Social media flooded with racist comments after Air India crash, but Indians are speaking out
Warning: This story contains details that some readers may find distressing.
In the wake of the Air India plane crash in Ahmedabad that killed 241 people, social media was flooded with racist comments mocking the victims.
Comment sections on news stories about the crash were filled with stereotypes and caricatures about the passengers being Uber drivers, delivering butter chicken and running 7-Elevens.
"It was the curry chicken to blame."
"The pilot just had some Indian street food."
For Pree Shah, in New York City, the racism that confronted her after the plane crash was "shocking" and "difficult to stomach".
"One of my family friends went to the medical college where the plane crashed," Ms Shah told the ABC.
"It's personal for some of us and hits close to home."
The 25-year-old said instead of being sensitive and compassionate, people online were knocking down "an already emotionally hurt community".
"There is no acceptable time for racism but this especially feels like a 'read the room' moment," Ms Shah said.
Uber, the smell of Indians, Indian food, and Indians being "scammers".
Varsha Yajman from Sydney has seen "the same four jokes" play out online time after time.
Ms Yajman said she believed an increase in online hostility towards the Indian community was related to the growing intolerance to immigrants in the United States following Donald Trump's re-election.
"The US's current ICE [Immigration and Customs Enforcement] method feels like a reflection of what a lot of people across the world want," the 22-year-old said.
Both Ms Yajman and Ms Shah said the comments perpetuated harmful stereotypes about Indians.
"People are commenting jokes about Indians being scammers, smelly and useless," Ms Shah said.
And this, she said, only just scratched the surface.
Some of the comments went much further than racist stereotypes and wished actual harm to Indians.
"Thank god there will be less immigrants in England. This just in: few houses are up for rent," one user commented on a Facebook post.
The sheer volume of racist comments against Indians online is not new.
It was an ongoing phenomenon in countries like Australia, the US and Canada, said Sukhmani Khorana, an associate professor in media and migration at the University of New South Wales.
Dr Khorana said those posting the comments were "harking back to orientalist and colonial stereotypes".
"They are dehumanising Indians by saying the loss of a couple of hundred doesn't matter, given there are so many around the world," she said.
Only one passenger on board the London-bound jet survived the crash.
And yet, many online mocked his survival, some even questioning if it was all fake.
The majority of the racist comments Dr Khorana read were posted on Facebook and X.
"They have been reported, but still not taken down," she said.
She said this was the result of social media companies failing to put safeguards in place.
"We need more transparency around who is deciding what 'community standards' are and how review decisions are made," she said.
In January, the Center For The Study Of Organized Hate (CSOH) in Washington DC published a study on anti-Indian hate on X.
It found that X, under the ownership of Elon Musk and following the administration of Donald Trump, saw an "unprecedented outpouring of anti-Indian racist hatred against Indians".
The ABC contacted Meta and X for comment.
Dr Khorana said racism against Indians and South Asians needed more attention from legacy media, social media companies and online safety regulators.
"Mainstream media need to do better with article headlines and comment moderation," she said.
At the crux of this issue, Dr Khorana said, people must remind one another that "we are all human".
"It's important to treat someone as human," she said.
"Race is a socio-historical construct, yet racism arises precisely because it is considered a biological and fixed difference which becomes the basis for dehumanisation."
