2. Why Sikh Discrimination? The main reason for choosing Sikh discrimination as a topic was that I have experienced it first hand. I got discriminated against on my first day of kindergarten by fellow classmates because I wore a Patka, a head covering worn by Sikh children, and had long hair. My father, while stopped at a red light, was called a terrorist my two employees of the United States Postal Service because he wore a turban.
3. Who are Sikhs? Sikhs are the followers of the religion Sikhism. The holy scripture for Sikhs is the Guru Granth Sahib Ten Gurus of Sikhism have contributed in the development. Spiritual guidance from the Guru Granth Sahib which explains the main beliefs of Sikhism. Monotheistic religion
4. Sikhism’s Five Articles of Faith There are five articles (Five K’s) that baptize Sikhs and must be worn at all times. Kesh- uncut hair Kanga- a wooden comb Kara- an iron bracelet Kachera- a specific style of cotton underwear Kirpan- a strapped curved sword Sikhs may be discriminated against the turban, which covers the Kesh, and the kirpan.
5. Thesis The existence of discrimination against Sikhs is showing that intolerance of other religions is still existent in many places. The moral ideals that are taught in society are to accept everyone and not to discriminate, but the truth is that it still occurs. Sikhs are being discriminated in the work force, facing religious discrimination in schools, and are being victims of stereotypes that are continuing to occur even though it has been nine year after 9/11.
6. Discrimination in the Work Force There are many incidents where Sikhs have been denied job due to their religion devotion. AmricSingh Rathour was fired from the New York Police Department (NYPD) because he refused to shave his beard and not wearing his turban. Citizenship Status Discrimination Someone has the required skills for the job, they might be rejected based on their citizenship status National origin discrimination and document abuse
7. Discrimination in Schools Sikh children wear patkas, turbans, karas, kirpans, and other noticeable items and become victims of discrimination because of their physical attributes. 15 year old Sikh high school student’s hair was forcibly cut by a fellow Muslim student. The tormentor said, “I have to cut your hair.” Jagmohan, , a student at Richmond Hill High School in Queens, New York, received a facial contusion after a bully untied his patka and punched him several times with a key that was between his knuckles.
8. Discrimination in School Statistics Three out of fours Sikhs boys have been harassed due to their religious identity Over 40% of Sikh students who wear turbans or patkas have gone through some form of harassment, either it being hitting, punching, or disrespectful touching of the head Approximately one third of the complaints that Sikh students address to school personnel are disregarded and nothing is ever done to solve the issue
9. Stereotypes Against Sikhs After 9/11, people started to link the word “terrorism” with Sikhs because their physical features resembled terrorist suspects. Many Sikhs wear turbans, a head covering for Sikh adults, and are facing extremely cruel behavior from people that believe that Sikhs are terrorists. This idea that whoever wears a turban is a terrorist and is a Muslim makes more Sikhs prone to be discriminated against.
10. Conclusion Sikhs have been facing discrimination for an extremely long time and is continuing after all the information available from historical events. Discrimination in the workplace, in schools, and have become victims of many stereotypes. These are serious issue and problems that need to affirmative action and recognition. If this issue gets the recognition it deserves, this can ultimately change the lives of many Sikhs.
11. Work Cited "Another Sikh Boy Suffers Hate Assault in New York City School." School Has a History of Anti-Sikh Violence .N.p., n.d. Web. 19 Dec 2010. Miller, Todd. Employment Discrimination.Philadelphia Sikh Society Temple. Newcomer Equal Employment Rights Program (NEER). 12 December 2010 "NRI Sikh, Amric Singh Rathour Suing New York Police Department on the grounds of religious discrimination."N.p., 05 Jun 2005. Web. 14 Dec 2010. <http://www.nriinternet.com/NRI_Discrimination/USA/After%20Sep% 2011/CasesUpdatkmkkmed/RathoreCopfired/indexRathour.htm>. Sidhu, Dawinder S., Neha Singh. Gohil, and Amy Chua. Civil Rights in Wartime: the Post-9/11 Sikh Experience. Farnham, Surrey, England: Ashgate, 2009. Print. "Sikh Boy's Hair Forcibly Cut In Hate Attack." The Sikh Coalition the voice of a people. N.p., 25 May 2007. Web. 18 Dec 2010. "Sikhism: Mistaken Turban: Do Not Relate Turban with Terrorism." Sikhism: Beliefs and Principles of Sikhism - Sikh Religion. Web. 15 Dec. 2010. <http://www.realsikhism.com/index.php?subaction=showfull&id=11936 96645&ucat=5>.
