Huff Post
As far as I can remember, I’ve always looked different.
In elementary school, my classmates called me a girl, a genie and Aladdin.
In middle school, I was a raghead, a diaperhead and Sadam Hussein.
And in high school, some kids were convinced that I was Osama bin Laden.
These sorts of challenges come with looking different.
On the other hand, looking different has its advantages.
People pay attention when I walk into a room. I’m noticeable and memorable. In fact, people don’t forget meeting me. This is a huge benefit that comes with having a distinctive appearance.
And in my experiences, the benefits of looking different outweigh the challenges.
For example, “looking different” has led me to “look differently.” My Sikh identity has been linked to major moments in my life, and these unique experiences have shaped the way in which I view the world.
Like too many others, I’ve been discriminated against because of my unique appearance. While I wouldn’t wish it on anyone else, being the target of discrimination has helped open my eyes to various types of inequalities in our world.
Categories: Discrimination, Faith, Religion, Religious Values, Sikhism, Spirituality