US Comedian Allegedly Got Sikh People Kicked Off An Airplane Because She Felt “Threatened”

Americans (yes, specifically Americans) get confused between Muslims and Sikhs. Two years ago, Hasan Minaj did a ground survey after actor Waris Ahluwalia was barred from boarding his plane and provided proof of this ignorance among Americans. Several articles from famous dailies have tried to educate Americans about how Sikhs are not Muslims and vice versa. But after the recent stunt pulled by Jess Hilarious, it looks like all that has fallen on deaf ears.

American comedian Jess Hilarious put up a video where she was seen celebrating their evacuation from a plane allegedly because of four Sikh people. According to News 18, she said,

Four innocent Sikhs were kicked off a plane today because this woman was scared of how they looked.

Please watch and share this video to understand how hate hurts us all.

(see thread below for more info on the Sikh religion and identity)
pic.twitter.com/xg8vSfgsYm

— Simran Jeet Singh (@SikhProf) March 17, 2019

“F**k y’all, I feel how I feel. I felt threatened and that was it.”

After re-boarding the plane she added:

“So how ironic is it that we boarded the same plane and don’t see those people.”

She was referring to the Sikhs.

Netizens were appalled by Jess’s racial profiling and slammed her for her behaviour.

Hi @jess_hilarious,

I hear that you're fearful of people who look like me. Let me know if you ever want to chat. I'm happy to show you we're normal(ish) people and that you have nothing to fear.

peace,
a sikh https://t.co/RTmwziDeO5

— Simran Jeet Singh (@SikhProf) March 18, 2019

Absolutely outrageous and unacceptable. Sending love to our Sikh family. https://t.co/4aZfZasGrO

— Linda Sarsour (@lsarsour) March 18, 2019

It’s really hurtful that some people see turbans and view that as something to be afraid of.

Sikhs wear the turban/have long hair as a way to be publicly identified as in service to others. The idea is if you see someone in a turban, you’d know you could go up and ask for help.

— Aditi Juneja (@AditiJuneja3) March 17, 2019

THIS IS INSANE. 😡 https://t.co/7g6ojrYwEV

— Debra Messing✍🏻 (@DebraMessing) March 18, 2019

This is ridiculous. Can i get white guys with tats thrown off planes because I'm afraid they may be mass shooters or serial killers? https://t.co/r7sWmZlA0z

— rabia O'chaudry (@rabiasquared) March 17, 2019

https://twitter.com/Lexialex/status/1107298545403486208

Wtf? This is totally unacceptable.
After so many sacrifices Sikhs have done this is how they are treated?? Also it is not just about sacrifices,it's about how you judge a person by his looks. Shame on her and the fact no one stopped her is more disheartening. https://t.co/HcrjjRenso

— Aanchal Aneja (@AanchalAneja2) March 18, 2019

https://twitter.com/SUNNYSI73620070/status/1107479032159981575

This isn't about siding with every other BIPOC. This is about "Jess Hilarious" being an ignorant coward and Islamophobe. It's 2019, too late not to know Sikhs from Muslims — and what if they *were* Muslims? Just let people live! Goddamn it, black people *should* know better. https://t.co/KEYh8zGEeY

— N. K. Jemisin (@nkjemisin) March 17, 2019

The Sikh religion is a beautiful one, and it is also among the most widely misunderstood. Take the time to learn about it, please, starting with this thread: https://t.co/CKTrHWoILo

— Heidi N. Moore (@moorehn) March 17, 2019

Whether they were Sikhs or Muslim isn't the issue. "They weren't even Muslims" makes it seem like it would be ok to act that way towards Muslims. Stop it b.

— Felonious Munk 🇪🇹 (@Felonious_munk) March 17, 2019

So this ignorant fool @jess_hilarious got scared of a Sikh man on a plane. He said nothing to her. Was no where near her but with her whole chest she upped levels of stupidity and prejudice to a dangerous hight. . .Not so hilarious after all. . . pic.twitter.com/OkZUIUa4YL

— Genesis Elijah (@GenesisElijah) March 17, 2019

https://twitter.com/Adoomies1/status/1107304321924952065

News 18 reported that after the severe online backlash, Jess issued an apology by repeatedly saying that she’s not racist. She said,

“Look y’all I’m not racist and never have I ever been. We have Muslims in my family however I was totally unaware of the different types of Muslim so yes I admit I’m ignorant to the facts so teach me.”

She added:

“I didn’t even say shit to anyone else on the plane about how I felt! Again I’m sorry to ALL Muslims… deeply sorry! But I am not a racist loves.”

Simran Jeet Singh later confirmed that it is unclear if the Sikhs were thrown off the plane because of Jess Hilarious. However, it was evident from her videos that she disliked them and felt “threatened” because of their appearance. In that case, she should definitely look up the exemplary work the Sikh community has done in New Zealand after the Christchurch shootings or during the Kerala floods or for the Syrian refugees.

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