Blue-turbanned Sikh at the first presidential debate

sardar_at_first_presidential_debate.pngWere you watching the Presidential debate last Friday? Did you catch flashes of a sardar in a blue turban? I assume that anyone who did was equally as surprised as I was (though happily so). Well, who is the mystery man? He’s Arvinder Singh Kang, a twenty five year old who was the only Punjabi, and the only Sikh at the University of Mississipi when he came from Punjab to do a graduate degree.

I came to the U.S. in the fall of 2005, as a graduate student at the University of Mississippi. From a proud Sikh family, I was the first kid from my village and from my maternal and paternal lineage to come to America for studies.

I brought twenty-something Puggs (turbans). I knew Japji Sahib by heart and had been exposed to Sikh history more than I had been to comics. All through my undergrad years, I had taught my juniors how to wear a turban. There was no doubt, whatever the circumstances might be, I would always be a Turbanator!

While boarding a plane from London’s Gatwick Airport, I sat beside a Sikh girl living in Houston who was born and raised in London. “…So it’s going to be hard to keep a turban in university”, she said in a lovely British accent.

“Much nee te kuch nee!” (What’s a man without a mustache) I had quipped. [link]

You can read more from Arvinder at Sikhchic.


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16 Responses to “Blue-turbanned Sikh at the first presidential debate”

  1. Darsh says:

    There was also an image of the Sikh in the new movie by Bill Maher, Religulous. The clip they played on the Daily Show with Jon Stewart had a brief image of a Sikh. I wonder if that individual played a role in the film at all.

  2. sikhpath says:

    It is ironic that the sardarji stands right behind Sean Hannity and the hardcore right wing of the world, Fox News. Perhaps a picture that speaks more than a million worlds. This year I saw two sardars with black turbans during a McCain debate. Then I saw another older gora Sikh during Obama's speech somewhere a while ago. It is always great to get that glimpse of a pugh and our Sikh community.

  3. saihaj says:

    sikhpath, not sure why it is ironic or surprising to see a sardar supporting the right wing. Sikhs are just as diverse in their political beliefs as any other community. In my own community, many Sikhs are actually Republicans – they tend to support the fiscal policies of that party.

  4. Sundari says:

    Yes, i saw that clip mentioned by Darsh too. I think he was just part of the community the 'scientologist' was preaching to.

  5. Reema says:

    Sikhpath-

    It is always great to get that glimpse of a pugh and our Sikh community.

    Agreed! It's great to see that we have a presence at these events!

    Darsh and Sundari- I remember that image from the Daily Show- I'm checking the movie (Religulous) out tomorrow so I can say for sure after that, but from the short clip, he just looked like a passer-by who stopped to watch the crazed man (Bill Maher) yell (things that followers of Scientology actually believe- for those who didn't see the clip)… we'll see what his role in the movie was, but it was still great to see a Sikh on a Daily Show clip …

  6. sikhpath says:

    It is ironic that the sardarji stands right behind Sean Hannity and the hardcore right wing of the world, Fox News. Perhaps a picture that speaks more than a million worlds. This year I saw two sardars with black turbans during a McCain debate. Then I saw another older gora Sikh during Obama’s speech somewhere a while ago. It is always great to get that glimpse of a pugh and our Sikh community.

  7. saihaj says:

    sikhpath, not sure why it is ironic or surprising to see a sardar supporting the right wing. Sikhs are just as diverse in their political beliefs as any other community. In my own community, many Sikhs are actually Republicans – they tend to support the fiscal policies of that party.

  8. Darsh says:

    There was also an image of the Sikh in the new movie by Bill Maher, Religulous. The clip they played on the Daily Show with Jon Stewart had a brief image of a Sikh. I wonder if that individual played a role in the film at all.

  9. Sundari says:

    Yes, i saw that clip mentioned by Darsh too. I think he was just part of the community the ‘scientologist’ was preaching to.

  10. Reema says:

    Sikhpath-

    It is always great to get that glimpse of a pugh and our Sikh community.

    Agreed! It’s great to see that we have a presence at these events!

    Darsh and Sundari- I remember that image from the Daily Show- I’m checking the movie (Religulous) out tomorrow so I can say for sure after that, but from the short clip, he just looked like a passer-by who stopped to watch the crazed man (Bill Maher) yell (things that followers of Scientology actually believe- for those who didn’t see the clip)… we’ll see what his role in the movie was, but it was still great to see a Sikh on a Daily Show clip …

  11. Sirinam Singh Khalsa says:

    I really enjoyed reading the article written by the Sikh comedian in last weeks NEWSWEEK-MY TURN. "Educating people about my religion through comedy."

    Wahe Guru

  12. Sirinam Singh Khalsa says:

    I really enjoyed reading the article written by the Sikh comedian in last weeks NEWSWEEK-MY TURN. “Educating people about my religion through comedy.”

    Wahe Guru

  13. sikhpath says:

    I am personally a libertarian and many in my family are Republicans also due to fiscal principles. However, I was speaking more of Fox News and how they often use a very biased view in their reporting. I meant to disrespect for a republican Sikh at all. I apologize for not clarifying myself.

  14. sikhpath says:

    I am personally a libertarian and many in my family are Republicans also due to fiscal principles. However, I was speaking more of Fox News and how they often use a very biased view in their reporting. I meant to disrespect for a republican Sikh at all. I apologize for not clarifying myself.

  15. jenny says:

    I think this board is really great and the fact that it's remained friendly is great

  16. jenny says:

    I think this board is really great and the fact that it’s remained friendly is great