Current Events
I Am a Sikh-American Law Professor, Not a Terrorist
by SUKHSIMRANJIT SINGH
I wear a turban, I have a beard and I teach law at an American
university. I am not a terrorist. Yet every day I live with the
perception that men who wear turbans are bent on destruction. It's a
perception faced by Sikhs across the United States, since nine out of 10
of us wear turbans.
My turban is part of my identity; as a
Sikh, my religion requires me to wear it. That requirement was the same
one that two elderly men from Sacramento were following when they were
shot and fatally wounded while wearing their turbans.
Police found
Surinder Singh, 65, and Gurmej Singh Atwal, 78, on the sidewalk about 4:30
p.m. March 4, 2011, each with multiple gunshot wounds to the upper torso.
Surinder Singh was pronounced dead at the scene and last week Gurmej Singh died in a
hospital. Police and members of the local Sikh community believe the two Sikh-Americans were attacked because they allegedly looked like Islamic
fundamentalists.
I heard about the two victims minutes after I
had wrapped up a class on cross-cultural dispute resolution at the law
school in Salem where I teach. I had just shown a documentary called
"Divided We Fall," which included the details of the first hate crime
victim after 9/11. The victim was a Sikh. The attacks on Surinder Singh and Gurmej Singh Atwal
shocked me. Even after calls for tolerance of ethnic and religious
minorities, Sikh-Americans continue to be innocent victims.
The hatred and ignorance is
not exclusive to America.
While studying law at a university in
Hyderabad, India, I was the only Sikh male student on campus. On more
than a few occasions, other students taunted me solely because I was
the only one on campus who wore a turban. My "friends" suggested I cut
my hair and remove my turban forever. I was so distressed that I sought
advice from my father, a respected scholar who has worn a turban all his
life. I told him I was tired of being easily identified as a Sikh on my
small campus. I was exhausted from carrying the responsibility of our
traditions.
During a late-night call, my father set me straight.
He reminded me that during the Mughal Dynasty, Sikh Gurus sacrificed
their lives to stop the forceful conversion of Hindus to Islam. They
died fighting for justice and equal rights. Nevertheless, my father
granted me permission to take off my turban. But there was a catch: I
could do so as long as one of my "friends" agreed to wear it. His advice
worked. When I made the offer, my friends never teased me again.
The
challenges of wearing a turban continued after I came to America in
2005. On a trip to a grocery store in Oregon with my wife, I noticed a
woman consoling her young daughter while staring at me. As I listened, I
heard her say, "Be careful of him." Disheartened, I approached the
child, bent down, and said softly, "I am a nice man. I am Sikh. I came
from India and please don't be scared." She smiled, but when I returned
to my wife, she asked, "So how many people are you going to explain who
you are?"
It was a good point. The opportunity to explain is rare, and I
am seen by thousands more people than I can speak to. I am now in a
place where instead of making fun of me, people get scared of me.
I
wish I didn't have to explain. There is a great deal about Sikhism that
I wish Americans understood. I wish they knew how much of my religious
practice is consumed with my chosen academic discipline - conflict
resolution and peacemaking. Americans don't realize that on 9/11, I felt
miserable. I was sickened by the pictures and the devastation. I wish
it had never happened.
Even though wearing a turban isn't easy,
I feel incomplete without it. That 8-meter cloth on my head reminds me
of my devotion to the cause of peaceful living and higher thinking. I am
sure these thoughts went through the minds of Surinder Singh and Gurmej Singh Atwal as they
were taking their evening walk. Perhaps they were even thinking how
satisfied they were about their choice to move to America.
And then they
were shot.
Like them, I made the choice to move
thousands of miles away from my family in search of a better life. I had
heard about the courage of Americans and their tolerance for ethnic
minorities and different religions. For most of my stay, I have seen the
best of America. For the most part, I have felt welcomed. Except for
the times when I walk down the street and I know that someone may be
thinking I'm a terrorist.
Sukhsimranjit "Sukh" Singh is
associate director of the Center for Dispute Resolution at Willamette
University College of Law in Salem.
[Courtesy: Oregon Live]
May 6, 2011
Conversation about this article
1: H.S. Vachoa (U.S.A.), May 06, 2011, 9:47 AM.
"He reminded me that during the Mughal Dynasty, Sikh Gurus sacrificed their lives to stop the forceful conversion of Hindus to Islam. They died fighting for justice and equal rights." Prominent Hindus were part of the Mughal Dynasty. In fact, they formed the backbone of Mughals in India.
2: I.J. Singh (New York, U.S.A.), May 06, 2011, 9:49 AM.
A touching story, nicely and effectively told. It takes me back to my years in Oregon in the early to mid-1960's when I was possibly the only keshadhari Sikh in the whole state, except for an occasional Sikh passing through or visiting for a brief stint. Things are different and for the better. I carry fond memories of Oregonions - a small state but, in many ways, very open and progressive. This country remains a most open and tolerant society in spite of the pervasive ignorance and regressive incidents. The struggle for an equal place at the table continues.
3: Arya (Germantown, U.S.A..), May 06, 2011, 10:17 AM.
I'm a Hindu and soon to be daughter-in-law in a Sikh family. I cannot be more prouder then that a Sikh is defined as "any human being who faithfully believes in One Immortal Being, the Ten Gurus, and who does not owe allegiance to any other religion." Sikhs believe in the equality of humankind, the concept of universal brotherhood of man and One Supreme God (Ik Oankar). I'm so happy to read your story and proud how you stayed STRONG in the tough times you faced throughout but you carried your values so responsibly. I wish you all the best and may Baba Ji give you more power to stay strong on your beliefs. Waheguru ji ka Khalsa, Waheguru ji ki fateh.
