Browsing Tag: Identity

“When we think of how we might prevent the tragedy that occurred at the Sikh gurudwara in Oak Creek, Wisconsin, we must look to the harassment endured by Sikh-American children in schools,” said Assistant Attorney General, Thomas E Perez, at a bullying prevention conference in California.

How do we create positive change out of a devastating loss?

In addition to these oft-reported incidents, thousands of others have experienced violent assaults motivated by racism, religious intolerance, sexism, ableism, gender identity, sexual orientation, or immigration status. It is time for our national leaders to address the increasing number of hate crimes and hate groups in America.

Since the tragedy at the gurudwara, or Sikh temple, in Oak Creek, local friends have been asking me questions about Sikhism and want me to summarize its teachings.

Local police and firefighters are scheduled to get cultural awareness training on Sikhism from U.S. Department of Justice workers Thursday and Friday.

Sometimes its better to stand out than fit in! You are you. Set the bar. Be yourself! Be Confident! Make a difference!

Sikhi understands suffering as a mental construct. One who is spiritually connected with the Divine does not suffer,...

Today, the Yuba City resident takes another approach by encouraging tolerance through education. Correcting ignorance, he said, is the only way to change the misconceptions and misunderstandings about his culture and his faith.

But Virdi, ... told students at John Deere Middle School in Moline during a MWAH! Performing Arts Troupe presentation that he knows what fuels such bullying: ignorance and hate. That also is what he blames for the mass shooting recently at a Sikh temple near Milwaukee.

Whatever the roots of Mr. Page’s hatred, it is wrong to assume that every attack against a Sikh is really meant for a Muslim. That assumption overlooks the long history of discrimination and hatred directed at Sikhs in America

The legacy of anti-Sikh violence and its contemporary prevalence make it painfully obvious that anti-Sikh violence is often purposeful and targeted.

The thirteen-year-old Bikramjeet Singh Bains of Surrey who has become the world's youngest writer to write this kind of book was presented a certificate of appreciation on behalf of the government of Canada by Minister Tim Uppal for his endeavors in academic discipline at this young age.

“Law Enforcement Training Video On Sikhism” is posted. The description of the video reads: Awareness of cultural and religious observations, including those of Sikhism, can help avoid misunderstanding and tension—assisting the public in understanding the challenges and realizing the contributions of the Sikh community in America.

I thought I had it rough. I never fathomed that I would wake up at 30 and see that the very ignorance and hatred I witnessed over a decade ago could be so deadly. Had these events taken place in my hometown of San Jose, my parents, who pay their respects daily, could have been inside the gurdwara. I immediately knew I needed to do something. This was not the America we all signed up for.

Trauma involves an inability to speak about a terrible experience immediately—only the passage of time can create room for expression. A unique identity starts developing for a community that acknowledges trauma. This is true even when members of the community might know about the trauma only indirectly,...

We're like a lost generation. Anyone here says I'm Indian, but in India people say I'm American. We're trying to make something so that Sikh boys and girls can show that they are proud of being Sikh, and give those kids an identity ... We're trying to blend into (American) society without losing our roots."

Manat Kaur is in many ways a typical 14-year-old, indistinguishable from others her age in her usual outfit of sneakers, jeans and T-shirt. But when asked, the soon-to-be high school freshman makes it a point never to hide her Sikh identity.

If we want a world where every person is treated with human dignity, the U.S. military, for one, must fully embrace what they profess to teach: respect for religious diversity.

The years I am talking about precede 9/11 by a decade. As far as I can see, post 9/11, it has become considerably easier to express and act on such prejudices. My point, though, is this: these prejudices have always existed in the United States, and they are not restricted to white supremacists.

I am not what you think I am.

"The Guru was beheaded before a big crowd," our grandparents would tell us. "When one brave man brought the Guru's head to his young son, his son asked, 'Were there any Sikhs in the crowd to stand up to this injustice?' The man said he didn't know. The young boy responded, 'From now on, Sikhs will never hide.'"

In light of all this, I have been inspired by the community's response to the violence. There is a general feeling that responding with hatred or vengeance will not solve anything, and Sikh organizations are leading the charge to bring the community together, support one another, and provide a unified message of love and compassion.

Then we found the tent where they were putting turbans on anyone who wanted one to promote cultural awareness. I fired off frame after frame. the light was perfect and the men who wrapped were artists with the cloth as i think you can see here. it was easily the best part of Canada day for me and proof that things change, if only slowly.

Living in Brooklyn, New York City as a turban-wearing Sikh, I attract plenty of negative attention from random strangers as well as the cops, which I’ve written about at length. Fortunately, I also get some love and respect from time to time as I walk or ride my bike in my neighborhood in central Brooklyn...

Over the years, I have learned different ways of dealing with the challenges. All of these experiences have made me who I am today, I wouldn’t trade them for anything. I know Gurdaas will have similar experiences growing up, and I know it will make him stronger.

We are all brought into this world with a clean slate and an open mind But as soon as we enter the world we are given an identity from a name to even what Religion we will follow

"I use the microphone as a catalyst of change, rhyming about social consciousness as well as cultural awareness."

The decision making tradition of Sarbat Khalsa was evolved during the first half of the 18th Century. It is likely to be revived and further developed through seminars like those arranged by the Sikh Research Institute.

“But, when you have a beard, a mustache, it’s like a mask. You can’t see the person’s face. It’s hidden.” As disagreeable as the words sounded, my friend’s tone was very gentle and civil. It was almost as if he was asking me the question: why bother?

This lack of familiarity with Sikhism can cause problems for young Sikhs. Most of them do not display all of the symbols all of the time, but they often have to explain the ones they do wear every day, usually the kesh and kara.