Sikh Experience in the U.S.: More Than What You Think: Cultural Event

On Wednesday April 30^th I attended the Conversations on Diversity. This was held in the BMU in room 120. The discussion was titled “Sikh Experience in the U.S.: More Than What You Think.” There was a few speakers there, but the main one was Rajuir. I went to this discussion not knowing anything about the topic unlike many of the other discussions I attended. This is the one discussion I learned the most from I think.

Sikh is a religion founded by Guru Nanak. It is based upon three things meditate on the holy name which is Waheguru or “The Wonderful Teacher” as it is translated, work diligently and honestly, and share one's fruits. This religion was different from many of the main religious that they tried not to put their beliefs on you, but rather cared that you embraced God and truly believed in him. They really do not care what religious background you are from, they accept all people. They are very much about service and doing things for others.

Because of the 9/11 attacks we have a very stereotypical view of what a terrorist is. Because the Sikhs wear the turbans they are often mistaken as Muslims or even terrorist members of the Taliban. Because of this there are many things happening to them all across the world and here in the U.S. such as hate crimes.

We need to get rid of these stereotypes that we have because they just aren’t true. It makes us in the U.S. look bad because we keep treating people horribly because of what they look like and what we believe because of bad perception of these people.