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California’s State Legislature has proclaimed November to be Sikh American Awareness and Appreciation Month, formally acknowledging the contributions California’s Sikhs have made to the Golden State. Sikh Americans across the state now have an opportunity to educate neighbors, teachers, colleagues, and friends about our religion, our shared values, and the part we’ve played in American […]

California’s State Legislature has proclaimed November to be Sikh American Awareness and Appreciation Month, formally acknowledging the contributions California’s Sikhs have made to the Golden State. Sikh Americans across the state now have an opportunity to educate neighbors, teachers, colleagues, and friends about our religion, our shared values, and the part we’ve played in American history since 1899, in a high-profile way.

This chance to educate is far more important than many realize. Even those who may see and recognize a Sikh every day do not know much about their Sikh American neighbors, co-workers, and even friends. As the Sikh American Legal Defense and Education Fund (SALDEF) found in its 2013 study, Turban Myths, conducted in partnership with researchers from Stanford University, 70 percent of Americans cannot identify a man wearing a turban as a Sikh American. In fact, one in five respondents who sees a turbaned stranger said they feel anger or apprehension towards them. This bias is further reinforced by the media.

The required understanding and education have created positive discourse led to change. For example, the NCAA now allows players with religious headgear to participate in the highest levels of collegiate sport, and police departments like Washington DC’s MPD allow officers to serve with their articles of faith intact.

Considering Education as a powerful tool, they create a strong sense of respect from all the communities.
As a mothers wish a better future for their son — a future where they can not only pursue any career with their turban and beard intact, but also where they are appreciated for what they adds to the fabric of American society.

Americans should see their turban and smile, letting it stand for freedom and justice rather than suspicion and mistrust.

Education empowers individuals to create change and ACR 147 gives us the platform to do just that.

~ by Sumeet Kaur Bal
~ Source: http://theaerogram.com/