First Sikh attorney general in the US racially targeted
NEW YORK: America’s first SikhAmerican attorney general Gurbir Grewal has been racially targeted by two radio hosts who repeatedly called him a “turban man” on air, drawing severe criticism from politicians and netizens over their “xenophobic and racist” comments.
Dennis Malloy and Judi Franco, who host the “Dennis and Judi Show” on the radio show NJ 101.5FM, were talking about Grewal’s decision to suspend marijuana prosecutions when they began calling him a “turban man.”
“You know the attorney general guy? I’m never going to know his name, I’m just gonna say the guy with the turban,” Malloy said. “Turban man!” Franco repeated in a sing-song tone. “If it offends you, then don’t wear the turban, man, and I’ll remember your name,” Malloy, said as both 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 called me Baseball Hat Man and I 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’m a Sikh-American. I have three daughters. And yesterday, I told them to turn off the radio.” New Jersey governor Phil Murphy, who had appointed Grewal, strongly condemned the language of the radio hosts, demanding action by the station.
The radio station later tweeted that it is aware of the “offensive comments” made by Malloy and Franco. “We have taken immediate action and have taken them off the air until further notice. 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