Taranpreet Singh, a 21-year-old student in St. John’s, is raising awareness about the risks of racial discrimination after he and his friends were subjected to a terrifying racist attack in a local park. While enjoying a day at Sunshine Rotary Park, Singh and his companions were confronted by an unidentified man who hurled racial slurs and death threats at them.
Singh, who moved to Canada from India two years ago, discreetly recorded part of the encounter, capturing the man’s hateful tirade. The incident left Singh and his friends deeply shaken, prompting him to share the video on social media in hopes of warning others.
Advocates like Sobia Shaikh from the Anti-Racism Coalition of Newfoundland and Labrador emphasize the importance of reporting and publicizing such incidents, which often go unreported. Singh, however, has found it too traumatizing to watch the video himself and chose not to report the attack to the police, fearing further complications.
Singh’s experience has cast a shadow over his sense of safety in Canada, despite generally feeling welcomed in Newfoundland. He hopes his story will alert others to the potential dangers of racial discrimination and prevent similar experiences in the future.