Young Sikhs, racism and mental health
Recently, I encountered a case about a young Sikh boy who was racially attacked and beaten in Telford, a town in England.
Society around this world always attacks the vulnerable people in society. That's basically everyone around the world who are minorities.
Just because Sikhs don't follow the social norms of blending in we are further alienated in society through different types of methods.
Young Sikhs like this boy who was attacked often have to go through systemic racism and this further affects their mental health.
In brown families, mental health is often not considered to be a thing which is why a lot of the issues going on in young Sikhs' lives are not often talked about through their families.
There is a distressing video that shows young boys attacking a Sikh boy and taking off his patka (head wrap) which is worn under a turban.
There is a hate crime investigation going on this act of violence. This a serious case of hate, racism, and bullying based upon a Sikh boy's identity.
I can personally relate to this very well. When I was in middle school, in grade six I went through a similar case.
I was actually attacked on my patka too, and it was a horrifying experience to go through as it's the whole society, especially the school against you over the people who attacked you.
It really affected my mental health back then made me alienated in school just because of the way I looked people really didn't treat me properly.
The school almost suspended me because I stood up to the person who attacked my patka and we are talking about here in Brampton, Canada.
It's not only me, or the recent young boy case rather a lot of other Sikhs have been through these horrifying experiences since childhood worldwide.
Sikhs are not there to blend, we are there to stand out with our long hair and a unique identity that reflects our historical roots.
I am concerned about young Sikhs and our upcoming generations like they are going through the same experiences we went through.
Are we really going to have a social change in the upcoming years? will hate ever end upon Sikh communities? Why is #Sikh blocked by Instagram so many times?
What are your thoughts? Comment below.