The Indian American Center for Political Awareness (IACPA) has won a significant victory by getting a major news network to air public service announcements (PSAs) denouncing hate-crimes against South Asians after one of its hosts made racially-biased remarks.

In December 2001, IACPA responded to offensive remarks made by hosts of a radio show on WNEW, based in New York City, which is owned by CBS. As a result, CBS has produced a PSA crafted by IACPA and Sikh community leaders. WNEW began airing the PSA on Feb. 13, and will do so for three weeks, twice a day, between 6 a.m. and 11 p.m.

The comments, made by the hosts of the ‘Opie and Anthony Show,’ referred to Sikh Americans as “diaper” and “towel” heads and questioned whether Sikh Americans had died by flying planes into the World Trade Center (WTC) buildings on Sept. 11. The comments were made on Nov. 21, 2001, during a three- to five-minute conversation between a Sikh-American caller and the radio hosts.

The Sikh American had called the radio show in response to the repeated use of the word “towel head” by the hosts. The caller asked the hosts to stop using the term “towel head,” fearing that the word would lead to stereotyping and reprisal attacks against Sikh Americans.

The radio hosts refused to stop using the word “towel head” and began using the word “diaper head.” The ‘Opie & Anthony Show’ is aired in more than 15 major metropolitan markets, including Washington, D.C., Chicago, Philadelphia, and Boston. WNEW is owned by Infiniti Broadcasting and is a subsidiary of media powerhouse CBS.

Gopal Raju, IACPA chairman, immediately sent a letter to WNEW calling for a meeting with its executives, IACPA, and Sikh-American groups to discuss the comments and develop a strategy to resolve the matter. WNEW responded with a letter of apology. Later, Rep. Jim McDermott, Washington Democrat and co-chair of the Congressional Caucus on India and Indian Americans, and Rep. Joe Crowley, New York Democrat, expressed concern regarding the incident and called on WNEW executives to meet with IACPA and Sikh-American leaders.

While IACPA said it understands that the Opie & Anthony show is provocative satire, the organizations are concerned that the comments about Sikh Americans, would perpetuate stereotyping and misunderstandings of the Sikh-American community and lead to further violent racial profiling and hate crime incidents. Two weeks after Sept. 11, more than 200 alleged hate crimes and racial profiling incidents were reported against the Sikh-American community. Balbir Sodhi of Mesa, Arizona, a Sikh, was the first person murdered as a result of backlash violence that came in the wake of the Sept. 11 attacks. The PSA goes like this : Voice One: During this time of national unity, we wanted to ask your help to stop the violence by Americans against Americans.

Voice Two: Since 9/11, hundreds of Americans have been victims of violent and deadly hate crimes across the United States. These crimes by Americans against Americans have occurred against innocent Muslim... South Asian and Sikh men, women and children simply because of the victims’ religion or outward appearance. These vigil anti-crimes have orphaned children and ruined countless lives.

Voice One: Attacking someone based on their religion, appearance or nationality is just wrong. It’s dumb; it is a crime, and when you are caught, you’ll do double the time.

Voice Two: Be a real hero — President Bush asked us all not to give into terror or fear. Let’s not let him down.

Voice One: A message from the Indian American Center for Political Awareness.

IACPA is a national nonprofit organization based in Washington, D.C. Its mission is increasing the participation of the Indian Americans in public policy and political awareness. It was established by Raju, founder and former editor of India Abroad newspaper.