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| Viewpoints |
The
New Profilees: Law Enforcement Issues
for Sikh Americans in the Wake of
9/11 (Dec 2001) |
| The
Sikh community in the United States,
about 500,000 strong, has been deeply
shaken up by the events of 9/11. Most
Sikhs trace their family origins to
northern India, where the Sikh religion
originated 500 years ago. An integral
part of the Sikh faith is the wearing
of the turban, which is mandatory
for Sikh men and voluntary for Sikh
women. The turban and other articles
of faith make Sikhs highly visible
and obviously marked. |
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The
Sikh American Community: Challenges
Posed by 9/11 (Nov
2001) |
| American
politicians and prominent figures
in the mass media marvel at theseeming
unity and cohesion of the country.
Slogans like “United we stand”and
“God bless America” have
spread across the landscape, on cars,billboards,
advertisements, and in promotional
messages on television. Muchof this
patriotism is certainly benign and
perhaps even healthy – part of
the country’s effort to recover
from the devastating violence of 9/11. |
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Sikhism's
View on Rasicm (Feb
2001) |
| The
Sikh religious tradition strongly
opposes discrimination of any kind
based on a person’s race, ethnicity,
or skin color. Guru Nanak, the founder
of the Sikh tradition and his succeeding
Sikh Gurus were strong proponents
and practitioners of egalitarianism.
They upheld the practice of equality
and civil rights even at the cost
of personal sacrifice. |
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Singh
for President?-- The Status of a Religious
Minority in U.S. Political Life
(Oct 2000) |
| Though
the Sikh involvement in Indian politics
has in recent years been quite troubled,
there is no question that social and
political engagement has been an intrinsic
part of Sikh identity since the inception
of Sikhism 500 years ago. Sikhism
is sometimes referred to as a 'householder'
faith, emphasizing engagement in the
world rather than asceticism or adherence
to ritual. This 'worldliness' has
translated to a vigorous Sikh presence
in many walks of life in India, including
the military, agriculture, business,
and of course politics. Sikhs have
also been among the forerunners of
the South Asian Diaspora – settling
outside the Indian subcontinent in
disproportionate numbers. However,
the vibrant Sikh political culture
in India has had only mixed results
transplanted to the North American
environment, with new Sikh immigrants,
as well as their children and grandchildren. |
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