Teenager Ansh Singh reflects on the challenges of being a Sikh in America, sharing his experiences of feeling pressured to explain his identity in unfamiliar environments.
Have you ever entered a room and felt out of place, not due to anything you said, but because of how you looked? As a teenager who wears a turban, I often find myself in such situations. In America, many people may have never encountered a Sikh person before. When I walk into an unfamiliar setting as the only one wearing a turban, I am expected to explain my identity with pride while grappling with the exhaustion that comes with it.
My first day of high school was particularly challenging. We were tasked with icebreakers, where each student had to share something unique about themselves. When it was my turn, I mentioned that I was Sikh. Almost immediately, multiple hands shot up, and classmates began to ask me why I wore a turban and what it symbolized.
As someone already feeling nervous, the barrage of questions made me feel like a walking textbook. My identity was reduced to a single aspect of my appearance, overshadowing my values and hobbies. This experience is not unique to me; it resonates with thousands of students worldwide who find themselves stereotyped and expected to educate others merely to gain acceptance.
While representation can be powerful, it can also be exhausting. The issue lies not in curiosity itself, but in the pressure that these questions impose on the individual responding. We should not shy away from asking about different cultures; instead, we should prioritize getting to know each other as individuals first.
Starting with questions like “Tell me more about yourself” or “What do you enjoy doing?” can make a significant difference. This small shift requires empathy, understanding, and an open heart. If everyone took a moment to consider the perspectives of others, we could transform spaces of anxiety and discomfort into welcoming environments.
With a Perspective, I’m Ansh Singh.
Ansh Singh is a high school senior residing in North Carolina. He enjoys visiting the Bay Area, hiking, spending time with family, and running cross country.
This story was originally published on Perspectives, KQED, and republished through the India Currents-KQED collaborative. If you would like to share your perspective, click the link below: Perspectives Submission Guidelines.
Source: Original article