Sikh Author, 17 In Marysville

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You can't talk about being Sikh in America without mentioning the Yuba City area.

So says Harkirat Hansra, 17-year-old author of "Liberty at Stake: The Most Visible, yet Misunderstood, Minority of America."

Hansra, who lives in Sacramento, will speak about his book and sign copies at Amicus Books in Marysville today.

His long-awaited appearance at the new-and-used books store will be a first, in terms of its subject matter and the age of the author.

Kara Davis, one of the store's owners, said she had to schedule a date with the high school senior seven months in advance, because he has been so busy with SATs and college applications.

"It was very intense," she said, laughing about the process of nailing down a free couple of hours.

Hansra said inspiration for his book came during a backlash in the aftermath of 9/11 against Muslims and people who resembled Muslims.

At the time, the teenager was just entering middle school.

A stranger in a shopping mall parking lot shouted, "Terrorist — go back to Afghanistan." Hansra said. "That was a shock."

Especially, he said, since his cultural ancestry is neither Afghani nor Islamic.

Sikhism produces more benign confusion too, said Hansra, who has straightened out countless schoolmates about the differences between his culture and others.

Davis said she received a call a few days ago from an area resident who had seen a flier about Hansra's upcoming appearance in Marysville, and was interested in attending.

"I understand you'll be having a young Hindu boy there," the conversation began, according to Davis.

"A lot of people around here do know their Sikhs," she said.

But apparently, there's still some confusion.

Hansra's book, he said, is part of his ongoing mission to educate fellow Americans about the Sikh religion and Punjabi culture.

-By Nancy Pasternack/Appeal-Democrat

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