Yasmin Seweid is an 18-year-old student at Baruch College. She also happens to be a Muslim, and what happened to her recently on a subway platform in New York City is emblematic of how intolerant some Americans have become since the election of Donald Trump.
As Seweid waited on the subway to arrive, a group of young men who appeared to be drunk approached her, called her a “terrorist,” and attempted to pull the hijab off her head.
After the incident, Seweid wrote on Facebook:
“I take the train every single day going to & coming from class, but yesterday, something happened that I never thought would happen to me. I was harassed on the subway last night and it was just so dehumanizing I can’t speak about it without getting emotional. Three white racists ripped the straps off my bag & attempted to yank my hijab off my head. They yelled such disgusting slurs at me, I was so helpless and felt defenseless. ‘Look it’s a fucking terrorist’, ‘go back to your country’, “take that rag off your head’ and so many more. Trump’s name was repeatedly said & it finally clicked in my head. No matter how ‘cultured’ or ‘Americanized’ I am, these people don’t see me as an American.”
It should be noted that Seweid was born in Brooklyn to parents who immigrated to the United States from Egypt, meaning she is a natural-born American citizen.
Did any bystanders attempt to intervene or defend the young girl? No, and Seweid said she found that especially disheartening:
“It breaks my heart that so many individuals chose to be bystanders while watching me get harassed verbally and physically by these disgusting pigs. Trump America is real and I witnessed it first hand last night! What a traumatizing night. Please stay safe everyone & never let anyone take your rights away. Just thought I should share that with you all tonight.”
Police are investigating the incident as a crime of bias. It also has the hallmarks of a hate crime.
Featured Image Via Facebook
