Turban Remarks not Funny
Yashpaul Singh (Dogra)
This is my email to ABC regarding the Richard Jeni Comments: Richard Jeni's
comments of Fri, 28 Jun 2002 were very offensive to the Sikh and Muslim community.
98% of individuals that wear turbans in America are fiercely proud Sikh Americans.
Sikhs are from Northern India and are not Muslims. Certainly Mr. Jeni has the
right to voice his uneducated, ignorant opinion to further his comedic career.
I would argue that when this is done at the expense of any American minority,
it detracts from the American sprit and furthers the cause of those that wish
to defeat it. I am surprised that ABC would air such comments that promote ignorance
and hatred. Just last year Sikhs and Muslims (American Citizens and Legal Immigrants)
were targets of racial hatred. Numbers have died at the hands of zealots professing
views such as these.
I wear a turban and am a proud Sikh American. I believe that America is the
land of the free and the home of the brave. This is why I persevere and go into
public and on airplanes with my turban. I do this even when harassed in public
or closely scrutinized by airport security. It takes brave people, who are in
the minority, to have such a strong belief in America and continue with their
traditions in the light of such harassment.
Racial background, religion, heritage, views, should be respected by all in America. We as Americans have to believe this in order to survive the challenges to our way of life. I would venture to say Mr. Jeni, that those Americans you criticize for wearing turbans are braver than you in making sure this country is true to it's sprit and ideals.