Racism in the USA

[GurjantGnostic]

1 minute ago, dallysingh101 said:

I've spoke to fair few black brothers and sisters about Sikhi over the years. It was never a contrived conversation  but came about when talking about spirituality and history. Once I went to this young brother's house I working with on a site for my lunch break (he lived around the corner), I was shocked to see he had books on Gurmat there amongst his collection. He told me his father was a practising rastafarian (although he was a mona). 

When you talk about Sikhi and our colonial experience, they understand more than many others. When you tell them about how we went from being hunted down by the most powerful empire of the time, with prices put on our heads, hiding in jungles to survive - to becoming sovereigns, within 70 odd years, many find it inspiring.  

One shortfall I find however is that they see islam as successfully challenging white hegemony and racism in a brave way, whereas some of our lot are only starting to do this on a corporate level recently by challenging the police and protecting 'Sikh spaces' like Gurdwaras and melas (not saying that Sikh brothers weren't directly confronting violent racists in the UK a few decades ago though). It's funny how our community was actively involved in challenging racism in the 60s/70s/80s but went all kumbha yaa as soon as it quietened down for a minute, and failed to teach their kids about that time  - which looks like it's left many younguns shocked at the re-emergence of the far right agenda in europe. 

Mmm. Ground is very ripe to help them move from so called abrahamic systems. All but the best bastions of it at the very least. 

[dallysingh101]

2 minutes ago, GurjantGnostic said:

Mmm. Ground is very ripe to help them move from so called abrahamic systems. All but the best bastions of it at the very least. 

Another thing folks need to realise is that whilst many (not all!) people born in the community see things like going to the Gurdwara as a chore, and learning stuff like Gurmukhi and exploring shabad 'boring' other communities are likely to see it like I imagine many of our ancestors who originally stepped into this panth did, as refreshing, and inspiring and something to get deeper into.  Same with the musical traditions. 

[Premi5]

53 minutes ago, dallysingh101 said:

Another thing folks need to realise is that whilst many (not all!) people born in the community see things like going to the Gurdwara as a chore, and learning stuff like Gurmukhi and exploring shabad 'boring' other communities are likely to see it like I imagine many of our ancestors who originally stepped into this panth did, as refreshing, and inspiring and something to get deeper into.  Same with the musical traditions. 

It's a lot to do with the old 'fuddy duddys' in the committees worrying about younger types getting influence ? The same younger types who understand better what will attract the youth to Gurdware/Sikhi

For example, young kids would want to go Gurdwara more for 'fun' activities, like sports and martial arts, langar with 'fun' food, good storytelling. 

How are Muslims (e.g. Paks and Bengalis in the UK) so successful in making many of their kids learn Arabic and attend Mosque ?

[dallysingh101]

1 hour ago, Premi5 said:

How do Muslims (e.g. Paks and Bengalis in the UK) make so many of their kids learn Arabic and attend Mosque ?

Majority influence. A recognised psychological phenomena.

 

majority influence

social pressure exerted by the greater part of a group on individual members and smaller factions within the group. The majority tends to push for conformity and stability, and members usually respond to this either by accepting the majority’s position as their own (conversion) or by conforming publicly but retaining their own position privately (compliance).     

I remember a time when I was young when many peers around me didn't like it and avoided it if possible. But it must be said, their parchaar was hard hitting, and interestingly in E.London it actually started by being vocal against the very 'bhangra culture' (which all 'asians' loved back then) that causes havoc amongst our lot to this day. They saw that as degenerating their community. They developed that sense of 'us versus them' very strongly.  Then political events (that largely stem from western attempts to control oil rich muslim countries) further created a sense of alienation that drew them together. Plus a lot of young males are actually (albeit initially resentfully) attracted to hard discipline - even if they hate it at the time. Later they see it's benefits.  

Interestingly when I was very young, Panjabi classes where quite packed out, I guess a lot of people were made to attend by their parents. Myself, I went just to get out of the house probably and meet other Sikhs in a minority area.  It's not like it was all kumbh baa yaa though, arguments and bullying did occur. The kids of rich parents would act obnoxiously etc. Some of them were very badly behaved. 

