In a heart-stopping moment of terror, the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore collapsed! But what ensued was not just a tale of tragedy and heroism. A disturbing narrative of racial prejudice and scapegoating that shook the foundations of decency at Baltimore.
Biden’s Salute to the Indian Crew at Baltimore
Amidst the chaos and devastation, President Joe Biden himself hailed the courageous actions of the Indian crew aboard the ill-fated vessel. Their swift response in alerting authorities via a Mayday call undoubtedly prevented further loss of life. This prompted US President Joe Biden to publicly acknowledge their heroism in the face of adversity.
Xenophobia Unleashed
However, even as the Indian crew’s bravery was celebrated, a darker underbelly of bigotry emerged from the depths of social media. American media outlets and personalities shamefully propagated racist remarks. They appropriated baseless accusations against the Indian community! They attempted to tarnish the response to the tragedy with a stain of xenophobia.
Scapegoating and Stereotypes
From derogatory terms like ‘pajeet’ to outrageous conspiracy theories blaming India for the catastrophe, the online discourse descended into a cesspool of prejudice and hate. Trevor Sutcliffe’s attempts to pin the blame on the Hindu community and FM1947PAK’s absurd allegations of Indian terrorism exemplified the depths of misinformation and malice.
Media Against Indians
Even more insidious were the tactics employed by certain individuals to further vilify the Indian community. FoxfordComics’ use of manipulated media and DiogenestheD0G’s despicable caricatures stooped to new lows, exploiting stereotypes and spreading falsehoods to fuel the flames of racial animosity.
As if to add insult to injury, Elon Musk’s tacit approval of derogatory remarks against India and its people normalised bigotry in influential circles!
Indians Fight Back for Baltimore
In the face of such adversity, Indians on social media quickly reclaimed the narrative. They stood firm in their resolve to combat prejudice like in the #whatswrongwithIndia trend!
The Indian crew of the container ship exemplified courage and compassion in the face of adversity. They deserve utmost respect and gratitude!