4: Kamaldeep Singh (London, United Kingdom), May 06, 2011, 11:03 AM.
Please note that the words one uses become associated with the person regardless of there being a "Not" in front of it. Here the words "Sikh" and "Terrorist" are both being used at the same time and the same context, so people will subconsciously associate the two whether we like it or not. To illustrate the point, imagine if you will, meeting a new person for the first time and within two minutes of the conversation he says "I am not a thief". One is naturally going to become weary, even if he is being honest. With respect to the article, it highlights several valid points. Despite it being almost 10 years to the day since 9/11, the general population at large hardly knows much about Sikhi and whilst on an individual level we reach out, as this brother did, it is not the best way even if the heart is in the right place. We simply need strong, genuine leadership with financial backing to present Sikhi in a positive light. As a result, articles such as these would be resigned to the past, no matter how well meaning, and be replaced by people explaining how they came to find the absolutely beautiful and inclusive faith of Sikhi.
5: Navneet Kaur (Delhi, India), May 06, 2011, 11:16 AM.
Such a heart-touching story ... every one who reads this story would be proud of you. God bless you.
6: Nandy Kaur (Panama), May 06, 2011, 11:33 AM.
Your article touches the heart. We have to tell the people that Sikhism is the only religion that was born to fight with the evil of terrorism. The history of the sub-continent, from Babar to the modern day, reveals that Sikhs fought both Mughal, Hindu and British terrorism and gave their lives for others. The turban of the Sikh is a crown which gives him the ability to live a life of spirituality and moral values, and always be prepared to help others.
7: Jesroshan Singh (Malaysia), May 06, 2011, 12:14 PM.
I have a gut feeling that the Sarbat da bhalla concept may have to be dropped temporarily. Not forgotten, just dropped. We need to stop being concerned about other people and focus on ourselves. We are the Sikhs. I believe we are the best religion on Earth. Osama bin Laden practiced the concept of Islamic taqiya in which a Muslim may make a lie to mislead the public about non-Muslims to further their violent beliefs. The sons of Abraham have turned to evil.
8: Maninder Singh (India), May 06, 2011, 12:36 PM.
I really salute your bravery, sir, and pray to almighty Waheguru that he gives such a strong dedication towards our religion to all of us.
9: Simran Kaur Kalra (New Delhi, India), May 06, 2011, 1:16 PM.
It is such a heart wrenching incident that is narrated through this story. I belong to the same faith ... and take pride in being a Sikh!
10: Gurinder Singh (San Diego, California, U.S.A.), May 06, 2011, 7:37 PM.
I was in a local Walmart store a few years ago. I wear a turban and my beard was untied and flowing. A young girl started pointing at me and looking a little puzzled and apprehensive. Just then, her mother remarked, "Don't be scared dear! Jesus has a long beard too.". Well! That made my day :)
11: K. Singh (Massachusetts, U.S.A.), May 06, 2011, 10:06 PM.
Jeroshan ji: I do not understand how you suggest that Sarbat da Bhalla be dropped temporarily. Although I do understand your concern that Sikhs need to look after themselves and grow their respect in the world's eyes, I do not understand how a Sikh can be separated from the concept of Sarbat da Bhalla. It is an essential part of our daily ardaas, it is part of who we are. It is through seva and working for Sarbat da Bhalla, that Sikhi will survive and in fact flourish. When you do seva for others, the world will look at you as a Sikh and we will gain respect. It is through this responsibility that Sikhi will grow! You can't separate Sarbat da Bhalla from Sikhi, it is part of the whole essence. Keep in mind that throughout our history, we have always struggled, but even through those struggles we fought and even died for the rights of others. Guru Tegh Bahadar did not decide to grow the panth and forget about the Hindus, even though we were being oppressed at the time ... by Hindus as well! He realized we must fight for the rights of others ... in that is Sarbat da Bhalla, and the very quintessence of Sikhi. I know this is not fully thought out correctly, but I hope you get what I am trying to say. Bhul Chuk maaf karna,
12: Jesroshan Singh (Malaysia), May 07, 2011, 1:56 AM.
K.Singh ji: When Guru Tegh Bahadar's head was separated from his body to protect the right of Hindus to practice their faith, did we as the Sikhs get anything? Instead of thanking him, the Hindus, especially the Hill Rajas, intensified their attacks on Guru Gobind Singh. I don't wear a turban but Hindus here in Malaysia still don't understand that chapter in history where OUR Guru, Tegh Bahadar, sacrificed himself for their very existence. Is this how our sacrifices should be rewarded?
13: N. Singh (Canada), May 07, 2011, 10:55 AM.
Jesroshan Singh ji: Well said! There is no Sarbat Da Bhalla if there is no Panth. First and foremost Sikhs need to be whole and healthy, then and only then can they help others ... and by others I mean the rest of the world, not just Hindu India ... those that will be grateful and acknowledge our contribution, will help us when we need them and not just take and take and take ... Let us not be blind followers but thinkers ... that is how we will progress as a society and a nation.
14: K. Singh (U.S.A.), May 10, 2011, 4:59 PM.
Jeroshan Singh: I do not want to say I know my historical facts in 100% detail, but I would say it suffices to say the answer to your point is NO, we did not. However, it does not matter, not every action has or needs a reward, as long as you know you did the right thing.
15: Natalia (Zagreb, Croatia), May 18, 2011, 1:54 PM.
It's so much important to value your own identity and individuality and not to be ashamed of it. This article helped me to realize it one more time.