Red, White and Blues

Photo © [Gurumustuk Singh Khalsa]

Sikhs in the United States are a peaceful family oriented people whose focus centers on:

• Naam japna - remembering God through meditation.
• Kirat karo - earning an honest living.
• Vand chakko - seva, sharing and selfless service.

Sikhs have a unique appearance. Keeping hair and beard, wearing of turban and often traditional dress causes Sikhs to stand out, sometimes as a target of bias related incidents.

Sikh values at odds with western society may result in misunderstandings. Sikh children have been challenged by school authorities for wearing articles of faith. Fortunately in the United States of America freedom of religion is guaranteed and civil rights are upheld. Unfortunately Sikh children have sadly been the object of ridicule and subject bullying in the classroom setting. Bias related incidents include forced removal of a Sikh child’s turban then setting it afire, forcible cutting of a Sikh child’s hair considered to sacred to Sikhs, and physical assault causing bodily harm such as a broken nose.

Sikh American citizens of the United States are patriots proud both of their American citizenship and of their country. If you or any one you know has had civil rights violated or been the victim of a bias related incident, please report it using this form:
United Sikhs - Bias Incident Report & Brochure
Sikh Coalition - Report Bias Incident
Saldef - Report Bias Incident