About a year ago at Powell River’s Interfaith Fair, I volunteered to be Mohinder’s model when he showed the crowd how to put a turban on. I looked at this as a fun thing to do with a friend.

As I was sitting on the stage, Mohinder was explaining that the fabric for the turban was in excess of 7 meters. I was amazed by how long the deep red fabric was! And it felt really good to have the crowd watch Mohinder wrap the turban on me.

Seven meters of fabric is very hot and heavy — I can’t imagine what wearing one in a very hot climate would be like! It was also surprisingly tight.

I kept it on after I left the stage and walked around the crowded room. I was thrilled at the positive attention and reactions I got from participants — mostly the women participants! I was told I was sporting, dashing, handsome … all because I was wearing a red turban. It was neat to walk in Mohinder’s shoes for a few minutes.

But there was a tiny, niggling thought at the back of my brain that some people might disapprove of me wearing a turban — because I was a white guy wearing a turban – and that “just isn’t done”. I believe I felt an inkling of what discrimination might feel like because I felt that “someone” would disapprove.

You need to know that I am a strong, confident male and I have never experienced that feeling before. It was a powerful part of the experience and actually made me feel closer to Mohinder.

 - Bob in Powell River

photo credit:  Alicia Baas Photography