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Sydney Morning Herald
8 hours ago
- Sydney Morning Herald
‘I shouldn't have driven': Ezra Mam reflects on that crash, Leniu, and the lessons learned
'Definitely. We've had a chat, and we're comfortable with each other now,' Mam says. 'The biggest thing is that we addressed it. I feel for Spencer, too, it would not have been an easy thing to deal with, either. 'I really respect him for coming up to me and we can move on from that. If we are ever in the same team, I wouldn't have a problem.' Footage of that Leniu embrace sparked a fresh slew of headlines. Mam has been no stranger to them in his young career. Not all of them have been positive. Few figures in Australian sport have ridden a rollercoaster quite like Mam's past 24 months. In the 2023 grand final, for all but the last 20 minutes, the Brisbane playmaker was the best on ground. However, a late Nathan Cleary masterclass wrenched away not only a premiership ring, but also a Clive Churchill medal. Then there was the Leniu incident, and the media storm that ensued. Yet nothing could prepare him for what was to come. On October 18, 2024, Mam was behind the wheel of his ute when it collided with an Uber at Bardon. A child and a woman suffered minor injuries and while Mam tested positive to cocaine at a roadside drug test, he passed the breathalyser test with no alcohol involved in the incident. The 22-year-old pleaded guilty in Brisbane Magistrates Court to one count of driving while relevant drug is present in blood, and driving without a licence. He left court with a suspended license and $850 lighter, but without a conviction. The NRL and the Broncos then applied sanctions of their own, totalling fines of $120,000, as well as a nine-game ban. When asked about what he has learnt from the incident, he offered: 'In hindsight, I didn't think about how my actions can impact others. 'Obviously I'm trying my best to learn from that now, I'm here to make better decisions for myself. 'There's no excuse for my actions, I've got to own that now. I'm still learning to deal with everything. I feel very remorseful for everything that happened. 'For me, I was dealing with stuff in the wrong way. I need to learn from that. That's how I grow as a person. Experiences like this, you can take a lot away from it and I feel like I've taken a lot away from this situation to improve myself in many different ways.' In handing down his sentence, Magistrate Mark Nolan chided Mam for taking 'a cocktail of cocaine and other matters that were found in your blood'. It is a comment that has been seized upon in much of the subsequent reporting, and prompted some commentators to conclude the penalties were insufficient. While Mam makes no excuses for his behaviour, he clarified that the only substances detected in his blood outside of cocaine were 'Paracetamol and Ibuprofen', which were administered to him at the Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital. 'I shouldn't have driven,' he says. 'There was cocaine in my system, 0.01mg in my blood, which was from days earlier. That's my biggest regret, I wish I had not done that in the first place.' 'There's no excuse for my actions, I've got to own that now. I'm still learning to deal with everything.' Ezra Mam on the crash incident On legal advice, Mam has not been able to reach out directly to the victims of the accident. 'To be honest, I was more worried about everyone else than myself,' he says when asked if he feared his Broncos contract would be torn up. 'I just wanted to care for others in the accident, how they were first and foremost … 'For me now it's about getting back to who the real Ezra is. Doing the little things on and off the field the right way, continually working on myself to be a better person on and off the field. 'For me, I want that final goal, which is the grand final premiership. And to be a role model, for kids to look up to.' The last comment resonates. The personal growth Mam has undertaken since the incident hasn't been lost on Michael Maguire. 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'I'd wake up at 4:30am to train at 5am and then shoot over to work. I'd work from 6:30-7am to about 3:30-4pm and then be back to the gym. 'For me it was a big couple of months. A bit of carpentry, concreting, bit of everything. I learnt a lot of skills on the way. Coming back into Q Cup, working every day, I'm privileged to be doing what I love doing. 'As he goes through this period, he will learn how to lead, not just through the organisation, but also his own people of the Torres Strait Island.' Broncos coach Michael Maguire 'That's what I've been doing since I was a young kid, I'm very fortunate to be back playing and doing what I love to do.' Just four NRL games into Mam's return, Queensland coach Billy Slater called him into his wider squad for Origin II. The decision hasn't gone down well with everyone, particularly those who believe he should have paid a greater penance. Loading 'I'm really self-focused on the moment, looking to better myself,' he says. 'I appreciate that others may be upset. I can't control other people's thoughts, all I can do is hopefully start to rebuild some integrity over time with my actions. If I'm allowed to play, obviously I'll play. 'I was very surprised and grateful for the [Maroons] opportunity and took it with both hands. 'When [Slater] calls, it's hard to deny a chance to go into the Origin squad, you always say yes. It was a good experience for me.' During a career that has spanned just 60 games, Mam has already endured a bumpy ride. The destination remains unknown, but he is excited about what comes next.
