Recently Sukhjit Kaur Khalsa has gotten some major notoriety for being passed on to the next round on 'Australia's Got Talent'. She first inspired us in 2012 with her appearance as a uniquely courageous voice moving her bullies to tears instead of reacting like it is so easy to do. Then she moved us to tears with her Youth Parliament speech. She continued to inspire with her submissions to the film festival. But now she's got the attention of the average Australian. She moved the judges to tears talking about discrimination with her powerful spoken word performance. Now she's preparing for a major personal test in her next national TV appearance this Sunday. SikhNet got a chance to speak with her recently:
Sukhjit Kaur Khalsa, you are a woman with a message. What would you say your message is?
Yes, it's that message of courage to face our fears. Standing up for what we believe in. Standing up for human rights. The right to live in a country and belong to a country. Practicing Sikhi in our everyday lives with love and compassion.
Remembering that Guru Nanak Dev Ji was a rebel for his time. He shifted the paradigm. Even when society was against him, he wasn't afraid to share what he believed in.
In a post 9/11 era, I've grown up in a society that can be harmonious and accepting as well as intolerant and discriminatory.
We have the power to educate and sometimes people forget there are different avenues you can do that in. Before the shut down the arts, and the road less traveled - maybe it's time to open up our minds to a new progressive way of thinking!
It seems that you do not have fear in calling it how you see it when it comes to attacks on the Sikh identity.
A lot of people in our community are proud to be a Sikh and are proud to share that message with society but when they are tested at a point where they get racist comments spat at them. What do they do with that anger? They turn it into hatred for 'the other' and shoot fire right back! I don't think that is the Sikh way to deal with things. We need to spread awareness strategically with love, compassion, and creativity.
My message isn't about igniting anger in those who have ever received discrimination in the past. My message is about igniting passion to make a positive change. Standing up as a Sikh with Sikh values and a Sikh upbringing and using those tools to help those who are voiceless. The disabled. The marginalized. Those persecuted due to their religion, gender, race, sexuality, etc.
Your views are certainly refreshing. You are very brave.
It's weird, I assume everyone thinks like this so it doesn't honestly feel like I'm doing anything revolutionary or brave so when people are like 'KIA BAAT', I'm like 'BUT YOU CAN DO IT TOOO!!'
That sounds like another message right there.
You can respond to racism/sexism/discrimination is a compassionate way. You can be loud and proud of your identity. You can be a leader in your community. You can be a lioness.
Thank you, we love your messages. Now, are you nervous for Sunday?
Yes, I am extremely nervous for Sunday as this poem is next level controversial and I can guarantee no one has tackled this issue on Aussie commercial television. It isn't just a nerve racking thing for the competition but it's a massive risk to take for a young Sikh girl. Will people look beyond the exterior and understand my message? Will older generation be exposed to something they never considered? When I walk down the street will I be abused more? Bit I am excited for the power this message could bring to empower women and men to be free in their expression.
Thank you Sukhjit, it was very nice to speak with you. Best of luck on Sunday!
Editor's note: Australians will be able to vote for Sukhjit from Sunday until mid day Monday.