Bearded Sikh woman teaches Reddit a lesson

by Lauren O'Neil Posted: September 26, 2012 5:30 PM Last Updated: September 26, 2012 5:31 PM

Categories: Community

View the story "Bearded Sikh woman teaches Reddit a lesson in tolerance" on StorifyBearded Sikh woman teaches Reddit a lesson in toleranceWhen a photo of Sikh university student Balpreet Kaur attracted hundreds of mocking comments on Reddit, she defended herself and her religion with maturity and grace. She's since earned a heartfelt apology and the respect of many.Storified by CBC News Community · Wed, Sep 26 2012 14:26:56A young Sikh woman -- whose photo was taken at an airport,posted online, and then ridiculed by hundreds -- is being hailed across the webtoday after defending herself so eloquently that her original tormenter feltcompelled to apologize to all Sikhs everywhere.TumblrIn the widely-shared photo, Balpreet Kaur, an Ohio State University student,is shown waiting in line at an airport. She glancesdown at her iPhone, unaware that her picture is being taken.

"I'm not sure what to conclude from this," wrotea person with the handle European_douchebag when he posted the photo toReddit's /funny section.I'm not sure what to conclude from this : funnyreddit: the front page of the internetIt is clear from the thread that user is referring to the hair on Kaur's face, but commenters alsotook digs at the young woman's turban and looks in general.undefinedImgur

Kaur, a neuroscience major, was unaware that her image wasstarting to go viral until a classmate mentioned it on Facebook.

Showing a commendable amount of grace and maturity,Kaur signed up for Reddit and visitedthe thread to defend herself and her religion.

"I'm not embarrassed or even humiliated by the attention[negative and positive] that this picture is getting because, it's who I am,"she wrote.

"Yes, I'm a baptized Sikh woman with facial hair. Yes, I realizethat my gender is often confused and I look different than most women. However,baptized Sikhs believe in the sacredness of this body - it is a gift that hasbeen given to us by the Divine Being [which is genderless, actually] and, must keepit intact as a submission to the divine will."

Kaur continued on to explain why she ignores societal viewsof physical beauty in favour of action and inner virtue.

"I hope this explains everything a bit more, and Iapologize for causing such confusion and uttering anything that hurt anyone,"She concluded.balpreetkaur comments on I'm not sure what to conclude from thisHey, guys. This is Balpreet Kaur, the girl from the picture. I actually didn't know about this until one of my friends told on facebook. ...

Kaur's short essay shot up the thread immediately, earningher the "best comment" spot and soliciting a flurry of supportive words.

By Tuesday, the original poster, came forwardwith an apology:

"I felt the need to apologize to the Sikhs, Balpreet, andanyone else I offended when I posted that picture. Put simply it was stupid.Making fun of people is funny to some but incredibly degrading to the peopleyou're making fun of. It was an incredibly rude, judgmental, and ignorant thingto post." He wrote.

"I've read more about the Sikh faith and it was actuallyreally interesting. It makes a whole lot of sense to work on having a legacyand not worrying about what you look like. I made that post for stupid internetpoints and I was ignorant."

I posted the picture of a Sikh woman on here and I'd like to apologize : funnyI posted this link a few days ago: http://www.reddit.com/r/funny/comments/109cnf/im_not_sure_what_to_conclude_from_this/ I know that this...News of Kaur's eloquent retort and its ability to solicit a heartfelt apology from a person who only four days earlier felt it was okay to mock photos of unsuspecting women online, started spreading out from feminist and web culture blogs this morning.

Soon, thousands were praising the young Sikh woman who refused to get rid of her facial hair - and proudly so.I have nothing but total respect for Balpreet Kaur. She is the best example of a GOOD #Sikh @jodhiek @atdmeek #Sikhs #Punjabi #WaheguruTalwar KaurSO proud of Balpreet, for sticking to her beliefs even when clashing beauty standards make it hard. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/09/25/balpreet-kaur-sikh-woman-proudly-sports-facial-hair-faith_n_1913355.html #UnpluggingSocietyLucy Ramos"My attitude, thoughts and actions have more value in them than my body." --Balpreet KaurJoseph MonaghanBalpreet Kuar is a pious Sikh whose picture was recently posted for bigoted laughs on reddit. Her response is amazing. http://jezebel.com/5946643/reddit-users-attempt-to-shame-sikh-woman-get-righteously-schooledM. MastersPowerful story of Balpreet Kaur - no pansy victimhood or tale of woes.Barbarian IndianBalpreet is my new hero! RT @mgtmccartney: how to handle internet nastiness. a brilliant feminist lesson. http://www.guardian.co.uk/lifeandstyle/the-womens-blog-with-jane-martinson/2012/sep/26/sikh-online-abuse-facial-hairPhilippaBalpreet Kaur the Sikh student in US,not embarassed but proud of her facial hair (#BalpreetKaur #US #Sikh #Ohio #Hair) http://bit.ly/UJngRPH S BawaRefreshingly gracious & unsuperficial response from a Sikh woman whose photograph went viral because of her facial hair http://cracked.tumblr.com/post/32253919728/after-going-viral-on-reddits-funny-section-forDiana S. Fleischman'Balpreet, I'm sorry for being a closed minded individual. You are a much better person than I am' http://www.reddit.com/r/funny/comments/10gr4s/i_posted_the_picture_of_a_sikh_woman_on_here_and/Manish VijMany were taken by the apology, noting that perhaps the internet's meanest are growing up.
Dawwwww. Personal growth happening RIGHT THERE ON THE INTERNET! #redditors #sikhs #awesome http://jezebel.com/5946643/reddit-users-attempt-to-shame-sikh-woman-get-righteously-schooledVanessa ReidPerson says something ignorant on Reddit, gets educated and then apologizes. Internet, you're not so bad. http://jezebel.com/5946643/reddit-users-attempt-to-shame-sikh-woman-get-righteously-schooledTanya EdwardsWe're cool for today, internet. But JUST TODAY. http://jezebel.com/5946643/reddit-users-attempt-to-shame-sikh-woman-get-righteously-schooledLindy WestIt's safe to say that many people have learned something from this story. What are your thoughts?

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