The Age
8 hours ago
- The Age
‘I shouldn't have driven': Ezra Mam reflects on that crash, Leniu, and the lessons learned
'Definitely. We've had a chat, and we're comfortable with each other now,' Mam says. 'The biggest thing is that we addressed it. I feel for Spencer, too, it would not have been an easy thing to deal with, either. 'I really respect him for coming up to me and we can move on from that. If we are ever in the same team, I wouldn't have a problem.' Footage of that Leniu embrace sparked a fresh slew of headlines. Mam has been no stranger to them in his young career. Not all of them have been positive. Few figures in Australian sport have ridden a rollercoaster quite like Mam's past 24 months. In the 2023 grand final, for all but the last 20 minutes, the Brisbane playmaker was the best on ground. However, a late Nathan Cleary masterclass wrenched away not only a premiership ring, but also a Clive Churchill medal. Then there was the Leniu incident, and the media storm that ensued. Yet nothing could prepare him for what was to come. On October 18, 2024, Mam was behind the wheel of his ute when it collided with an Uber at Bardon. A child and a woman suffered minor injuries and while Mam tested positive to cocaine at a roadside drug test, he passed the breathalyser test with no alcohol involved in the incident. The 22-year-old pleaded guilty in Brisbane Magistrates Court to one count of driving while relevant drug is present in blood, and driving without a licence. He left court with a suspended license and $850 lighter, but without a conviction. The NRL and the Broncos then applied sanctions of their own, totalling fines of $120,000, as well as a nine-game ban. When asked about what he has learnt from the incident, he offered: 'In hindsight, I didn't think about how my actions can impact others. 'Obviously I'm trying my best to learn from that now, I'm here to make better decisions for myself. 'There's no excuse for my actions, I've got to own that now. I'm still learning to deal with everything. I feel very remorseful for everything that happened. 'For me, I was dealing with stuff in the wrong way. I need to learn from that. That's how I grow as a person. Experiences like this, you can take a lot away from it and I feel like I've taken a lot away from this situation to improve myself in many different ways.' In handing down his sentence, Magistrate Mark Nolan chided Mam for taking 'a cocktail of cocaine and other matters that were found in your blood'. It is a comment that has been seized upon in much of the subsequent reporting, and prompted some commentators to conclude the penalties were insufficient. While Mam makes no excuses for his behaviour, he clarified that the only substances detected in his blood outside of cocaine were 'Paracetamol and Ibuprofen', which were administered to him at the Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital. 'I shouldn't have driven,' he says. 'There was cocaine in my system, 0.01mg in my blood, which was from days earlier. That's my biggest regret, I wish I had not done that in the first place.' 'There's no excuse for my actions, I've got to own that now. I'm still learning to deal with everything.' Ezra Mam on the crash incident On legal advice, Mam has not been able to reach out directly to the victims of the accident. 'To be honest, I was more worried about everyone else than myself,' he says when asked if he feared his Broncos contract would be torn up. 'I just wanted to care for others in the accident, how they were first and foremost … 'For me now it's about getting back to who the real Ezra is. Doing the little things on and off the field the right way, continually working on myself to be a better person on and off the field. 'For me, I want that final goal, which is the grand final premiership. And to be a role model, for kids to look up to.' The last comment resonates. The personal growth Mam has undertaken since the incident hasn't been lost on Michael Maguire. 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'I'd wake up at 4:30am to train at 5am and then shoot over to work. I'd work from 6:30-7am to about 3:30-4pm and then be back to the gym. 'For me it was a big couple of months. A bit of carpentry, concreting, bit of everything. I learnt a lot of skills on the way. Coming back into Q Cup, working every day, I'm privileged to be doing what I love doing. 'As he goes through this period, he will learn how to lead, not just through the organisation, but also his own people of the Torres Strait Island.' Broncos coach Michael Maguire 'That's what I've been doing since I was a young kid, I'm very fortunate to be back playing and doing what I love to do.' Just four NRL games into Mam's return, Queensland coach Billy Slater called him into his wider squad for Origin II. The decision hasn't gone down well with everyone, particularly those who believe he should have paid a greater penance. Loading 'I'm really self-focused on the moment, looking to better myself,' he says. 'I appreciate that others may be upset. I can't control other people's thoughts, all I can do is hopefully start to rebuild some integrity over time with my actions. If I'm allowed to play, obviously I'll play. 'I was very surprised and grateful for the [Maroons] opportunity and took it with both hands. 'When [Slater] calls, it's hard to deny a chance to go into the Origin squad, you always say yes. It was a good experience for me.' During a career that has spanned just 60 games, Mam has already endured a bumpy ride. The destination remains unknown, but he is excited about what comes next.
