the sikh coalition confidential & proprietary 1 sikh awareness program april 2004
TRANSCRIPT
1The Sikh Coalition Confidential & Proprietary
Sikh Awareness Program
April 2004
<Presenter>
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Who are the Sikhs?
Sikh means “student” or “disciple” Sikhism is world’s 5th largest religion, after Christianity, Islam,
Hinduism, and Buddhism 26 million Sikhs worldwide
— 20 million in Punjab— 1 million in North America
99 % of the people wearing turbans in America are Sikhs
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Guru Nanak: Birth of a Revolutionary
Punjab (the land of Five Rivers) Born in 1469; Village Talwandi Socio-political environment
— Land divided by religion— Ruled by invaders from Persia & Afghanistan— Rich exploited the poor— Castes: Untouchables had no rights— Women had no role— Superstitions & Rituals
Guru means “Spiritual Enlightener” Spread the revelation across 8000 miles on foot Defender of human rights and equality Tolerant of other’s perspective and freedom of choice Often used metaphor and analogy to communicate
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There is One God for all of creation, a loving Creator attainable through the Grace
Loving remembrance and devotion of the One Absolute equality of humanity Living a moral, truthful and hardworking existence Selfless service towards the entire Creation Humility and loving action Defending the rights of the downtrodden and oppressed
Basic Sikh Beliefs
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The Sikh Revolution Timeline
Columbus discovers America
Guru Nanak(1469-1539)
Golden Temple Foundation(1588)
Adi Granth Compiled(1604)
Martyrdom Guru Arjan Dev(1606)
Guru Gobind Singh(1666-1708)
Martyrdom Guru Tegh Bahadur(1606)
Creation of Khalsa -5 K’s(1699)
Maharaja Ranjit Singh(1780-1839)
Guru Nanak was followed by nine Gurus (same spirit).
1400
AD
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Evolution of Distinct Identity
Distinct script – Gurmukhi Distinct community - Sangat, Pangat, Dharamsala
— Education, — Physical well being (wrestling)
Liberation and empowerment of women — Against Sati (widow immolation), Pardah (Veil) — Supported widow remarriage
Manji (Seats of Authority) system (22 Manjis)— 4 women bishops and preachers— Collection of money for social/religious causes (daswand)
Distinct Ceremonies (birth, naming, marriage) People of the Book
— Adi Granth compiled and installed by the Fifth Guru Miri Piri (Temporal – Spiritual)
— Sikhs were to lead active lives both in temporal and spiritual realms
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Formalization of Identity
Baisakhi 1699 Baisakhi 1699 Concept of Khalsa Concept of Khalsa
— Saint Soldier Saint Soldier — 5 K’s5 K’s— Dedicated to service of HumanityDedicated to service of Humanity
AmritAmrit— A public declaration and— A private commitment
Singhs and Kaurs— Caste/Class less society
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Guru Granth and Guru Panth
After Guru Gobind Singh, the tenth Guru Spiritual Guru, Sri Guru Granth Sahib (The Sikh
scripture)— 1430 pages— The Gurus’ Experience of the Divine— Also included were consistent teachings from Hindu and Muslim
saints— Gurmukhi script
Temporal Guru, Guru Khalsa Panth
(the charismatic Sikh community)
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Articles of Faith
5 K’s – mandatory articles of faith
Kesh – Uncut hair Kirpan – Religious sword Karra – Steel bracelet Kangha – Wooden comb Kachehra – Boxer shorts Kangha
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Dastaar – the Turban
Mandatory – not a social or cultural article.
Symbolic of sovereignty of humans. Always be recognized and duty
bound to offer help. Sikhs wearing it for the last 500
years. Removal of turban in public is
tantamount to a strip search. Stand for social justice of all people.
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Gurudwara – “Door” to the “Guru”
Everyone welcome Services typically held on Weekends Language – Punjabi Langar (Community Kitchen) Local Contact Information Planned Visits
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Sikhs in North America
Arrived around late 1890’s Places
— California, Oregon and Washington— British Columbia
Farming & Lumber Industry Immigration Barriers by 1920’s
San Francisco Chronicle, April 6, 1899Vancouver Diamond Jubilee 1897 Hong Kong Regiment
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Sikhs in America
1920’s – 1950’s — Reverse Immigration— Freedom struggle against British imperialism— Partition of Punjab 1947 bw. India and Pakistan
1950’s – today— End of immigration controls— Professionals, Extended Families— Refugees (1980’s and 1990’s)
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Some Sikh Public Faces
Gurbax Singh MahliFirst Turbaned Sikh in Canadian Parliment
Narinder Singh KapaniFather of Fiber Optics
Palbinder KaurHuman Rights Lawyer
Baltej Singh DhillonFirst Turbaned Sikh in Royal Canadian Mounted Police
T Sher SinghRecognized with the Order of Canada
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Some Sikh Public Faces
Amrit and Rabindra Kaur Artists
Colonel SekhonUnited States Army
Bhagat Singh ThindUS Army 1912
Nuvraj Singh BassiUniversity of OregonFootball Player
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CHALLENGES TODAY…..
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Challenges after September 11, 2001
HATE CRIMES and BIAS INCIDENTS Misunderstood and Targeted because of their turbans and appearance First 3 months – More than 250 hate crimes recorded Vandalism, assault – verbal/physical, fatalities Balbir Singh Sodhi – first victim of Post 9/11 Hate in Mesa, AZ His brother killed 9 months later in San Francisco, CA Events such as Iraq war continue to affect the community <provide local context>
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Challenges after September 11, 2001
EMPLOYMENT DISCRIMINATION Several cases of Sikhs being told to remove their turbans or
they will be fired Before 9/11 employment discrimination was the biggest civil
rights issue for Sikh-Americans, many are afraid that now hate crimes have gone down, employment discrimination will go up.
Difficulties finding employment Racial Profiling – airports/transportation and law enforcement Reinforcement of stereotypes NYPD “no-turbans” policy
— The Sikh Coalition and Amric Singh Rathour filed a federal lawsuit challenging the New York Police Department’s (NYPD) “no turban” policy. Amric Singh was terminated by the NYPD in August 2001 for refusing orders to remove his turban and trim his beard, both required by his religion
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Challenges after September 11, 2001
SCHOOL HARASSMENT Since September 11, 2001, there has been a significant increase in
violent attacks and bullying of Sikh students. Many of these attacks are by middle school children. In Seattle,
Atlanta, New York, Maryland, Sikh children have been the target of violent attack because of their religion.
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Challenges after September 11, 2001
KIRPAN Since September 11, 2001, the Sikh Coalition has defended six Sikhs
who were prosecuted for wearing the kirpan from New York City to Wisconsin to Tennessee. Charges in all six cases were dismissed.
There is no criminal intent in wearing a kirpan. It an article of faith. There are exemptions in many jurisdictions for boy scouts or knives
salespersons to carry instruments whose blades are longer than the legal limit.
Before 9/11, Sikhs were generally not arrested for wearing the kirpan.
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France: Secularism?
On December 11, 2003, a commission appointed by the government of France, issued a report recommending that all “conspicuous articles of faith” in French public schools be banned.
These Signs Include:— Muslim Hijaabs— Sikh dastaars— Jewish Skullcaps— Christian Crosses
More than 5000 Sikhs live in the greater Paris area alone. This would effectively ban French Sikh children from being educated in
French public schools. No French Sikhs were amongst the more than 200 people interviewed in
the six month preparation of the recommendation to the French president
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For more information,
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