aljazeeraamerica:

‘Go Home Terrorist:’ Sikh children bullied twice the national average

Half of Sikh children reported that they are bullied in school, according to a study released Thursday – a number that rises to more than two-thirds if they wear a turban that covers their long, uncut hair in accordance with their religion.

The study also found that Sept. 11, 2001 attacks are an important factor driving persecution of children wearing traditional garb. They endure bullying rates twice the national average, the report found.

“For two years we got bullied, came home crying every day,” a Sikh student, who is identified only by his initials LS, said in the report, titled Go Home Terrorist. “I was in 5th grade [in California], and my dad took us to a barber shop, and he was like ‘it’s today.’ My mom was crying, my dad was crying.” It was the day he cut his hair.

Continue reading

(Photo: Sarah L. Voisin/The Washington Post/Getty Images)