Daily Telegraph
a day ago
- Daily Telegraph
TV star abruptly ends interview: ‘Hanging up'
Don't miss out on the headlines from Reality. Followed categories will be added to My News. Teresa Giudice unceremoniously cut off an interview when asked about tax liens totalling over $US3 million ($4.6 million). In a clip shared via X Friday, the Real Housewives of New Jersey star, 53, fielded questions from local anchor Larry Potash at WGN9 in Chicago during a remote interview. 'How is it that a family doesn't pay their taxes for years?' Potash asked. 'Is that what the fraud charges were?' 'Um, who's – what family are you talking about?' the Bravo star asked, to which he replied, 'Your family.' Teresa Giudice abruptly ended a TV interview after she was asked a tax fraud question. 'OK,' Giudice said before attempting to end the video stream. 'Let's just hang up. That's it,' she said. Text reading 'Teresa's iPhone' could then be seen on the screen as the call ended. 'She didn't like that question,' marvelled Potash. 'Yeah. Well,' responded his co-anchor in the awkward clip. In an X re-post of the video, Potash quipped, 'In the words of one of our viewers, she evaded that question like …taxes.' Teresa, who was jailed for fraud charges in 2015, was not impressed with the question and immediately hung up. A black screen soon appeared, much to the shock of the hosts. Giudice owes $US303,889.20 ($470,000) in tax liens, according to documents obtained by Page Six back in March. Her husband, Louis 'Luis' Ruelas, whom she married in 2022, owes upwards of $US2.6 million ($4 million). The former Dancing With the Stars star was married to Joe Giudice for 20 years before their 2020 split. And prior to that, both served time in prison for mail, wire and bankruptcy fraud. Teresa was behind bars for 11 months in 2015. Joe, meanwhile, spent two years in prison before being released in 2019 and subsequently deported to his birthplace of Italy. Teresa served 11 months behind bars for mail, wire and bankruptcy fraud. Picture:/AFP Her now ex -husband husband Joe Giudice served two years in prison in the US before being deported to Italy in 2019. Picture: Getty Images Teresa (centre) has been a mainstay cast member on The Real Housewives of New Jersey since Season 1 in 2009. Picture: Tommy Garcia/Bravo The former couple shares daughters Gia, Gabriella, Milania and Audriana. Teresa's lookalike daughter Gia, 24, downplayed the family debt during a March episode of her Casual Chaos iHeart podcast. 'Let's start from the beginning,' she said. 'My mum has been the sole provider for my sisters and I since the minute my father [Joe] left for prison. The second my mum got home from jail, she has been working her arse off to make sure that my sisters and I live a stable life and that my family is financially stable.' Gia continued, saying she 'can't stress enough' how hard her 'mum has worked' and assured her listeners that 'everything will be resolved.' 'My mum has everything under control, and there's nothing to worry about,' she explained. This article originally appeared in Page Six and was reproduced with permission Originally published as Real Housewives star Teresa Giudice abruptly ends live TV interview when asked personal question
