Balbir Singh Sodhi is a name that may not yet mean anything to you.
I somehow came across his story through social media just last week. On September the 15th, 2001, just four days after the 9/11 attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon, Balbir was murdered while planting flowers outside of his family’s locally owned gas station in Mesa, Arizona.
He was killed for no reason other than the way he looked. Being a member of the Sikh faith, he was wearing a tradition turban and had a full beard. He was the first backlash victim after 9/11.
The white man that killed Balbir admits that his hatred and racism that was in his heart escalated after the attacks, and that was the sole driving force behind his senseless act.
I remember taking my girlfriends son to the zoo a few days after 9/11. A young couple was at the zoo, the girl in a hijab, a head covering that is worn in public by some Muslim women. My thoughts upon seeing this are as clear to me now as it was that day….
“the world has changed for the worse, and no one is as safe as they used to be….”
The Mesa gas station is still owned by Balbir’s family, and a beautiful memorial is still there out front. They also own a local restaurant, Guru Palace.
I go to the gas station to remember Balbir, then head over to the Guru palace to get something to eat. I meet the wonderful family members there, but don’t let them know that I’ve just learned of Balbir’s story.
I feel the warmth and love that the family has for their community, family and business.
I slowly savor the warm garlic naan, rice and curry. The sweet paneer and spicy masala tickle my tongue and comfort my soul.
I find it important to share this story, as we all need to remember Balbir these days, as sometimes I feel that nothing has changed regarding violence, racism and hatred since those dark times after 9/11.
