Dreadlocks, Turbans, and Rollercoaster Racism
Living in Brooklyn, New York City as a turban-wearing Sikh, I attract plenty of negative attention from random strangers as well as the cops, which I’ve written about at length.  Fortunately, I also get some love and respect from time to time as I walk or ride my bike in my neighborhood in central...
Bhujangi Youth Academy 2012 – REGISTER NOW!
Last year the Jakara Movement held the first ever Bhujangi Youth Academy camp, aimed at young “at-risk” Sikh males, ages 13-17.  It was a HUGE success.  You can see the previous description and reflections write-up from last year. This year the camp is happening again. WHEN: July 15-24, 2012 WHERE:...
Gold Medalist – Man Kaur (95)
Olympic season will soon be upon us.  This year the Games will be held in London.  Hopefully we’ll be able to feature biographies on a number of our Sikh athletes that will be competing. While Fauja Singh has become a celebrity in our community, he is not alone. Man Kaur, aged 95, of Chandigarh...
Sikhs challenging racial profiling
Photo courtesy of the Sikh Coalition My Facebook news feed and email inbox have been buzzing with discussion and calls to action to challenge racial profiling and, in particular, the NYPD’s infamous “stop and frisk” policy.  I was happy to receive multiple emails today on the issue...
Sikhs in the White House
Co-blogged by Sundari and American Turban Courtesy: The Sikh Coalition Likely unbeknownst to many Sikhs, last Friday marked a historic moment for America’s Sikh community. Around 7:30am on that day, about 50 people representing Sikh communities from across the country – California, Texas,...
Building Begampura: Confronting Caste
Caste is one of those dark secrets in our community.  Some defend it as “culture”, others downplay its discriminatory effects, and some go even as far as to blame the victims of the violence itself. Many have documented the ongoing apartheid that exists in our villages and in our minds. Some scholars...
#10DaysofTerror
Guest blogged by @NSYF (National Sikh Youth Federation) The Sikh community in the UK is once again preparing to mark the anniversary of the June 1984 Indian army invasion of their holiest place of worship. Harmandir Sahib, also known as the Golden Temple located in Amritsar, was invaded in an unprecedented...