Sikhtoons

Vishaveit Singh was born in Washington, D.C., and spent most of his childhood in India. His family survived the 1984 Sikh Massacre that left thousands dead. After high school, he moved back to the states to attend college in California. He removed his turban and cut his hair short. During those years he was often mistaken as Hispanic.  Exploring Eastern philosophy led him back to embracing his Sikh identity. 

Singh said an interactive cartoon by Mark Fiore titled “Find the Terrorist” published in October 2001 led him to cartooning and back to his love for drawing. He connected with Fiore’s piece because it captured his predicament and combated hatred through humor. The deadly attack on a Sikh temple in Wisconsin in 2012 also had a profound effect on Singh

Singh lives in New York City and has been the target of verbal abuse. After a quick assessment, he’ll either ignore the insults or confront those attacking him. Singh will ask them outright if they think he’s Osama bin Laden or a terrorist. Often, they’ll back away from their insults and apologize. One might expect the people directing derogatory comments his way to be white; Singh said that’s not always the case. It often comes from black and Hispanic men. It’s a layered and complex dynamic as to why those groups direct derisive comments his way.  

“I’ve come to realize everybody has prejudices, everybody stereotypes, has stereotypes,” said Singh. “We’re prone to engage in simple narratives, but life is very complicated, human beings are very complicated, individuals are very complicated.” I’ve come to realize everybody has prejudices, everybody stereotypes, has stereotypes,” said Singh. “We’re prone to engage in simple narratives, but life is very complicated, human beings are very complicated, individuals are very complicated.”