Navigating the Occidentalist frameworks of art
Does the West’s emphasis of the individual subvert community consciousness in the art world? UK-based artists Amrit and Rabindra Singh explain that the primacy of the individual versus other relationships does not resonate with art elites as naturally as it may for others:
“Western contemporary...
Pushing Against Discrimination in the Passport Line
A couple of days ago Darshan Singh took his six-year-old son, Gurjot, to the post office to get a U.S. passport. Unfortunately, his experience is all too familiar: postal workers refused to take Gurjot’s photo, insisting he remove his “hat”:
A Frisco father says his family’s trip...
Beyond Diversity Days
There was an interesting story recently on Cultural Diversity Day at a local middle school. In addition to featuring dancing, self-defense, and dialogues, a few speakers lectured on their experiences or cultures, including a Sikh speaker:
Wearing a bright blue turban that matched his outfit, Gurparkash...
“Sikh Turban Week” at UT Arlington
We’ve definitely covered stories on the trials and tribulations Sikhs have faced recently in Texas. I saw this and thought it would be nice to share what students at the University of Texas – Arlington are doing to help dispel ignorance around our faith community.
The line outside the University...
Surrey Gurdwara goes to court over leadership
Posted by Camille in Canada on 03 6th, 2009 | 15 Comments
We’ve talked a little bit about the Sikh Youth Slate that ran for gurdwara elections — and won — in Surrey, as well as how mainstream Canadian media was framing the event. In that election, youth won the vote with a platform promising a focus on Sikhi, community-based service, and support...
California Assemblyman Introduces Bill to Protect the Kirpan
Posted by Camille in California, News, USA on 02 27th, 2009 | Comments Off on California Assemblyman Introduces Bill to Protect the Kirpan
Assemblyman Warren Furutani (D-Long Beach) has introduced a new bill requiring awareness trainings and instruction on how to approach Sikhs for California’s law enforcement agencies and officers. If passed, California, which is home to the oldest Sikh gurdwara in the U.S. (Stockton) and one of...
The Roti Club
Photo by Howard Koplowitz.
Swaranjit Singh is running for New York City Council, representing Queens. An underdog in a new campaign for a new voting enclave, he’s running, in part, to ensure that “roti-eating people” have a voice, and a say, in New York’s politics:
“My biggest...
Gurdwara Expansion Stalls
We covered the El Sobrante Gurdwara expansion — and the subsequent PR fallout — a while ago. Earlier this week, the county halted expansion plans pending a further environmental review. Local residents filed a petition for re-review, claiming the “regional service area” proposed...
Mac Users Rejoice: iSikhi
Posted by Camille in Gurbani on 01 31st, 2009 | 3 Comments
A new Gurbani search engine has become available for Mac users on their i-paraphernalia [hat tip, Sikhnet]. SikhiToTheMax debuted a PC-compatible version a while ago, but now Mac users can also search through SGGS Ji, Dasam Granth, and portions of Bhai Gurdas Vaar on iPhone/Touch. Not having to jailbreak...
When every home is a gurdwara, when is it a home?
Is the question facing Sikhs in Oxford, England, as they try to find a central location to pray as a sangat without having to convert private property into religious property.
A religious community in Oxford is reeling after the city council ordered members of its congregation to stop worshipping at...
Our Bhalla?
Word has passed through the grapevine that a Sikh candidate is up for election as council member-at-large in the upcoming Hoboken City Council race. Meet Ravinder (“Ravi”) Bhalla, a New Jersey native and attorney currently serving as a committee member for his district. A Democrat, Bhalla...
Talking About the Kirpan
In 2006, Kawaljeet Tagore was fired for refusing to remove her kirpan. This month, she has filed a lawsuit, along with the Sikh Coalition and Becket Fund, against the IRS.
Kawaljeet Tagore, a Sikh American, sued the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) in Houston federal court on Jan. 6 claiming the IRS...
Economic Woes Deepen for Punjabi Communities
This holiday season I noticed the pinched expressions on people’s faces, the emptier stores, the going out of business sales, and the general air of unease and uncertainty as we round out of the holiday season and into a worsening (economically) new year.
Over the past few weeks, the NYT has been...
Dari envy?
Posted by Camille in Humor on 12 27th, 2008 | 31 Comments
When I was a little girl, I remember the hostile glares my father used to get as we drove together across town. Pretty much anytime the U.S. had gotten entangled in anything remotely related to Iraq, Iran, or Afghanistan between the 1970s and 80s, you could bet your bottom dollar papa would get stopped...
Chinese take-out and matinees
Are how I usually spend December 25th (unless, like this year, Gurpurab services fall on the same day). When I was younger, my family and I would spend the week of Christmas collecting items for donation, volunteering with the local soup kitchen, and generally reflecting on, and brainstorming, how we...
Beyond “moderate” and “conservative” representations of Sikhi
I like to spend winter catching up on all the reading I’ve left by the wayside, but imagine my surprise when I came across these op-eds. The first argues that the Sikh youth slate (an all amritdhari slate) that won in Surrey is “fundamentalist,” while the other article argues that Sehajdari...
Seva for a Cold Winter
Posted by Camille in California, Events, General on 12 18th, 2008 | Comments Off on Seva for a Cold Winter
For those of you in the California Central Valley, a small group of folks from the Tracy sangat will be giving out coats, blankets, and socks in Modesto, Stockton, and Tracy . If you’re in the area and would like to donate or know families in need who could benefit from some extra help this season,...
Violence and Faith
Deh Shiva bar mohe ihe / shubh karman the khabhu na taro
God, grant me this: that I will never refrain from righteous acts
na daroo ar siyoo jab jah laro / nische kar apni jeet karo
That I will fight life’s battles without fear, and will claim victory with courage
Ar Sikh hao apne hi mum ko /...
European Court of Human Rights Rules Against Sikhs
Posted by Camille in General on 12 5th, 2008 | 7 Comments
A French Sikh who appealed the ban on wearing a turban for ID-card photos was denied his right to religious practice by the European Court of Human Rights. While acknowleding that the ban interferes with religious practice, the Court argued that “public safety” overrode accommodation. As...
Heer Ranjha hits the Scottish stage
Posted by Camille in General on 11 28th, 2008 | 10 Comments
A retelling of Heer Ranjha is set to launch in Glasgow this week, and the screenwriters have done a fascinating job of trying to place the classic love story in a contemporary setting. Instead of the story of two villagers (Ranjha, who leaves his home and is hired by Heer), it’s the story of a...
