Hard Kaur (Revisited)
Updated and extended, August 9
I try not to do this too often, but I realized I may not have adequately contextualized what I was getting at when posting on Hard Kaur. I’ve tried to extend the analysis and conversation below:
I’ve been thinking about Hard Kaur (Taran Kaur Dhillon) a lot lately, primarily because I’ve been flirting with the idea of buying her debut album, Supawoman. Hard Kaur is a tricky personality for me. On one hand, girlfriend has overcome the adversity of her hard knock life as a pioneer in her field. On the other hand, her conflation of Sikh and Punjabi identity, her often unimpressive rapping, and her totally not-Sikhi-friendly lyrics make me reconsider her as a role model. Is she an emblem for Sikh women’s empowerment, or perhaps just a symbol for women of color artists? Her moniker and image are dramatically at odds with one another. So what do we embrace, or eschew, from her, and can we negotiate how this works for young Sikh women?
Many point to HK’s intense image and claim that she is not a Sikh role-model, and others would claim she’s not a particularly good role model for other young women, either. I agree with the former and disagree with the latter (more after the jump).
HK has been pretty clear about stating that, while raised in a Sikh household, she does not identify with Sikhi or as a Sikh. However, her interviews indicate a connection and affiliation with being nationally Indian, and culturally Punjabi and Sikh. This gave me pause; what does it mean to be “culturally Sikh”? Often in debates around the ills that plague the Sikh community, those of us who identify as Punjabi Sikh separate Punjabi identity as our “cultural” backdrop and Sikhi as our “religious” identity. I would argue that a third category has formed because of our unique identity as a diasporic nation; we now see a growing number of “cultural Sikhs” who do not necessarily claim or identify with the religion or religious community itself. Unlike “Singh,” Kaur is a wholly Sikh name; you don’t mean non-Sikhs who have this as a family name or otherwise. What does it mean, then, to go by the name “Kaur” when you don’t identify with the practice and philosophy behind it?
Could it be that HK is emblematic of that third “category” as someone who identifies with a cultural experience, but not the religious background? There are many vectors across which we could deconstruct her image as an artist and as a female rapper/MC, and there’s a lot of room for analysis in terms of her role in a male-dominated industry. I don’t think it’s worth wasting our time arguing over whether she is a Kaur or not, but I do think it’s worth asking how her high-profile (and ever-growing) personality impacts the identities of Sikhs who are religious, and of individuals who may not identify as Sikh but may have been raised in Sikh homes.
5 Responses to “Hard Kaur (Revisited)”
By Sundeep Singh on Aug 7, 2008 at 4:04 pm | Quote
One can easily imagine the total decline of the Sikh panth when a nonsikh like HardKaur is a role model for young Sikh women. The feminism of sexiness as empowering is not only a trap but completely at odds with the Guru’s notions of feminism involving inner strength, grace, and dignity. Not to mention that a Sikh should have someone as a role model who is at least kind of in line with the Guru’s teachings rather than someone who completely promotes the opposite at every turn.
Besides the numerous female role models in history (which are not mentioned enough, if you wish to read sakhis about them I recommend Macauliffe’s books on the Sikh dharm) there are many modern day role models. The leaders of Kaurs United being an example. If you prefer singers, here’s an inspiring one: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JqGy5J_mkbI.
Role models abound in everyday life, one must simply take off their blinders and note that a person need not be famous (not that you’re saying they do, some people just think like that). The strength shown by one woman, the grace of another, the knowledge of a third, can all combine to be role models of living the qualities that one wishes to possess.
By what's in a name on Aug 8, 2008 at 7:58 am | Quote
sometimes life kicks you so much that you need a release…
that release isn’t always a good one…
people do what they have to in order to breath… and survive…
they’re entitled to live the way they need to…
yeah I’m not sure I’d be looking at her as a ‘Sikh’ role model…but I think strength and perseverance should be admired
By mel on Aug 9, 2008 at 2:19 am | Quote
i lurve hard kaur.. she is super hawt.. hard kaur rocks!..!
By harinder on Aug 9, 2008 at 7:46 am | Quote
I think she is good and rocks.
She is so well adapted to her surroundings not behaving like some of us would say ” HOLIER THAN THOUGH ATTITUDE”.
Past woman may have lessons for us but they cannot be our passport to future.
We got to live in present with an eye on future and not in Past glory.
By Holier on Aug 12, 2008 at 2:26 pm | Quote
@Harinder: It’s THOU, not THOUGH. Elementary. school.