SikhProf) June 22, 2017

It is unfair to put the burden of "not scaring others" on you. You should be able to just be.
— Hipnotic Chuha (@almavogler) June 23, 2017

I think twice about getting up to use the restroom. I feel self-conscious when opening the overhead bin to take something out of my luggage.
— Simran Jeet Singh (@SikhProf) June 22, 2017

I use my values to guide my decisions in these moments. It's a shame that we even have to think about such things -- but it's our reality.
— Simran Jeet Singh (@SikhProf) June 22, 2017

I don't say any of this to seek pity or apologies. I want people to hear what kinds of things minority communities endure. #FlyingWhileBrown
— Simran Jeet Singh (@SikhProf) June 22, 2017

Since the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, Sikhs have been targeted in the United States because their appearance – usually one that includes a turban and a long beard - mistakenly gives the impression that they are Muslim.

According to the Sikh Coalition, there were over 300 cases of violence and discrimination against Sikhs in the US in the first month after 9/11.

In the 15 years that have followed 9/11, Sikhs remain hundreds of times more likely to be targeted in cases of profiling, bigotry, and backlash than the average American, according to the organization.

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