Canadian Sikh politician Jagmeet Singh's 15 tweet thread highlights the racial profiling that people from other countries have to face even in a multicultural society as Canada.
NDP leadership candidate Jagmeet Singh took to Twitter Tuesday to share a personal story that he hopes will help young people struggling with their self-worth.
In a series of tweets, the Ontario MPP wrote about how he felt out of place while growing up, how there was "something wrong with me for just being me."
On #MulticulturalismDay I want to share a personal story, something that I hope will inspire us to build a more inclusive Canada.
— Jagmeet Singh (@theJagmeetSingh) June 27, 2017
He started saying, “On #MulticulturalismDay I want to share a personal story, something that I hope will inspire us to build a more inclusive Canada.” He goes on the write how wearing a turban made him feel different from others, and how in a bid to gain confidence, he used his sharp dressing skills and fashion as a suit of armour as it “it insulated me from some of the negativity I faced, but it didn’t end it”.
While Canada is known for celebrating Multiculturalism, as a kid growing up, it didn’t always feel that way. pic.twitter.com/U3kBgfbAyN
— Jagmeet Singh (@theJagmeetSingh) June 27, 2017
Sharing photos of himself as a child, as well as working as an adult, his 15 tweet thread highlights the racial profiling that people from other countries have to face even in a multicultural society as Canada, as well as how there is a need to make the country more inclusive and diverse. Read the series of tweets here.
I remember feeling like there was something wrong with me for just being me, and I wanted to belong.
— Jagmeet Singh (@theJagmeetSingh) June 27, 2017
As I grew older, so did my confidence. But, I faced new struggles. I learned that I had to work twice as hard for half as much. pic.twitter.com/bPjoTDmvYg
— Jagmeet Singh (@theJagmeetSingh) June 27, 2017
My turban & beard evoked a reaction in every room I walked into. I continued to feel like there was something wrong with me. It felt unfair.
— Jagmeet Singh (@theJagmeetSingh) June 27, 2017
I searched for ways to feel comfortable in my skin - I got creative with my identity & owned it.
— Jagmeet Singh (@theJagmeetSingh) June 27, 2017
Fashion allowed me to own my identity while giving me the confidence to fight for what I believed in. pic.twitter.com/NyDhEhubiU
— Jagmeet Singh (@theJagmeetSingh) June 27, 2017
I hoped it would challenge or disrupt negative stereotypes, so that I could continue to fight for the issues that mattered.
— Jagmeet Singh (@theJagmeetSingh) June 27, 2017
As a defence lawyer & MPP, I have been racially profiled & stopped by police officers; a reality too many Canadians face. pic.twitter.com/jrE9BYU8uQ
— Jagmeet Singh (@theJagmeetSingh) June 27, 2017
Since being elected, I’ve faced criticism for caring about how I dress. The truth is, like many PoC, I don’t have the privilege to not care.
— Jagmeet Singh (@theJagmeetSingh) June 27, 2017
Friends, while we have marked many milestones as a country, we have a tremendous amount of work to do.
— Jagmeet Singh (@theJagmeetSingh) June 27, 2017
I share this story in the hopes that every young person struggling like I did realizes their own self worth & maybe a path easier than mine. pic.twitter.com/x1W42inR7c
— Jagmeet Singh (@theJagmeetSingh) June 27, 2017
I am running for leader of Canada's @NDP so that we can break these barriers - and I ask that you join me, with love and courage #ndpldr
— Jagmeet Singh (@theJagmeetSingh) June 27, 2017
In a country led by the popular Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Singh is one of the prominent Sikh politicians in Canada who is currently running for leadership position of the federal party NDP. Should he win, Singh will become the first non-white person to head a major Canadian political party.
