Racial profiling in security systems at airports today exists under the pen-name better known as “random check.” After the terrorist attacks of 9/11, the security at airports and many other facilities has been upgraded and tightened to ensure the “safety” of people. But the real question here is: how safe is this truly keeping us?
As people of color, we are still willing to comply to these “random checks,” even though it makes us feel profiled and victimized. We have unique names and different outer appearances that make us a specific target of racial profiling. However, this is not only an issue that exists in the Sikh/Punjabi community—it is universally applicable. Post 9/11, there has been a widespread epidemic of Islamophobia that created misunderstood underlying animosity towards minorities. This has created a sociopolitical issue specifically in the Sikh community today, simple due to the fact that the Sikhs are known for their identifying article of faith: the turban.
As you may recall, in the recent past, Sikh comedian Jasmeet Singh (otherwise known as Jus Reign) was asked by TSA to remove his turban at a San Francisco airport. Singh had no other option but to cooperate and when he asked for a mirror to re-tie his turban, he was told to do so in the nearest restroom. Reflecting on this incident, Singh responded with, “ [a turban] is a sign of royalty, respect, dignity, courage and has a huge significance for my people” and “the issue isn’t JUST with the fact that I was asked to remove the turban (however silly it still is) but with the lack of respect and insensitivity when I asked for a simple request like a mirror to tie it back on again.”
The lack of education here is the biggest issue that the Sikh community faces today. A turban is not simply a piece of cloth that can be removed and put back on in the same manner that a t-shirt is worn. Though many people initially have a reaction of outrage to events such as this, Singh was able to educate his millions of followers due to this act of discrimination. By complying to what TSA asked him to do, Singh showed a level of respect to TSA that was not reciprocated towards him. In reaction to this, Singh posted various times on social media to alert his following of the level of racial profiling that occurred. By acting in this manner, Singh is able to educate the numerous amounts of people who have misconstrued perceptions of what the turban is. His reaction to TSA sparked anger amongst many people, thus resulting in education. This is how Sikh people will begin to be recognized in the world. We must struggle and fight for our identity and religion, just as Jasmeet Singh has peacefully protested this level of discrimination.
In this situation, the issue is not the fact that Singh was asked to remove his turban, it is simply that he was not given the adequate amount of privacy requested to do this, or given the correct resources to re-tie his pagh (turban), such as mirror or private space. If asked politely and given the proper privacy and respect, this would not have been an issue for him to remove and re-tie his pagh. I am sure that he would have been more than willing to cooperate.
On the other hand, as a people, there is no direct solution to this problem, unless we are willing to change our identity. The word “judgement” is synonymous to racial profiling and is inevitable from a philosophical viewpoint. As humankind, it is inevitable for us not to judge people because we are constantly formulating opinions according to our own perception and experiences in life. Whether this is a subconscious or conscious act, we are naturally inclined to judge everything that we come across. So yes, it is wrong that Jasmeet Singh was ill-judged, but with the lack of exposure that people have to minorities (specifically Sikhs), we cannot blame TSA for being extra cautious. However, we as the people, have every right to react to the level of disrespect that occurred during this event.
[this blogpost was written for UnitedSikhs on March 7, 2016]
amarbani 