What's the Difference?

What's the Difference?

My friends and followers of Nanak, we may not agree on many things and have varying opinions about most every subject but as Sikhs we can agree on one fact, the truth. The truth was held in high regard by Guru Nanak, and therefore I ask you, as Sikhs to walk with me two steps in regards to the truth.

Thursday, April 05, 2012: Within the last couple of months two young innocent men lost their lives, Jaspal Singh and Trayvon Martin here is the truth about both:

At quick glance there are many similarities between Trayvon Martin and Jaspal Singh. Both were young (17/18) men part of a minority group, both were unarmed when their lives were tragically ended with a bullet. In each case the families wondered why this could happen, how it could happen, and most importantly what will be done about it?

Last week (after emailing almost every Sikh organization I know, and not receiving a single reply) I posted a petition seeking acknowledgement and condemnation by the United States for the death of Jaspal Singh, the target was to get to 5000 signatures, few days later we are barely at 700. Trayvon Martin also has a petition for justice the target is 2.5 million in which there are 2,236,757 signatures.

THAT is the difference! That in itself is the difference between these two innocent young men losing their lives, the community response. In Trayvon’s case all African American organizations were called to action, they condemned it strongly; they made sure that every one of their supporters was aware of the issue. They used media to make sure that Trayvon was a national, even international household name. They held protests, marches and rallies to seek justice, to shed light on what had transpired and demanded justice.

In the case of Jaspal Singh there is a deafening silence from all Sikh organizations. Justice seems like it’s a long shot, without much community support in a tragedy like this. Sikh organizations don’t feel the need to be called into action, not with just one innocent person losing their life, they stand silently waiting and watching. Each organization wants its stamp, its recognition on whatever matter it takes up, and for this matter there is not much fanfare, there are only headaches and hardships to pursue justice in a broken system. So what is done? We give up before the fight even starts, seems like the safest option, rather to have a failed attempt in which we may look bad, let’s not try at all.

To the family of Trayvon, I can only imagine your loss, but with community support you will get justice. He is a household name in the US, because of African American organizations putting the pressure on the media it was not ignored, it triggered discussion’s about race relations, injustice and tolerance. His name will most likely be on the bill that will change the law which has so far allowed the perpetrator of the crime to be free. Organizations who stood behind you steadfastly will allow you the platform for continued support and continued persistence until the matter is addressed.

To the family of Jaspal, I am sorry for the lack of community support. I am sorry that not one organization has stood behind you, I am sorry we only have 700 signatures on a simple petition, I am sorry the media in India is quiet about an innocent person being killed. I am sorry that your son’s name may not even be known in all of Punjab let alone all of India. I am sorry that the Sikhs and the Sikh organizations may and most likely will forget, we have forgot hundreds of thousands, so one more is not a stretch for us. I am sorry that one more innocent life lost will not change a corrupt system of justice.

Its not that Jaspal’s life was worth any less than Trayvon’s it’s just that we as a community are numb; we don’t know how to feel again, we don’t feel that it’s worth the effort to shed light on this one particular issue at this time. I am also confident that many years from now, we will look back at this moment and wish we could have done more, and in that guilt we will take the picture of Jaspal Singh and hang it somewhere in the corner or our langar halls, and as we eat langar we may even look at it from time to time and wonder why it’s not hung straight or has so much dust on it. After a decade, of turmoil re-living this moment again and again without much community support, when you are handed a small check from the government as compensation for your son’s invaluable life please know that I am truly, deeply sorry that the Sikhs of today are mere shadows of what we once were, where we did not beg for justice, we made sure it was served. Truly a day of shame for the Sikh Nation, for the followers of Nanak who have turned their back on the truth, on the one thing that we all could agree on……..

Petition to the US Department of State to condemn this human rights violation below, please also take a moment and sign Trayvon's petition for justice.