Man with Turban is not a Terrorist

Gap's Christmas Ad with Waris Ahluwalia

The Gap’s Christmas ad features Waris Ahluwalia, a jewellery designer, actor and Sikh man. It says “Make Love,” but was defaced in the Bronx New York subway station to say “Make Bombs.” The is probably because of the turban Waris wears on his head. The attacks of September 11^th still ring fresh in people’s minds. People who wear turbans intimidate and are most often mistaken as Muslims. This weekend I took the train to Grimbsy, Lincolnshire in search of the Sikh Gurdwara (temple) to find some of the people who make up the fifth largest religion. And yes, also wear turbans.

Karam Singh, one of the Sikh men I met this weekend, doesn’t speak English. The language barrier didn’t stop him from inviting me in immediately, never asking why I came. It didn’t matter, everyone is welcome in the Gurdwara – that’s a part of the equality of Sikhism. Another Sikh I sat down with was Boota Singh. He spoke some English, but what he told me is almost too terrible to repeat.

I showed the two men the defaced Gap ad and asked if they had ever been racially attacked. Boota said “When they see us across the road, they say Bin Laden". Karam asked in broken English “What happened here?” I didn’t have much to say after that. They had answered all of my questions.

The Sikh people are racially profiled as terrorists because of the pieces of cloth they tie on top of their head. Their religion requires equality in gender, the belief in one God and to tie their uncut hair up into a turban to show truthful living. They believe in the blessings they are given and share them with others – like the goody bag they sent away with me consisting of two apples and a heaping pile of candy and almonds.

I couldn't help myself. I ate one of the apples given to me by the Sikh's before snapping this photo of their kindness.

#firstworldproblems

Disclaimer: Before you read this, know that these are my opinions. You may not agree, but this is my interpretation of #firstworldproblems through personal experiences. 

Summer 2011, I ventured to the Dominican Republic with an amazing group of 24 individuals. That summer changed my life and my perspective about the way we, well Americans, live. International Student Volunteers is an organisation that gives students an opportunity to broaden their horizons through volunteer work and travel. But they can't take everyone along, and I'm referring to the individuals who need their mind opened to fresh opportunities, more than anyone.

Ever tweeted #firstworldproblems? Urban Dictionary explains the hash-tag as "Problems from living in a wealthy, industrialized nation that third worlders would roll their eyes at.”

People tweet “Broke a nail, out of toothpaste, flat car tire” and then add on #firstworldproblems. But are these truly First World problems that happen only in the first world?

I don’t think so.

We know there are poorer people in poorer countries, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t broken nails or flat tires in Africa. Think about #firstworldproblems through Teju Cole’s eyes.

He’s a Nigerian-American writer, and I think he got it right. "Yes, Nigerians struggle with flood or infant mortality. But these same Nigerians also deal with mundane and seemingly luxurious hassles. Connectivity issues on your BlackBerry, cost of car repair, how to sync your iPad, what brand of noodles to buy: Third World problems. All the silly stuff of life doesn't disappear just because you're black and live in a poorer country.”

And the winner for most insensitive tweet, “My cheekbones hurt from smiling and laughing all day” @FirstWorldPains. The person tweeting is saying that people can’t live happy and fulfilled lives because they don't live in a first world country? Not true.

I volunteered in the Dominican Republic summer 2011. I worked harder than I ever have before to cut through wood with a hand-saw, instead of an electric one, to build latrines sustainable for 10 years. This was the best summer of my life. I miss the new friends and Dominicans who taught me to appreciate and realise us ‘first worlders’ don’t have life all figured out.

Next time you tweet about First World problems, remember that your African pen pal might be missing the cord to charge his iPhone as well.

Follow me on Twitter: @ambersumpter

Here's a few photos from my trip to the beautiful Dominican Republic:

Dominican Republic honours the country's best baseball players

Franco, our fearless building leader. He never stopped smiling.

All smiles from the latrine builders!  

Power tools? Nope, powerful arms.

A woman and her best pal. 

Samuel, 2-year-old Haitian boy adopted by the Dominican family we stayed with. He loved photos, and was quite the photogenic type.

Jennifer's home.

That radiant smile. Jennifer knew nothing more than what she had. 

Peek-a-Boo

Puppy Dog Eyes

Finished Latrine.

The K-12 school for La Mina.

The loveliest ladies.