First Sikh attorney general in the US racially targeted
NEW YORK: America’s first SikhAmericanattorneygeneralGurbir Grewal has been racially targeted by two radio hosts who repeatedly called him a “turban man”onair,drawingseverecriticism from politicians and netizens over their “xenophobic and racist” comments.
Dennis Malloy and Judi Franco,whohostthe“Dennisand Judi Show” on the radio show NJ 101.5FM, were talking about Grewal’s decision to suspend marijuana prosecutions when theybegancallinghima“turban man.”
“You know the attorney generalguy?I’mnevergoingtoknow his name, I’m just gonna say the guy with the turban,” Malloy said. “Turban man!” Franco repeated in a sing-songtone. “If it offends you, then don’t wear the turban, man, and I’ll remember yourname,”Malloy,saidasboth the hosts laughed. “But turban man — is that highly offensive?”
“To me? No. To people who wear turbans, could be,” said Franco. “Could be. But if you calledmeBaseballHatManandI was in a culture where no one wears baseball hats, should I be offended?” Malloy said. “Uh, no. I would say no,” Franco replied. “So, anyway. The attorney general — turban man — says he’s not going to prosecute pot things until September,” Malloy said, laughing in the conversation.
Grewal, however, in a sharp tweet said that he is the 61st attorney general of New Jersey. He tweeted:“I’maSikh-American.I have three daughters. And yesterday, I told them to turn off the radio.” NewJerseygovernorPhil Murphy, who had appointed Grewal,stronglycondemnedthe language of the radio hosts, demandingactionbythe station.
Theradiostationlatertweeted that it is aware of the “offensive comments”madebyMalloyand Franco.“Wehavetakenimmediate action and have taken them offtheairuntilfurthernotice.We are investigating the matter and will have further comment shortly,” it said in the tweet.
TWO RADIO HOSTS, WHO CALLED GREWAL A ‘TURBAN MAN’, HAVE BEEN TAKEN OFF AIR