One year ago this coming Monday, six people worshiping at the Sikh Temple of Wisconsin were gunned down by a white supremacist in an act of domestic terrorism.
A blog in the JS Online by Amitabh Pal points out that since 9-11, Muslim American terrorism has been responsible for the deaths of 33 people. Compare that to the more than 200 Americans killed by white supremacists and other groups on the far right. The article cites a report by the US Military Academy as its source.
Despite that, racial profiling against Muslim Americans is common and encouraged by such politicians as Rep Peter King (R-NY). President Barack Obama avoided going to Sikhism’s holiest shrine during a visit to India in 2010 out of fear of looking Muslim.
Pal hopes the anniversary of the Sikh temple massacre will serve as a reminder that we need to be vigilant against hate.