1 hour ago, Premi5 said:

It's a lot to do with the old 'fuddy duddys' in the committees worrying about younger types getting influence ? The same younger types who understand better what will attract the youth to Gurdware/Sikhi

For example, young kids would want to go Gurdwara more for 'fun' activities, like sports and martial arts, langar with 'fun' food, good storytelling. 

I fully agree here. Though looking back, efforts were made when I was younger actually (not the food bit though - that came later). There were karate classes in the 80s, music classes, later kickboxing, gatka, weight training etc. Trips to teh seaside and places occasionally happened. I know that Seven Kings Gurdwara (Karamsaar) had a guy who was an IT professional who taught for free at one point. A few people got into the industry that way.

I have to say Sikhi parchaar was quite puerile in the past and didn't really relate to the kids or even young adults everyday experiences or relate to the geo-politics around us - that's one of the reasons why Bhai Jagraj SIngh quickly became so popular in my opinion. Also that looking down on monas by keshdharis was common too, almost normalised.  We had bazurag bibian collecting there and turning it into a gossip shop too, lol! Our lot don't seem to see the youth as the future of the panth and every little change that comes seems to have to be fought for for ages.   

 

Just to contextualise it, the kids karate classes in the 80s which packed out the Gurdwara, was shut down when the teacher wanted to broaden membership to nonSikhs, the gym shut down because the older committee got scared of younger influence (it actually provided security and had young guys attended on days when the Gurdwara was otherwise empty) and some bibi saying she didn't feel safe bringing her daughter there with all these young Sikh blokes about....... 

I have nonmuslim teacher friends and they now have jobs teaching females ESOL at mosques now, that's how far they've got. A mosque is being built near me as we speak and some of the guys working on it are apnay. 

[5aaban]

https://foresthillspost.com/two-sikh-men-attacked-tuesday-in-same-richmond-hill-spot-where-sikh-elder-was-assaulted-last-week

Two Sikh Men Attacked Tuesday in Same Richmond Hill Spot Where Sikh Elder Was Assaulted Last Week

April 12, 2022 By Allie Griffin

Two Sikh men were assaulted in Richmond Hill Tuesday morning in the same location where a 70-year-old Sikh man was assaulted just over a week ago, according to residents and social media footage.

The men were reportedly attacked near the corner of Lefferts Boulevard and 95^th Avenue — the same spot where the 70-year-old was punched in the face by a stranger on April 3.

Local community members shared details of today’s assault on Instagram. The NYPD, however, was unable to confirm the assault by the time of publication.

Sikh community leaders in Richmond Hill condemned the assault and called it an act of hatred.

“This is the exact fear we had when this happened last week,” Japneet Singh, local community leader and a candidate for State Senate, wrote on Instagram. “Same location, same intersection, same act of HATE.’

Singh posted a video showing the apparent aftermath of the assault. One man can be seen holding his eye and another is sitting on the sidewalk surrounded by police officers and firefighters.

The two men were taken to Jamaica Hospital Medical Center for treatment and are in good spirits, according to Singh.

Singh said the Sikh community — many of whom call Richmond Hill home — is being targeted and called on state and city leaders to address the issue.

“This is disgusting behavior, and it’s clear the Sikh community is being deliberately targeted,” he wrote. “Calling on @govkathyhochul @nycspeakeradams @nycmayor @queensdakatz to address this ASAP!’

Police are investigating the assault last week as a hate crime and have released photos of the suspect in that case. It’s unclear if the same person is responsible for both attacks.

One person has been arrested in connection to Tuesday’s attack, Singh said.

[GurjantGnostic]

23 minutes ago, 5aaban said:

https://foresthillspost.com/two-sikh-men-attacked-tuesday-in-same-richmond-hill-spot-where-sikh-elder-was-assaulted-last-week

Two Sikh Men Attacked Tuesday in Same Richmond Hill Spot Where Sikh Elder Was Assaulted Last Week

April 12, 2022 By Allie Griffin

Two Sikh men were assaulted in Richmond Hill Tuesday morning in the same location where a 70-year-old Sikh man was assaulted just over a week ago, according to residents and social media footage.

The men were reportedly attacked near the corner of Lefferts Boulevard and 95^th Avenue — the same spot where the 70-year-old was punched in the face by a stranger on April 3.

Local community members shared details of today’s assault on Instagram. The NYPD, however, was unable to confirm the assault by the time of publication.

