THE SIKH COALITION

www.sikhcoalition.org

Who are the Sikhs?

• Asian Indians ( 2010 census) » Sikh ethnicity

Origin: Punjab Indian/Punjab PakistanHomeland: Kesghar of Anad Pur

-Father Guru Gobind Singh-Mother= Manta Sahib Kaur

“Renounce all previous lineages of caste, creed & religious affiliation”****• Language:

• Spoken» Punjabi

• Written» Gurumukhi Script

County of Origin: PUNJAB

Immigration to U.S.A

PUSH in water rates and land revenue

= mortgage land to moneylenders- could not pay back 3x amount

IN AMERICA/CANADA: Pay: $2.00/ day (Vs .30 cents in Punjab)

PULL: British recruitment

-Canada-Labor : Rail Roads : lumber industry-poor work conditions and broken promises

Sacramento

San Diego

Imperial Valley

1899-1920 : 7,348 Asian Americans immigrated

1899-1920 - 85% SIKHS-13% Muslim-2% Hindu

***** All Termed Hindus*****1910-1920 :

In Asian Indians by 33.5% - group of laborers threatening majority group

monopoly.

Location Location Location

• 1908 – Coastal Valleys

– Oregon – Washington

• Continue southern movement ( California)• San Joaquin Valley• Imperial Valley• Sacramento Valley

Gurdwara

SIKH TEMPLE ( Religious/ethnic enclave)

1901-1915 • Center of Immigration Movement

– Meet on weekends to think about common welfare» Welcome new and help them find jobs

Stockton California

Sikhism• 5th largest organized religion

• Blend of Islam and Hinduism

• Monotheistic• 15th century

• Guru Nanak Due• The Counsel of the Gurus

• 10 successive Gurus

Sikh= learners• God = Sat Nam

» TRUTH

. "There is only the One Supreme Lord; there is no other at all. Spirit, soul and body, all belong to Him; whatever pleases His Will, comes to pass" (Guru Granth Sahib Ji, 45).

• God has created a religion, a path, a faith, which brings one closer to God and helps one to unite with him.

• There is one endless God– “indescribable, inestimable, indubitable, infallible,

intangible, imperishable, immutable, immortal, immaculate, immanent, unconquerable, unique, formless, fearless, deathless, timeless, ageless, compassionate, omnipresent and creator of all.”

What does a Sikh look like?5 Articles of Faith (Kakaars )

• Purpose: To keep Sikhs united in pursuit of ideal life.-symbols of faith- bringing them closer to God

Kara: Bracelet made of steel. Worn to remind a Sikh that he or she is a servant of the Guru and should not do anything that may bring shame or disgrace.

Kangha : Worn in their hair. Serves as a constant reminder that the Sikh must remain socially committed and never practice asceticism.

KESHKeeping of hair in natural state :

- living in harmony with the will of God. Symbolic : Khalsa brotherhood and Sikh faith

They are to live the way God made them Turban is part of the instruction

*protect the hair- *keep a Sikh focused on his beliefs. * declares sovereignty, dedication, self-

respect, courage and piety

Kachhera: (Soldier's shorts) is linked to a high moral character and must be worn at all times. It reminds the Sikh of the need for self-restrain over passions and desires.

Kirpan: religious sword an initiated Sikh's solemn obligation of courage and self-defense.denotes dignity and self-reliance, the capacity and readiness to always defend the weak and the oppressed. It helps sustain one's martial spirit and the determination to sacrifice oneself in order to defend truth, oppression and Sikh moral values. ****mandated

The Sikh Coalition:

Open to all in need of civil rights protection reject caste systems

Integration Goals: pluralistic “ work towards a world where Sikhs may freely

practice and enjoy their faith while fostering strong relations with their local community.”

STRESS: Importance of life here in America» - no mention: Tours to Punjab» Donations accepted**

Issues Sikhs Face

PREJUDICE• TERRORIST

• Appearance– Five Articles of Faith

• Anti immigrants“Orientals” Indians

DISCRIMINATION• WHY DID YOU ATTACK US?• Taxi Cab Drivers

• Lexus• AT&T• M.T.A.

• Air Travel Discrimination• October 28,2007• Flying while Sikh

– Turban and Kesh

• Sensenbrenner-King Bill• Terwinder Kaur : Browndeer

– November 4, 2004

Gender Equality= Fundamental Principal

•Women’s Empowerment

• FEMALE FETICIDE • Selective abortion of females

» DOWERY PRATICE – lowers value of girl child

• Many links, organizations and educational materials

Programs within the Community

• LEGAL MATTERS:» Bias incident reports» Bias incident reporting

• Hate crimes• Employment discrimination• Public accommodations• Profiling• Safeguard religious freedom

• Advocacy• Encourage civic participation • Government respect or Sikh concerns

– Petitions– Rallies– Vigils– Letter writing campaigns– Congressional outreach– Civil rights reports– Meeting with governmental agencies and media outreach

OUT REACH TO PUNJABS

• SIKH GENOCIDE PROJECTInvasion: June 1984Pogroms: November 1984**And then some**

www.sikhgenocide.org

ENSAAF - JusticeEnd torture in Punjab“No one is held here without being tortured”

Community Outreach

• EDUCATION:– Distribute and create materials on Sikhs for government and

educational agencies.– Essay competitions– Library project– Department of education meetings on bias

• SIKH STUDENT ASSOCIATION

CIVIL RIGHTS PROGRAM