Faith
U.S. Marines & Sikhs: Uniform Matters
by ANDREW BOWEN
The author has embarked on a personal journey of learning about other faiths. To understand Sikhi, he has gone about his quest in a unique way: immersion. For a specific period, he has adopted the Sikh articles of faith in order to experience first hand what it means to be a Sikh in a society in which, invariably, he is a minority. This is the second of his observant and insightful pieces we are presenting to you, the first being "Kirtan: The Song of The Sikhs".
One of the most pervasive jokes about United States Marines is how neat and particular they are. Nowhere is this concept more pronounced than Basic Training. Everything must be just so: Your rack (bunk or bed) must be made to certain dimensions, boots shined (when they used black “jungle boots”) to a specific sheen, your face shaved a specific way, every ribbon, medal, chevron, lace, thread placed exactly so, every rifle movement had to snap and pop in perfect unison.
We, the recruits, would lie in bed at night groaning about how none of these anal rules made any sense. “Why can’t I scratch an itch?” was a common complaint. The worst thing was, the Drill Instructors seldom gave us a reason … but we were always told the reason would save our lives.
In many ways, Sikhi culture - especially the youth - face the same problem. An older generation may tell them how important it is to wear the Five K’s (comb, unshorn hair, the blade, special shorts, and the steel bracelet), but the youth are left wondering why. The problem is especially profound here in America, where the younger generation is raised as a cultural minority. They may ask themselves:
Why don’t other people observe these practices?
All my friends are talking about shaving now. Why can’t I?
Will everyone make fun of me because of my hair/turban?
I’m the only Sikh in my school. I just want to fit in and stop being looked at differently …
Regardless of the importance in wearing the Five K’s, I think these are worthy and legitimate concerns that every Sikh family should address with their children. Growing up is about discovering who you are in the world, what your role is, and staking out that existence. If you as a parent or influential adult simply say, “We wear the Five K’s because Guru Gobind Singh told us to,” then you’ll lose your kids. No one likes that answer. We didn’t like it in Boot Camp and kids today certainly won’t either.
On the other hand, there are plenty of websites and articles talking about the so-called mystic and scientific reasons behind why growing out your hair is important. I’ve read several heart-felt letters from a man to his son about why wearing the Kesh (unshorn hair) and turban are so critical. Judging by the growing number of campaigns fighting to keep this tradition alive, the problem must be serious.
So my question for the Sikh youth (and even adults) is, why not? Why be ashamed of the Kesh or the turban? If youthful vibrance is about being bold, standing out, declaring your identity, why not embrace an aspect of your culture - your religion - that historically makes you so? Guru Gobind Singh once said that he established the uniform of the Khalsa that you might “Stand out as one among millions.”
And why should you stand out? What’s the big deal about being a Sikh? A Sikh stands up.
Remember how Guru Nanak spoke out boldly against the religious persecution of the Mughal invaders and demanded human equality?
Or how about how Guru Amar Das, in observing strict equality, said that even the Emperor of India had to first sit among and eat with the lowest of society before meeting the Guru?
Oh, and then there’s Guru Tegh Bahadur who laid down his life in order to protect the religious freedom of a religion other than his own?
And what about every Sikh martyr - men and women - who have fought (both in legal matters and on the battlefield) for the identity you struggle with today?
When you take the Amrit baptism, you aren’t simply initiated into a faith, it’s a pledge of allegiance to an ideal and a culture. The Five K’s are your uniform.
Conversation about this article
1: Satvir Kaur (Boston, MA, U.S.A.), September 23, 2011, 9:58 AM.
It's good to hear it from a different perspective. I hope we can present the case for Amrit and Sikhism to our children in the same clear way.
2: Harvind Singh (U.S.A.), September 23, 2011, 11:00 AM.
Very insightful and important for all Sikhs today. I thank you for this heartfelt essay. In reading this it seems to me that you do understand the message of the Guru, and Waheguru has blessed you.
3: Kulpreet Singh (London, United Kingdom), September 23, 2011, 11:29 AM.
Andrew: First of all, my sincere thanks for taking up the articles of Sikh faith to better understand us. It may not have been easy for you, but hopefully it was worth it. I agree with your comments in the last paragraph - 'If you are a Sikh youth and wavering on this issue, I humbly suggest you really explore your reasons for not wearing the Five Ks.'
4: Baldev Singh (Bradford, United Kingdom), September 23, 2011, 12:20 PM.
What a feature!
5: Harinder (Uttar Pradesh, India), September 24, 2011, 9:45 AM.
America is the home to so many Sikhs. It is the duty of all Sikh-Americans to safe-guard their great nation from harm. No sacrifice is too much for your motherland.
6: Iknoor Singh (Queens, New York, U.S.A.), September 24, 2011, 10:19 AM.
A wonderful read. Every Sikh youth should read this article to really understand why we wear turbans and 5Ks.
7: Baldev Singh (Bradford, United Kingdom), September 24, 2011, 11:54 AM.
Wear any of the 5K's is not a 'tradition', and is never meant to be a 'forced' thing. They come with a 'code of conduct' and responsibility.
8: Inderpreet (U.S.A.), September 24, 2011, 1:25 PM.
Good read. The older generation (including myself) were taught with "becauseitoldyouso" mentality. That no longer works. If we want to preserve Sikhism in it's correct form, we have to get back to basics. Also, education, insight, and informed teachers. I have started losing faith in Sikhs, as most practice Hindu rituals while reciting Sikh scriptures. As great as Sikhism is, it is also simple. I see lots of 5K's but few Sikhs!
9: Baldev Singh (Bradford, United Kingdom), September 24, 2011, 11:28 PM.
Hindu rituals are perfect for uneducated, superstitious and casteist Indians who need Hindu signs and symbols to purportedly ward off bad luck and death, but these have no place in the House of Nanak and Gobind Singh.
10: Rosalia Scalia (Baltimore, Maryland, U.S.A.), September 25, 2011, 1:16 AM.
I'm not Sikh, but consider this a wonderful article. Conformity, non-conformity touches every life, regardless of one's ethic or religious background. The most important sentence: A Sikh stands up. If only everyone could have a bit of Sikhi in them so as not to be afraid of anything to stand up. I dare say, the entire world would be a much better place for all. Thank you, Andrew Bowen, for the essay and to sikhchic.com for sharing it.
11: Baldev Singh (Bradford, United Kingdom), September 25, 2011, 11:50 AM.
Rosalia ... the fact that you read this article and 'understand' what is being said and have formed the opinion that the entire world would be a better place with even a bit of Sikhi in them, puts you in the 'Sikh' camp and psyche and you are a 'Sikh' worthy and better than those who purport to be or label themselves 'Sikh' when they have less understanding of Sikhi than you.
12: M. Kaur (New York, U.S.A.), September 25, 2011, 12:20 PM.
Thank you, Mr. Bowen, for putting it all in perspective. Perhaps we need a fresh, 'on-the-outside-looking-in' viewpoint to drive home what we've been overlooking all these years. I hope more young people read this and figure out that 'hey, this is not such a bad idea to be born into'. Please continue to share these insights with us.