Sikh community leaders in Richmond Hill condemned the assault and called it an act of hatred.

“This is the exact fear we had when this happened last week,” Japneet Singh, local community leader and a candidate for State Senate, wrote on Instagram. “Same location, same intersection, same act of HATE.’

Singh posted a video showing the apparent aftermath of the assault. One man can be seen holding his eye and another is sitting on the sidewalk surrounded by police officers and firefighters.

The two men were taken to Jamaica Hospital Medical Center for treatment and are in good spirits, according to Singh.

Singh said the Sikh community — many of whom call Richmond Hill home — is being targeted and called on state and city leaders to address the issue.

“This is disgusting behavior, and it’s clear the Sikh community is being deliberately targeted,” he wrote. “Calling on @govkathyhochul @nycspeakeradams @nycmayor @queensdakatz to address this ASAP!’

Police are investigating the assault last week as a hate crime and have released photos of the suspect in that case. It’s unclear if the same person is responsible for both attacks.

One person has been arrested in connection to Tuesday’s attack, Singh said.

Hit em with Kirpan everyone will know who a Sikh is then. Because the news will have to go into what Sikhi is and why we have Kirpan. 

 

 

[SinghPunjabSingh]

3 hours ago, GurjantGnostic said:

Hit em with Kirpan everyone will know who a Sikh is then. Because the news will have to go into what Sikhi is and why we have Kirpan.

Yes I guess where "concealed carry permits" aren't issued a Kirpan is the next best thing but then again all Sikhs regardless of Amritdhari, Kesdhari or Sehajdhari should always have something with which to defend themselves with even if some of the elders just carry bear spray (as an example).

But more importantly, the community can hopefully turns these recent negatives into a positive via greater parchaar to the local community, an increased focus on how Sikhs can uplift the Richmond Hills NY community above and beyond all the great work that they did during the height of the Covid Pandemic and additionally the American born members of the Sangat need to get involved with mentoring student members of racially discriminated demographics locally.

https://asamnews.com/2021/02/26/over-the-past-few-decades-the-indian-community-has-grown-in-richmond-hill-and-has-had-a-significant-influence-on-the-area/

Whilst Sikhs are indeed the victims of racially motivated hate incidents I feel we shouldn't lose sight of the fact that without Reparations (to equalise academic and health outcomes between both main communities on both sides of the TransAtlantic Christian Slave Trade - namely White and African American) then racism against Sikhs in the USA pales into significance when considered against the discrimination meted out to African Americans as a 40million strong community that has been impacted by Slavery and inter-generational trauma for hundreds of years and who are all natural born Sikhs if we reach out and educate them about how Sikhi is the only faith that condemns Slavery (unlike Christianity and Islam which both condone it).

[GurjantGnostic]

1 hour ago, SinghPunjabSingh said:

Yes I guess where "concealed carry permits" aren't issued a Kirpan is the next best thing but then again all Sikhs regardless of Amritdhari, Kesdhari or Sehajdhari should have something with which to defend themselves with if some of the elders just carry bear spray (as an example).

But more importantly, the community can hopefully turns these recent negatives into a positive via greater parchaar to the local community, an increased focus on how Sikhs can uplift the Richmond Hills NY community above and beyond all the great work that they did during the height of the Covid Pandemic and additionally the American born members of the Sangat need to get involved with mentoring student members of racially discriminated demographics locally.

Whilst Sikhs are indeed the victims of racially motivated hate incidents I feel we shouldn't lose sight of the fact that without reparations (to equalise academic and health outcomes between the three main non-Sikh communities - White, Hispanic and African American) then racism against Sikhs in the USA pales into significance when considered against the discrimination meted out to African Americans as a 40million strong community.

I agree. I was demoralized by the fact that this just happened, and apparently nothing changed in our mindset. No parchar, no awareness, no weapons, no nothing bro. So I didn't want to repeat Parchar again as advice to the Sikhs in that area that have neglected to do so for two decades. 

[Jassu]

I’m starting to think Gurjant is a black dude. For real.

[GurjantGnostic]

5 hours ago, Jassu said:

I’m starting to think Gurjant is a black dude. For real.

Hah. We had a pool going. You win. ...for real. Lol.