Post-9/11 | American Turban

Editorial cartoonist Vishavjit Singh tells his story

September 11, 2012 by Rupinder Mohan Singh

Editorial cartoonist Vishavjit Singh (of Sikhtoons) writes about his experiences as a turban-wearing Sikh in America, and the events that led him to take up creating cartoons: A real-life video game of targeting men with turbans and beards spread across the nation. Like every other Sikh man, my goal was to live my life without falling victim to ignorance. But that was a near impossible task. As flags went up on homes, cars and businesses in patriotic fervor, so did […]

Categories: Art, Profiles, Reflections • Tags: Post-9/11, Salon.com, Sikhtoons, Vishavjit Singh

A Sikh’s reaction to the killing of Osama bin Laden: one year later

May 3, 2012 by Rupinder Mohan Singh

This time last year, I reflected on the circumstances in which I heard the news of the assassination of Osama bin Laden by US Navy SEALs in Pakistan: As the evening progressed, we watched the images of people gathering in Washington, D.C., and at Ground Zero in New York, waving American flags, singing the national anthem, and reciting the Pledge of Allegiance. The outpouring of patriotism, in the manner of what might resemble a frat party, caused me some apprehension. It […]

Categories: Hate Crimes, Reflections, Reports/Studies • Tags: hate crimes, Osama bin Laden, Post-9/11, Sikh Coalition, Sikh Presenter's Course

The day I racially profiled myself

September 26, 2011 by Rupinder Mohan Singh

Upon booking my flight for a recent vacation, it was a routine consideration that I would need to make sure I gave myself enough time to check in at the airport, because I knew I would be subject to extra screening. As a turban-wearing man of Indian descent, I have heeded the notifications and have become used to added scrutiny and inspection when I travel through the country’s airports, which usually consists of additional pat-downs, turban inspections, and a review of my travel […]

Categories: Reflections • Tags: Airport security, Post-9/11, Racial profiling, Transportation Security Administration, TSA